As expected, Icefrog has released the 7.02 patch for Dota 2. The patch is a small balancing update that focuses mainly on buffing and nerfing hero talent trees. There have also been some changes to the map to keep the balance between Radiant and Dire. Let’s get into it and see who the winners and losers of the 7.02 patch are.

The Winners of the patch

Balancing both sides of the coin

Prior to the release of the new patch, there were several reasons that Radiant had an advantage over Dire. Icefrog has taken steps to return the balance by making a few quality of life changes.

* The following abilities cause neutrals to temporarily not draw aggro: Meat Hook, Telekinesis and Toss

* Added more trees for TP cover around the dire towers

* Swapped the dire secondary jungle ancients and medium camp spots (and improved spawn boxes/stackability)

* The Dire ward spot to the left of the Ancients no longer gives vision over the rune area infront of Roshan

* Slightly adjusted the dire secondary jungle bounty rune further back

* Reduced spawnbox size for both Dire hard camps

* Shifted down the spawnbox for the ancient camp (formerly medium camp) in the Dire secondary jungle (so a high ground ward does not block the camp)

* Fixed a rare case where Dire ancients could be stuck between trees when spawning

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

A lot of these changes are minimal and focused on balancing the scales between the two sides.

Same hero new play style

Windranger has been missing from the meta for a long time. Icefrog decided to bring her back from the dead with the next patch.

* Powershot damage from 120/220/320/420 to 180/260/340/420

* Powershot cooldown from 9 to 12/11/10/9

* Windrun slow AoE from 300 to 325

* Windrun manacost from 100 to 75

* Level 10 Talent from +15 Damage to +25% Windrun Slow

* Level 15 Talent from +16 Intelligence to +20 Intelligence

* Level 15 Talent from +200 Health to +40 Movement Speed

* Level 20 Talent from +12% Magic Resistance to +20%

* Level 20 Talent from +12% Spell Amplification to +15%

* Level 25 Talent from -5s Powershot Cooldown to -6s

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

These changes seem to point to a more support focused Windranger which may reinvigorate the hero. The change to Powershot will mean that an early point in the skill will allow good harass potential in lane. The changes to her talents seem to point her towards a more support focused play style. Expect to see support Windranger coming to a pro game near you.

Who needs a Midas

Doom is another hero that had been missing from the meta for a long time. This may start to change, as with his new changes he may become more viable, and is already seeing some more play in competitive.

* Level 10 Talent from +8 Intelligence to +80 Devour Bonus Gold

* Level 10 Talent from +150 Health to +250

* Level 15 Talent from +6 Armor to +15 Scorched Earth Damage/Heal

* Level 15 Talent from +15 Movement Speed to +20

* Level 20 Talent from +65 Damage to +35 Doom DPS

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

Doom’s talent tree received a massive rework as part of the patch, something that he really needed. The main addition is the new level 10 talent +80 Devour Bonus Gold, which effectively gives Doom a built in Midas once he hits level 10. This will really allow Doom to transition well into the mid / late game. It seems as if Icefrog is trying to refocus Doom around his skills with the changes to his talent tree. As a result, Doom has lost some of his right click potential and will have to be careful during fights.

Returning from the shadows?

Bounty was a hero that had been severely affected by the 7.00 patch, so it is nice to see Icefrog giving him some attention. Still, nobody is going to buy Aghanim’s Scepter on him no matter how much they buff the upgrade.

* Scepter now also increases Shuriken Toss ministun duration from 0.1 to 0.75

* Level 10 Talent from +15% XP Gain to +20%

* Level 20 Talent from +100 Damage to +120 Damage

* Level 20 Talent from 8% Spell Amplification to +75 Shuriken Toss Damage

* Level 25 Talent from +20% Evasion to +25%

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

The change to the Aghanim’s upgrade makes sense, however it will more than likely not increase the amount the item is picked up. The 20% XP gain at level 10 will help Bounty get his levels faster, something he desperately needs. The addition of +75 Shuriken Damage offers a welcome choice against the +120 Damage. Whilst most people will pick up the additional damage, in higher level games the extra Shuriken Toss damage will see a lot of attention. Bounty may see some more play, however he still is in need of a more considerable buff to make a return to the meta.

