Valve recently released the much-awaited 7.20 update. The new update brought changes to the map, the economy and the way Experience and the Gold Bounty works. In addition to these changes, the majority of the heroes received underwent changes. As with any big update, there were a few more changes required. Valve has released a new update [ titled 7.20b ] which provides for further changes and balances to the game.
Here are the changes added in 7.20b :
Meepo
- Agility gain reduced from 2.2 to 1.4.
- Poof damage reduced from 80/100/120/140 to 70/90/110/130
- Ransack hero steal reduced from 8/12/16/20 to 6/10/14/18.
- Level 10 Talent reduced from +15 Damage to +10.
- Level 15 Talent changed from +10% Lifesteal to +15% Evasion.
- The Level 20 Talent changed from +15% Evasion to +10% Lifesteal.
- Level 25 Talent reduced from +600 Health to +400.
Luna
- Lunar Blessing reduced from 8/14/20/26 to 6/12/18/24.
- Level 15 Talent changed from +14 Lunar Blessing Attributes to +30 Movement Speed.
Slark
- Now only steals agility when he kills the enemy himself
- Pounce leash duration from 3.5 to 2.75/3/3.25/3.5
- Pounce leash range from 325 to 350
- Shadow Dance cooldown increased from 60 to 80/70/60
- Level 20 Talent reduced from +3s Pounce Leash to +2s
Dazzle
- Poison Touch mana cost increased from 80/90/100/110 to 80/100/120/140
- Bad Juju debuff duration reduced from 10 to 8
Sand King
- Sandstorm cooldown increased from 34/28/22/16 to 40/32/24/16
- Sandstorm mana cost rescaled from 60/50/40/30 to 60
Level 1 sandstorm is now even worse than before. Some would even argue to level up the caustic finale over sandstorm at level 1. At the highest level, Sandstorm mana cost has received a significant nerf. In fact, the mana cost has doubled for the Level 4 sandstorm.
Considering the extremely low cooldown on the ability at Level 4, this can cause problems for Sand Kings who opt not to go for more traditional items. Rushing a blink dagger, while still profitable will provide hardships to players.
Underlord
- Intelligence gain reduced from 2.6 to 2.3
Lone Druid
- Spirit Link attack speed reduced from 30/50/70/90 to 20/40/60/80.
- Spirit Link cooldown from 42/34/26/18 to 44/36/28/20.
Drow
- Base agility increased by 4.
- Precision Aura increased from 20/36/52/68% to 20/40/60/80%.
Outworld Devourer
- Base Intelligence increased from 24 to 28.
- Equilibrium mana restore from 60/80/100/120% to 80/100/120/140%.
- The Equilibrium slow from 8/16/24/32% to 12/20/28/36%.
- Equilibrium cooldown from 20 to 18.
Outworld Devourer felt woefully short on mana after the 7.20 update. This was strange for a hero that is known to provide more mana as you use skills. With the Equilibrium Mana restore now increased to a start of 80% we can hope that the hero does not face such problems.
There have been multiple buffs to OutWorld Devourer in 7.20 b.
Clinkz
- Burning Army base attack time improved from 1.8/1.65/1.5 to 1.65/1.5/1.35.
- Burning Army cast range increased from 800 to 1200.
Chaos Knight
- Chaos Strike cooldown from 8/7/6/5 to 7/6/5/4
- Phantasm damage increased from 40/70/100% to 50/75/100%
Centaur
- Retaliate max stacks increased from 10 to 13
Ember Spirit
- Fixed a bug with multiple Fire Remnant instances not doing damage properly
- Sleight of Fist damage increased from 30/60/90/120 to 35/70/105/140
Medusa
- Agility increased from 20 + 2.5 to 22 + 3.4
- Level 15 Talent increased from +20% Mystic Snake Mana Steal to +35%
It is rare to see Medusa getting playtime in the current meta of fast farmers. Heroes like Terroblade, Spectre, Anti Mage all farm faster than Medusa. One can even say that they are more efficient with their time. However, Medusa receiving buffs to her agility and the mana steal talent can make her a very viable pick now. With Medusa normally going mid-lane, the Level 15 talent will be crucial in dominating the mid-game when opponent supports are mostly under-leveled.
Whether this is enough to see more playtime is still up for discussion. However, we are slowly witnessing more and more buffs to the hero.
Treant Protector
- Nature’s Guise fade time reduced from 4.75/4/3.25/2.5 to 4/3.5/3/2.5.
- The Nature’s Guise total damage increased from 30/80/130/180 to 30/90/150/210.
- Nature’s Guise movement speed increased from 10/15/20/25% to 14/18/22/26%.
Storm Spirit
- Electric Vortex duration from 1/1.5/2/2.5 to 1.4/1.8/2.2/2.6
- Electric Vortex cooldown from 21/20/19/18 to 22/20/18/16
- Overload attack speed reduction from -50 to -80 (matches movement speed now)
Sven
- Warcry shield health increased from 100/200/300/400 to 110/220/330/440
The level 4 health increase of 40 HP can prove to be quite significant in the early game. While Sven still does not see a lot of play because of how diverse the current meta is; Warcry still provides a very decent buff.
Venomancer
- Poison Sting slow from 11/12/13/14% to 11/13/15/17%
Most of the changes are preliminary changes, and we can expect more to follow soon. Dota 2 is a complex game and one change in one hero can alter the entire meta completely. This is also the reason why we have not seen any major nerfs to Terrorblade as a hero. Despite being one of the most popular heroes in the previous Major, Terrorblade remains largely untouched. The changes to other heroes, however, will impact the game drastically.
The Chongqing Major qualifiers are all set to start from next week. We can expect teams to bring out new strategies and tactics keeping in mind the changes to the game via 7.20 and 7.20b.
Check out the five new items from the latest patch here.