Just a week after the massive Dota 2 7.38 update, Valve has released patch 7.38b to address balance issues and bring overpowered heroes in line. This latest update, launched on March 4, introduces several hero nerfs, item adjustments, and refinements to neutral items, aiming to create a more competitive and fair gameplay experience.
Patch 7.38b Overview
After the major shake-up from patch 7.38, it quickly became evident that some heroes had gained a significant advantage over others. With patch 7.38b, Valve has swung the balance hammer, nerfing several dominant heroes and refining neutral items to create a more even playing field.
Key highlights of this update include:
- Significant nerfs to Dragon Knight and Abaddon
- Adjustments to neutral items following their system overhaul
- Buffs to a handful of underperforming heroes
- General gameplay improvements and item tweaks
Let’s take a closer look at the major changes introduced in Dota 2 patch 7.38b.
Hero Nerfs: Dragon Knight and Abaddon Hit Hard
Some of the biggest changes in this update target Dragon Knight and Abaddon, two heroes that have been dominating the meta since patch 7.38.
Dragon Knight
Dragon Knight’s Fire Dragon form, which was widely picked, received substantial reductions. The AoE stun radius of Dragon Tail has been nearly halved, making it less effective in crowd control. Additionally, magic damage from his dragon attacks has been reduced by 40% at all levels, significantly lowering his damage output.
Abaddon
Abaddon also received multiple nerfs across his entire skillset.
- Aphotic Shield now has a shorter duration and costs more mana.
- Mist Coil deals less damage and has a reduced cast range.
- Borrowed Time (Aghanim’s Scepter Upgrade) no longer covers the entire screen, making his ultimate significantly weaker in large fights.
These adjustments aim to curb the dominance of these heroes while still keeping them viable.
Additional Hero Adjustments
Aside from Dragon Knight and Abaddon, other heroes also received balancing tweaks:
- Jakiro: Ice Path’s duration was shortened, and its cooldown increased.
- Lifestealer: His base agility was reduced, lowering his attack speed.
- Tidehunter: His Anchor Smash damage reduction was significantly lowered.
- Tiny: The Grow ability’s bonus armor was reduced, making him more vulnerable in fights.
- Venomancer: Venomous Gale’s slow effect was weakened, making it less oppressive in the laning phase.
In total, over two dozen heroes were adjusted, helping to restore balance to the competitive landscape.
Neutral Item Changes
With the overhaul of neutral items in patch 7.38, some adjustments were expected in 7.38b. Twenty neutral artifacts were modified to ensure better gameplay balance.
- Mana Draught (Tier 1): Mana restoration was halved, making it less powerful in the early game.
- Pig Pole: Movement speed bonus increased, but its duration was shortened.
- Pollywog Charm: Duration extended, making it more useful in fights.
- Iron Talon: Cooldown reduced, improving jungle efficiency.
- Brigand’s Blade: Increased the damage dealt based on enemy health, making it a stronger offensive tool.
Some of these buffs and nerfs aim to refine the effectiveness of neutral items in different game phases.
Item Tweaks
Several core items also received changes in patch 7.38b:
- Eye of Skadi: Slowed melee enemies more effectively, making it a stronger counter against tanky heroes.
- Glimmer Cape: Movement speed was reduced, and its mana cost was increased.
- Heaven’s Halberd: No longer requires a Ring of Regen, slightly adjusting its build path.
- Bloodthorn: Attack speed bonus reduced to +95 (previously +100).
- Khanda: Empower spell duration increased, improving its utility in extended fights.
These tweaks refine the strengths and weaknesses of key items, ensuring they remain viable without being overpowered.
New Map Rotation and Ascent Changes
The patch also introduced a new map rotation, swapping Abyss and Bind out for Icebox and Ascent. While the rotation was already known, Ascent received a slight rework, altering the B Main wall in B Lane to reduce bullet penetration. This change impacts site defenses and attack strategies, encouraging new approaches to gameplay.
Biggest Buffs in Patch 7.38b
While this update mainly focused on nerfs, some heroes did receive buffs to help them stay competitive:
- Brewmaster: Increased Thunder Clap duration, improving his crowd control.
- Keeper of the Light: Illuminate Heal boosted, enhancing his team support role.
- Primal Beast: Increased Uproar stacks per debuff, giving him more sustain in fights.
These buffs should encourage more diverse hero picks in upcoming matches.
Final Thoughts: How Patch 7.38b Affects the Meta
Patch 7.38b delivers much-needed adjustments to bring overpowered heroes in check while refining item and neutral mechanics. With Dragon Knight, Abaddon, and Tiny seeing substantial nerfs, we can expect a shift in hero priorities at high-level play.
Meanwhile, buffed heroes like Brewmaster and Keeper of the Light could see more playtime. With a fresh map rotation and adjusted item balance, the next few weeks will reveal how these changes impact professional and casual gameplay.
Dota 2’s ever-evolving meta keeps things fresh, and with patch 7.38b now live, players will need to adjust their strategies to stay ahead.