The Losers of the Patch

Balance in all things

The nerfs to Ember will not be a surprise to anyone who has played the game recently. With a high pick and win rate, the hero was teetering between great and broken.

* Root now disables Activate Fire Remnant

* Level 10 Talent from 15% Spell Amplification to 12%

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

Now whilst two changes is not dramatic it is the nature of these changes that is important. Firstly, having Root disable Activate Fire Remnant makes sense, but will now allow another way to lock Ember down and stop him from jumping out. Secondly, the change to the level 10 talent is a welcome one, that reduces the heroes power without completely destroying the hero. Ember will likely still see a high pick and win rate in higher tier games and will likely receive heavier nerfs in an upcoming patch.

Is No Bear LD still within range ?

Lone Druid definitely deserved a nerf and Icefrog agreed. The Druid had become a mainstay in higher MMR games, with a strong win rate.

* Level 10 Talent from +200 Attack Range to +175

* Level 15 Talent from +65 Damage to +55

* Level 20 Talent from +7 Spirit Bear Armor to +12

* Level 20 Talent from -50s Respawn Time to -40s

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

The changes to LD are minimal currently, but may see him become a more situational pick rather than consistently picked. Reducing the additional attack range provided by the level 10 talent was a needed change, and will mean that it is possible to close the gap on LD in fights. In addition, reducing the damage provided to LD from his level 15 talent will be a welcomed change. Similar to Ember, the changes are needed, but are still arguably not enough.

Who needs Ion Shell

Dark Seer has been a mainstay of the competitive meta for the last six months. Icefrog may have just ruined that for everyone. With a long list of changes, will Dark Seer ever be the same again?

* Movement speed reduced from 300 to 295

* Ion Shell manacost from 70/90/110/130 to 100/110/120/130

* Level 15 Talent from +90 Damage to +120

* Level 20 Talent from +25 Intelligence to +75 Vacuum AoE

* Level 20 Talent from +12 Strength to +10% Cooldown Reduction

* Level 25 Talent from +12% Cooldown Reduction to +25 Strength

* Level 25 Talent from +70 Ion Shell Damage to +80

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

The biggest of all these changes is the change to Ion Shell. Dark Seer is a hero that benefits from pushing towers in the early game through the use of Ion Shell. This has changed with the mana cost of Ion Shell being increased, meaning that early game Dark Seer cannot simply spam itl in lane whenever it is off cooldown. Dark Seer will now need to be conscious of last hitting rather than leaving that to the Ion Shell. The talent tree also received a rework, which overall is a nerf to Dark Seer. If you like to play Dark Seer, it may be time to find a new hero, as Icefrog has decided to punish him and may do this again in the future.

Icefrog has sent him back to the Underworld

Having been recently released into Captains Mode, it is not a surprise to see Underlord receiving the balance hammer from Icefrog.

* Movement speed reduced from 305 to 290

* Atrophy Aura Damage Reduction from 10/20/30/40% to 4/16/28/40%

* Level 15 Talent from +200 Health to +35 Movement Speed

* Level 20 Talent from +100 Cast Range to +125

* Level 20 Talent from +50 Attack Speed to +60

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

Icefrog decided that the early game of Underlord was too good and has decided to reduce the Atrophy Aura Damage Reduction. The change now means that for the damage reduction to be beneficial, it will now require two skill points, which will possibly change the skill build moving forward. Whilst he will not join Arc Warden in the new hero dumpster, expect Underlord to receive some nerfs in upcoming patches.

Other changes of note in the patch

* Shrines are now vulnerable after a T3 tower dies (same as the Shrines inside the base), rather than after all T2 towers die

* Sentry Wards now come in packs of 1 for 100 gold (instead of 2 for 200)

* Added Lycan to CM

* Observer Wards now have a Fog of War simulator to show you the area the ward will reveal (taking into account trees and terrain height)

“Courtesy of http://www.dota2.com/news/updates/27381/”

For a full breakdown check out Purge’s Livestreamed reactions to the new patch here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZEpSU0DOoU

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