When Dawnbreaker was first released, the hero was quite weak with a win rate of less than 40%. A stealth patch released by Valve changed that.
Typically, when a new hero embraces the game of Dota 2, the hero is overpowered and has a crazy high win percentage. This is possibly by design, as it encourages players to pick it and helps them get acquainted with the hero. The hero released in patch 7.28, Hoodwink, was insanely broken on release and had to be brought down by many notches before being introduced in Captain’s Mode. However, in the case of Dota 2’s newest hero – Valora, the Dawnbreaker, released with patch 7.29 – things started off a bit differently.
While the hero’s concept seemed innovative (especially her ultimate, Solar Guardian), her win rate in the first two days after her release made the case that the hero was quite underwhelming in terms of performance and needed some early buffs. Valve did that without announcing the buffs or releasing patch notes and overnight, her win rate shot up from 39% to 51%.
So what buffs did Dawnbreaker exactly get? Let’s make some quick comparisons between the initial version and the post stealth patch version to get an idea.
Dawnbreaker buffs
1) Strength gain increased
Added strength gain for a strength hero is always welcome, since besides HP and HP regen, it also adds to the hero’s damage. The strength gain has been increased from 3.2 to 3.8, making it one of the highest strength gains in the game, less than only Centaur Warrunner (4.6), Earth Spirit (4.4) and Tus (3.9). The added 0.6 strength gain is 18 additional strength over the 30 levels, which is 18 damage more and 360 HP higher (12 more HP per level).
2) Celestial Hammer DPS increased
The DPS for level 3 of Celestial Hammer has been increased from 20 to 50 (increments of 10 from 20 to 50 as the level of the skill increases, instead of a flat 20 before). For the 2.5 second of that trail duration, that is an increase in 75 damage. The damage isn’t too significant against heroes, but it could be useful while farming stacks.
3) Luminosity heal increased
The luminosity heal from the critical strike has been increased from 40% to 60%. Considering the crit is 10%, the heal is now 108% of her damage. But the big benefit of this is while farming. Even though the creep penalty is still 50%, earlier, the heal against creeps was 20% while now, it is 30%, which is 54% her damage (lot of percentages coming in here). This is a huge boost to sustenance while farming and even while in lane, as every level of the skill has seen an increase in the heal.
4) Solar Guardian radius and stun increased
The Solar Guardian radius has been increased from 400 to 500. Considering the fact that the circle for the skill does not move with the player it is targeted upon makes it quite easy to get out of it while Dawnbreaker is channeling her ult. Not that it will be impossible now, but it is a 56.25% increase in the area of the skill, which is bound to make it more impactful, especially in chaotic team fights.
The stun on landing Solar Guardian has also been increased from 1.5 seconds to 2 seconds, which gives Dawnbreaker a good amount of time to follow up with a Starbreaker.
The buffs might seem minute ones, but the increase in win rate is a clear indication that it was all Dawnbreaker needed to get over the average line. Additionally, the hero is yet to get her Aghanim’s Scepter and Aghanim’s Shard upgrades, which will add to her versatility and strength. The hero is currently being played in mid lane and offlane in high level pubs. Even though she won’t be available in the upcoming DPC Leagues Season 2, Dawnbreaker will embrace Captain’s Mode in time for TI10!
