A new balance patch was deployed just ahead of The International 2024 (TI13) closed qualifiers.
TI13 open qualifiers are in full swing, with closed qualifiers set to begin this coming Sunday, June 9. The latest Dota 2 patch, 7.36b came just in time to put a stop to some of the most overturned heroes and item combos that terrorised not only the public matchmaking, but also the qualifier rounds for Riyadh Masters 2024.
Sand King, Zeus, Venomancer, Tiny, Phoenix, Wraith King, Centaur Warrunner, and Storm Spirit have all been touched by the nerf hammer, adjusting their abilities, but also their facets.
Sand King
Sand King’s Sand Storm, which was by far one of the most annoying and hard to deal with abilities since facets were introduced to the game, got finally nerfed.
Dust Devil is the go to facet for Sand King. After the 7.36b nerf, the Burrowstrike no longer centres on the hero. Additionally, the Sand Storm radius was decreased from 425/500/575/650 to 300/350/400/450.
Sand Storm Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade was also nerfed as follows:
- Aghanim's Scepter damage and stun duration are now 70% of Burrowstrike's current damage and stun
- Aghanim's Scepter spine interval increased from 0.2s to 0.4s
- Aghanim's Scepter spines per interval increased from 2 to 3
- Aghanim's Scepter spines no longer appear if Sand King is outside the Sand Storm
Level 10 talents that improve either the Burrowstrike or the Sand Storm have also been toned down a notch.
- Level 10 Talent Burrowstrike Stun decreased from 0.4s to 0.3s
- Level 10 Talent Sand Storm Damage Per Second decreased from 15 to 10
Venomancer
For Veno, the preferred facet is still Patient Zero, which, interestingly enough, hasn’t been touched at all in the new patch. However, the ultimate ability is slightly nerfed.
Plague Carrier, the other facet, which is at below 30% pick rate overall, has been buffed with the 3 charges of Plague Wards that can be attached to allies without cooldown, which also yield 20% of the gold bounty.
Tiny
Tiny received nerfs only to its Tree Grab ability, which now has a decreased damage from 40/55/70/85% to 30/40/50/60% and to his level 10,15 and 20 talents as follows:
- Level 10 Talent Strength decreased from +10 to +8
- Level 15 Talent Grow Attack Speed Reduction decreased from 10% to 8%
- evel 20 Talent Tree Grab Base Damage decreased from +70 to +60
Phoenix
Phoenix received a handful of nerfs. Its Dying Light facet effects no longer apply to illusions and the percentage of missing health as damage is decreased from 6% to 4.5%.
Additionally, the Blinding Sun ability duration has been decreased from 5s to 4s, while Fire Spirit attack speed slow has been decreased from 65/90/115/140 to 50/80/110/140.
Wraith King
Wraith King's facets are untouched, but Vampiric Spirit, Mortal Strike and Reincarnation have all been nerfed.
Vampiric Spirit
- Bonus Attack Speed in Wraith form decreased from 75 to 30/45/60/75
- Bonus Movement Speed in Wraith form decreased from 25% to 10/15/20/25%
Mortal Strike
- Cooldown increased from 5.5/5.0/4.5/4.0s to 6/5.5/5.0/4.5s
- Aghanim's Shard Damage bonus decreased from 150% to 50%
Reincarnation
- Cooldown is now frozen while Wraith King is in Wraith form
Centaur Warrunner
Strength bonuses from the Horsepower facet as well as from the Rawhide and Aghanim's Shard got nerfed for Centaur, who for the past couple of weeks became nearly unkillable in pubs.
Horsepower facet
- Strength to movement speed decreased from 40% to 35%
Rawhide
- Max health gain decreased from +40 to +35
Double Edge
- Aghanim's Shard Bonus Strength decreased from +15% to +12%
Centaur also received nerfs to his level 15 talents as follows:
- Level 15 Talent Strength decreased from +15 to +12
- Level 15 Talent Double Edge Strength Damage decreased from +35% to +30%
Storm Spirit
Besides getting his mana regen to zero, Storm Spirit’s Static Remnant damage got decreased from 120/180/240/300 to 100/160/220/280.
These are perhaps the most prominent hero nerfs, however, the 7.36b patch doesn’t come with nerfs only. Plenty of heroes got interesting buffs such as Witch Doctor who now can also heal (at half of the value) with his Voodoo Festeration facet.
Along with hero and item, buffs and nerfs, the patch has fixed a new bunch of bugs. You can find the full patch notes here.
