On the evening of March 4th, Valve released balance update 7.38b, adjusting numerous heroes and items. This article highlights the main changes introduced in this patch.
Patch 7.38 significantly increased the importance of the Tormentor, making it the sole objective on the map that spawns at 15 minutes. In patch 7.38, defeating it granted a team 1250 gold and an Aghanim’s Shard worth 1400 gold, totaling 2650 gold at the 15-minute mark, providing a substantial early-game advantage.
Valve recognized that the Tormentor was too rewarding and decided to weaken it. In 7.38b, the gold reward for killing the Tormentor has been reduced to 2275 gold from 2650. Additionally, defeating the Tormentor has become more challenging as developers increased the Unyielding Shield’s damage absorption.
- Gold for allies upon killing Tormentor reduced from 250 to 175.
- Tormentor’s Unyielding Shield: base damage absorption increased from 1900 to 2100.
Despite community expectations, Valve did not improve the healing provided after defeating the Tormentor.
A change to Glimmer Cape was long overdue. This support item became excessively powerful, leading to its purchase on various roles and heroes. It was surprising that patch 7.38 left it untouched. According to data, Glimmer Cape was among the top 10 most popular items recently.
Patch 7.38b finally addresses this, nerfing Glimmer Cape without rendering it useless. It’s expected to be less common on core heroes but remain a viable option for supports. It still provides magic resistance and invisibility, which remains strong, especially at lower ranks.
Orb of Corrosion became a key early-game item for carry heroes in patch 7.38 due to its +8 agility bonus. Many cores like Ember Spirit, Lifestealer, Abaddon, Phantom Assassin, and Slark started purchasing it. Patch 7.38b slightly reduced the agility bonus to +7, making it fairer but still worthwhile.
Patch 7.38b also adjusted many neutral items. A significant nerf targeted Gale Guard, a Tier 3 item providing a barrier, damage reduction, and slow resistance upon activation. Its barrier was reduced from 400 to 250. While less overpowered, Gale Guard remains strong and a good defensive choice, potentially making other Tier 3 items more appealing to core heroes.
Abaddon’s pick rate surged to 17-18% after patch 7.38, becoming a meta offlaner, support, and even carry. His win rate hovered around 57%. Patch 7.38b significantly weakened Abaddon by nerfing Mephitic Shroud, Mist Coil, Aphotic Shield, and his ultimate. This may push him out of the meta, as his win rate has already decreased by about 2% in less than a day.
Dragon Knight has been meta for a while. Despite changes in 7.38, he became even more powerful and bug-ridden, dealing double magic damage and applying Wyrm’s Wrath to allies. Patch 7.38b significantly nerfed “red” Dragon Knight, reducing the stun radius of Fire Dragon’s Dragon Tail and nerfing magic damage from his passive. This might finally remove “red” DK from the meta.
Invoker with the Agent of Gallaron aspect, focused on Exort, became meta in 7.38. “Cataclysm” (Sun Strike) empowered by Aghanim’s Scepter was central to this build. Patch 7.38b nerfed Sun Strike and its Aghanim’s Shard bonus. While needed, some find it surprising that Chaos Meteor wasn’t also adjusted, as the combination with Rod of Atos, Sun Strike, and Chaos Meteor is considered very strong and frustrating.
Developers attempted to buff other Invoker aspects to reduce Agent of Gallaron’s dominance, which is picked in over 95% of games. However, these changes seem insufficient to shift the meta away from Exort Invoker.
Jakiro, the new top support, replacing Lich, received a nerf to Ice Breaker, reducing stun duration and increasing cooldown. This nerf impacts both Jakiro and his synergy with Dark Seer, popular in esports. This nerf was expected and considered fair. It remains to be seen if Jakiro will remain a top support.
Valve buffed Kez in 7.38b after multiple nerfs caused his win rate to plummet. Buffs to several abilities have increased his win rate, offering hope for his return to the meta.
Lifestealer, a top carry, was heavily nerfed in 7.38b, targeting his ultimate with Aghanim’s Scepter and Feast health bonus, along with a base agility reduction. This might push Lifestealer out of the meta, as his win rate has already decreased. This nerf could benefit Troll Warlord, as there’s now one less meta carry who counters his ultimate.
Magnus was buffed in 7.38, receiving useful aspect changes that increased his pick and win rates. Eternal Empowerment gave him carry potential, and Diminishing Return enabled magic Magnus in other roles. Patch 7.38b nerfed both Magnus versions, which may slightly decrease his win rate but are not critical.
Nature’s Prophet became versatile in 7.38, played in various roles including carry. He was a top-four picked carry recently. Patch 7.38b nerfs seem to target his support role, nerfing his ultimate and related talents. His carry strength might be unaffected.
Tidehunter was a popular and high win rate offlaner in 7.38. Patch 7.38b expectedly nerfed him, weakening Anchor Smash and Dead in the Water. It’s uncertain if these nerfs will remove him from the meta, but his win rate is likely to decrease.
Patch 7.38b is the first balance patch after the major 7.38 update.
अमित धवन