Despite not being in its best state right now, Dota 2 continues to be one of the most popular games. As a result, Valve releases regular updates, some of which are very big and change the meta from the ground up.
One of the challenging parts about Dota 2 is learning what works best when there is a new patch. A lot of people who know what they are doing use their skills to their advantage and dominate in their games until the rest catch up with the meta. You can also do that if you follow a few simple yet effective steps, so let’s learn more about them.
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Use the new heroes/items
Like in many games, a lot of the big Dota 2 updates often come with new heroes and/or items. It is true that there have been cases where the new options do not look that good, but this is an exception.
From our experience, people who focus on the new heroes and items right away are usually more successful than others. As long as players know how to use them decently, they can use that to their advantage and surprise their opponents.
This tactic usually works really well until the “b” and “c” patch updates, which Valve usually releases a couple of days after the big update. In most cases, these patches try to “nerf” some of the new items and heroes that became available.
With so many Dota 2 heroes to choose from, it’s no surprise that most people only focus on a couple of options. Players have different in-game roles and always perform better with certain heroes than others. Therefore, one of the most important things to do is to check and learn all changes related to these specific heroes.
Of course, players should always read the full changelog when there is a Dota 2 update because this will allow them to familiarize themselves with everything. Although it takes time, it ensures that there won’t be any nasty surprises.
Watch live streams and/or the best players shortly after the new update
People who have been playing Dota 2 for many years know that the new patch opens a lot of opportunities. There is always some kind of “exploit” that players can take advantage of and use until Valve fixes it. With that said, the easiest way to learn about those things is by watching some of the biggest streamers in the world.
Whether you want to focus on the entertaining Dota 2 streamer or some of the professional players, you can always learn something new. After gaining access to this information, you can use it to your advantage until Valve decides to step in. Believe it or not, there are a lot of situations where this can help you gain loads of MMR.
Visit platforms like Reddit
The Dota 2 Reddit has always been a place people go to when they want to share interesting data. Even though a lot of fans underestimate it, others know that it can be a valuable source of information, at least from time to time.
Besides the complaints about different things, players sometimes share bugs and tactics they have discovered after a big update. For example, they can often learn more details about how a given hero works really well with specific items. Needless to say, these posts usually go viral because people copy them.
Keep an eye on Twitter
While on the topic of different platforms that Dota 2 players should follow, Twitter (X) definitely needs to be on the list. Despite being very underrated, people can often find interesting tactics, tips, and even Dota 2 builds there. Professionals will often share something they have discovered, allowing regular players to copy it and use it to their advantage.
In order to have access to the best information, you will need to follow different Twitter accounts that post about these things. Besides the professional players, you can also focus on some of the Dota 2 talents. The same is true for some of the rising pub stars because they are usually more motivated than the rest to discover something new.
Things you should avoid
One of the most common mistakes that people make when there’s a new Dota 2 update is to start playing ranked matches right away. Although it might be tempting to test or try something new, it’s wise to take a step back. You need to learn about all the big changes that will affect your game before you start playing.
As mentioned earlier, players can easily dominate their games using the newest heroes and items. However, they need to know what they are doing, which means that it’s best to test them in at least a few games before that. Thankfully, Valve has things like Turbo Mode, and players should use them to their advantage.
Conclusion
Even though some people do not like adapting to the new meta when there’s a Dota 2 update, others know that this is a great opportunity to shine. Using the tips above, we at Blix.gg believe that you can improve your results even more. Just make sure to be familiar with everything new, including the nerfs.