DOTA 2 WEEKLY RECAP : NOVEMBER 21ST 2023
Navigating the Dota 2 Arena: A look at ESL Kuala Lumpur, patch 7.34e which brings about a mix of emotions, team dynamics, and the Waldner Cup.
Let’s deep dive into this article and get you up to speed as to what happened this week.
THE TEAMS SET TO CLASH IN THE ESL ONE KUALA LUMPUR MAJOR
The stage is set for the grand finale of the Dota 2 calendar year, as 12 elite teams gear up for battle in the ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023. With a staggering $1 million prize pool up for grabs, this tournament promises to be a spectacular showdown, running from December 11 to 17.
While three-time Major champions Gaimin Gladiators, China powerhouse LGD Gaming, and the formidable Azure Ray secured direct invites, the remaining nine slots were fiercely contested in regional qualifiers. Teams like Team Liquid, Team Secret, BetBoom Team, 9Pandas, Team Falcons, Invictus Gaming, Blacklist International, TSM, and Wawitas Sagazes emerged victorious, showcasing diverse talent from around the globe.
These squads, many of which underwent significant roster changes post TI-2023, are poised to make a lasting impact in Kuala Lumpur and are undoubtedly ones to watch as the Dota 2 community eagerly anticipates the unfolding of the 2024 season.
Dota 2 Patch 7.34e Overview: Nerfs and Select Buffs
In the aftermath of The International 2023 (TI12), Dota 2 introduces Patch 7.34e, marking a notable shift in the meta with a focus on adjustments to heroes and items. This update leans heavily towards nerfs, impacting prominent items like Hand of Midas and Heart of Tarrasque, as well as tweaking the capabilities of heroes including Spirit Breaker, Chaos Knight, Primal Beast, and Bristleback.
The Hand of Midas, a staple for accelerating gold and experience gain, sees a lengthened base charge restore time from 100s to 110s, potentially influencing its efficiency. Meanwhile, the Heart of Tarrasque witnesses an increase in recipe cost (from 1300 to 1400) and a reduction in strength bonus (from +40 to +35), altering its cost-effectiveness and impact on hero tankiness.
Among the heroes facing adjustments, Spirit Breaker experiences a cooldown increase for Charge of Darkness, Chaos Knight undergoes a base damage reduction, and Primal Beast sees alterations to Trample and Pulverize. Bristleback, a durable offlaner, faces reductions in Quill Spray’s max damage and an increase in the cooldown of the Hairball ability.
Notably, the patch introduces modest buffs to Drow Ranger and Enigma, potentially encouraging their presence in the competitive scene. These adjustments set the stage for a dynamic shift in hero picks and strategies as the Dota 2 community adapts to the evolving landscape post-TI12.
MANY PEOPLE SEES THIS PATCH AS A DISAPPOINTMENT
The much-anticipated Patch 7.34e has made its debut, but the reception may not align with the expectations of the Dota 2 community. Despite addressing the dominance of heroes like Spirit Breaker, Spectre, and Chaos Knight observed in TI12 through nerfs, the update falls short of delivering a substantial shift in the existing meta. The alterations to these powerful heroes don’t seem potent enough to usher in a new era of gameplay dynamics.
Examining the changes to Spectre and Spirit Breaker, the adjustments appear relatively minor. Spirit Breaker’s Charge of Darkness sees a cooldown increase, and Spectre experiences a marginal reduction in base armor. These tweaks, while addressing balance concerns, may not be sufficient to disrupt the established patterns of hero preferences and strategies, leaving the Dota 2 community eager for more impactful shifts in future updates.
HERE ARE THE CHANGES:
Item changes:
- Eternal Shroud:
- Magic Resistance bonus increased from +30% to +35%, providing enhanced protection against magical damage.
- Hand of Midas:
- Base Charge Restore Time increased from 100s to 110s, slowing down the rate at which players can accumulate gold and experience with this iconic item.
- Heart of Tarrasque:
- Recipe cost increased from 1300 to 1400, resulting in a total cost increase from 5100 to 5200.
- Strength bonus decreased from +40 to +35, slightly reducing the health boost it provides to heroes.
- Helm of the Overlord:
- Vladmir’s Aura Armor increased from 3 to 4, enhancing the armor bonus provided by this item.
- Pavise:
- Protect Cooldown decreased from 18s to 16s, potentially increasing its utility in protecting allied heroes.
- Vladmir’s Offering:
- Vladmir’s Aura Armor increased from 3 to 4, making this item a more appealing choice for teams looking to boost armor for their entire squad.
Hero Changes:
ANCIENT APPARITION
- ICE VORTEX
Damage per second decreased from 12/20/28/36 to 12/18/24/30
- ICE BLAST
Frostbitten Duration decreased from 10/11/12s to 10s
BRISTLEBACK
- QUILL SPRAY
Max Damage decreased from 550 to 500
- BRISTLEBACK
Damage Threshold increased from 225 to 300/275/250/225
- HAIRBALL
Cast Range decreased from 1500 to 1000
Cooldown increased from 10s to 13s
- TALENTS
Level 20 Talent Quill Spray Stack Damage decreased from +25 to +20
CHAOS KNIGHT
Base Damage decreased by 5
- CHAOS STRIKE
Lifesteal penalty against creeps increased from 40% to 70%
- PHANTASM
Mana Cost increased from 75/125/175 to 100/200/300
DARK WILLOW
- SHADOW REALM
Cooldown increased from 20/18/16/14s to 22/20/18/16s
DAZZLE
- BAD JUJU
No longer affects any Blink Dagger’s 3s mute period after taking damage
DROW RANGER
- MULTISHOT
Cooldown decreased from 26/24/22/20s to 24/22/20/18s
EARTH SPIRIT
- ROLLING BOULDER
Cooldown now begins when the current roll is completed
ENIGMA
- BLACK HOLE
Cooldown decreased from 200/180/160s to 180/170/160s
GRIMSTROKE
- INK SWELL
Aghanim’s Shard Spell Lifesteal now has a 20% penalty against creeps
GYROCOPTER
- ROCKET BARRAGE
Rocket Damage increased from 6/12/18/24 to 8/14/20/26
JUGGERNAUT
- OMNISLASH
Bonus Damage increased from 30/40/50 to 40/45/50
KUNKKA
- GHOSTSHIP
Damage Delayed decreased from 45% to 35%
- TIDAL WAVE
Damage decreased from 250 to 180
- TORRENT STORM
Duration decreased from 5s to 4s Cooldown increased from 70s to 75s
LESHRAC
- LIGHTNING STORM
Slow Duration increased from 0.4/0.6/0.8/1.0s to 0.45/0.7/0.95/1.2s
LION
- EARTH SPIKE
Cast Range increased from 575 to 650
LYCAN
Base Agility increased from 16 to 18
Agility gain increased from 1.4 to 1.8
MARCI
- SIDEKICK
Cast Range increased from 700 to 1000
MUERTA
- THE CALLING
Duration decreased from 7/8/9/10s to 5/6/7/8s
Movement Slow decreased from 30% to 15/20/25/30%
NECROPHOS
- GHOST SHROUD
Mana Cost increased from 50 to 75
- HEARTSTOPPER AURA
Regen Duration decreased from 8s to 7s
Aghanim’s Scepter Health Regen to Decay decreased from 60% to 55%
- DEATH SEEKER
Cooldown increased from 16s to 19s
PRIMAL BEAST
- TRAMPLE
Mana Cost increased from 90/85/80/75 to 90
- PULVERIZE
Cooldown increased from 36/32/28s to 40/36/32s
- TALENTS
Level 25 Talent Pulverize Duration decreased from +100% to +67%
SHADOW SHAMAN
- HEX
Damage Amplification increased from 5/10/15/20% to 10/15/20/25%
SPECTRE
Base Armor decreased by 1
SPIRIT BREAKER
- CHARGE OF DARKNESS
Cooldown increased from 21/18/15/12s to 22/19/16/13s
Aghanim’s Scepter Cooldown increased from 8s to 9s
- GREATER BASH
Damage multiplier against creeps decreased from 1.5x to 1.3x
TIMBERSAW
- WHIRLING DEATH
Stat Loss Percent increased from 10% to 13%
TINY
- AVALANCHE
Mana Cost decreased from 120 to 90/100/110/120
TREANT PROTECTOR
Base Movement Speed decreased from 285 to 280
- LEECH SEED
Damage/Heal per second decreased from 25/40/55/70 to 20/35/50/65
WEAVER
- GEMINATE ATTACK
Cooldown increased from 7/5.5/4/2.5s to 8.5/6.5/4.5/2.5s
WINTER WYVERN
- COLD EMBRACE
Base Heal per second increased from 30/35/40/45 to 40/45/50/55
WITCH DOCTOR
- PARALYZING CASK
Damage multiplier against creeps decreased from 2.0x to 1.5x
- DEATH WARD
Now prioritizes heroes within its attack range over creeps
WRAITH KING
- VAMPIRIC SPIRIT
Skeleton Damage decreased by 3
NIGMA GALAXY KEEPS FANS IN SUSPENSE WITH ROSTER ANNOUNCEMENT DELAY UNTIL MID-DECEMBER 2023
In the dynamic landscape of professional Dota 2, the past few weeks have seen teams from all over the world unveiling their anticipated rosters for the upcoming season.
Amidst all the announcements, one European contender has notably held back, sparking curiosity and speculation among fans and the Dota 2 community at large. Nigma Galaxy, a recognized force in European Dota, has chosen to remain silent in mystery as other teams disclose their lineups and strategies for the upcoming competitions.
in response to the growing inquiries and the intrigue surrounding their silence, Nigma Galaxy took to social media to clear the curiosity of their fanbase.
In a tweet, the team disclosed that their roster is presently undergoing finalization, urging patience from the eager audience. The tweet clarified that the much-anticipated announcement regarding their definitive squad is slated to occur no earlier than the middle of December 2023.
This deliberate delay has only intensified the anticipation, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as they await the unveiling of Nigma Galaxy’s formidable lineup and the strategic choices that will define their path in the upcoming Dota 2 season.
NEW BLOOD, NEW BATTLES: BLEED ESPORTS BOLSTERS DOTA 2 ROSTER WITH THOW ADDITIONS FOR THE 2024 SEASON
As Bleed Esports gears up for the challenges of the upcoming 2024 Dota 2 season, the organization has executed significant overhauls to its roster. A notable addition to the Southeast Asian squad is Tommy “Taiga” Le, a seasoned player with a rich history in esteemed teams such as Alliance, Team Liquid, and OG. This strategic switch not only marks a new chapter in Taiga’s career but also brings a wealth of experience to the Bleed Esports lineup, injecting fresh perspectives and skills.
In another key move, Natthaphon “Masaros” Ouanphakdee has returned to Bleed esports after a six-month tenure with Team SMG. His reunion with Bleed Esports introduces a familiar face back into the team, along with the valuable insights gained during his time with Team SMG.
As Bleed Esports bids farewell to Dota 2 veteran Daryl “iceiceice” Koh and former TSM player Kim “DuBu” Doo-young, the arrival of Taiga and the return of Masaros signal not just a change in the team but a strategic shift aiming for success in the evolving Dota 2 landscape.
WALDNER CUP
Swedish table tennis icon Jan-Ove Waldner is diversifying his sporting legacy by introducing an exciting twist to the upcoming Waldner Cup. The renowned athlete has disclosed plans for the Legends Cup, a Dota 2 LAN event boasting a substantial $100,000 prize pool, to be held concurrently with the main table tennis competition. This innovative move aims to bring together the worlds of traditional sports and esports, showcasing the dynamic synergy between the two domains. The tournament, set in the vibrant city of Stockholm, Sweden, has garnered support from esports data company GRID and production company Black Molly Entertainment.
As the brainchild of Jan-Ove Waldner, the Legends Cup is poised to attract a diverse audience, capitalizing on the global popularity of both table tennis and Dota 2. The participation of esteemed teams such as The International champions Alliance and renowned Asian powerhouse LGD Gaming adds a layer of prestige to the esports segment. This novel approach not only elevates the stature of the Waldner Cup but also contributes to the growing intersection of sports and esports on the international stage.
Jan-Ove Waldner, whose accomplishments include being the sole non-Asian athlete to win an Olympic table tennis gold medal, expressed his enthusiasm for the venture, stating, “Legends Cup is a unique opportunity to blend my passion for traditional sports with the dynamic world of esports.
I look forward to witnessing the talents of Dota 2 players and engaging with fans in Stockholm.” The tournament is poised to not only provide thrilling esports action but also introduce a new demographic to the excitement of table tennis, marking a significant milestone in Waldner’s ongoing commitment to the evolution of sports entertainment.
This groundbreaking initiative comes with the backing of GRID, an esports data company that will contribute its expertise in data infrastructure, and Black Molly Entertainment, a production company set to enhance the overall event experience. The Legends Cup aims to redefine the boundaries of sporting events, creating a harmonious blend of physical and digital competition in the heart of Sweden’s capital.
FINAL VERDICT
It’s been a jam-packed week of Dota 2 news filled with ups and downs, Let us know down below in the comments if you are enjoying Patch patch 7.34e, or if was it a major disappointment?
Did your favourite hero get Nerfs or Buffs and if you agree with the current changes?
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Don’t forget to subscribe to our NEWSLETTER to be notified every Tuesday for the WEEKLY DOTA 2 RECAP.