The Blix team is excited to present an in-depth analysis of the seven most dynamic and thrilling hero combinations in Patch 7.38b. As professional players, we have thoroughly explored the meta, tested various strategies, and analyzed numerous games to create this list.
We’ve included a mix of meta-defining synergies and some entertaining, meme-worthy picks to keep things interesting. So, gather your teammates (if you have any!), and let’s dive into the action. Here’s everything you need to know about these powerful duos.
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Alchemist + Medusa: The Aghanim’s Powerhouse
Dota 2 hero: Alchemist
Let’s kick things off with a combination that showcases both craft and pub-stomping potential: Alchemist and Medusa. This pairing centers around Alchemist’s new facet, Dividends, which provides him with 75 gold per minute (GPM) for every Aghanim’s Scepter he gifts to an ally. For a hero like Alchemist, who can farm stacks at lightning speed, this facet transforms him into a support that accelerates his team’s item progression—especially when paired with a carry like Medusa.
Dota 2 hero: Medusa
Why Medusa? Her Aghanim’s Scepter upgrade is a game-changer. It unlocks the old level 25 talent that allows Split Shot to proc attack modifiers on every arrow. When combined with a Mjolnir, Medusa becomes a walking thunderstorm, unleashing lightning across entire teams. Adding in her Undulation facet, which grants her a flat 310 movement speed and immunity to slows, creates a carry who is fast, tanky, and capable of dealing significant AoE damage without relying on boots.
In the lane, Alchemist plays the position 5 role, using Acid Spray to harass opponents and secure farm for Medusa, while Unstable Concoction provides a stun to lock down enemies. This duo may lack early kill potential, so it’s crucial to play defensively against aggressive lanes. However, this combo truly shines in average pub games, where matches often extend into the late 30m or 40m. Alchemist rushes to complete Aghanim’s, gifts it to Medusa, and watches her scale into an unkillable force. From there, Medusa should build a Hurricane Pike for mobility and either Skadi or Butterfly for tankiness and damage. Trust us—when Medusa hits her Mjolnir timing and activates Stone Gaze, entire teams will melt away. We are eager to see more of this sleeper hit in competitive play.
Dark Seer and Marci: A Fearsome Duo in the Early Game
Dota 2 hero: Dark Seer
Next is a powerful combo that is making waves in both professional and pub games: Dark Seer and Marci. This pairing is arguably the most meta-defining duo in Patch 7.38, thanks to their ability to dominate lanes, win early fights, and secure game-changing objectives like the 15-minute Tormentor.
Marci’s “Pick Me Up” ability is the standout feature here, allowing her to use “Rebound” to propel an ally into battle. When combined with Dark Seer’s “Quick Wit,” which boosts his attack speed and enhances his laning capabilities, this duo becomes formidable from the very start of the match.
Dota 2 hero: Marci
The strategy is simple yet deadly: Dark Seer casts “Ion Shell” on himself and Marci, and she then uses “Rebound” to launch them both at a target. This shelled-up duo unleashes a barrage of damage. Marci’s “Bodyguard” ability further amplifies their effectiveness, enabling her to counterattack whenever Dark Seer takes damage, maximizing his boosted attack speed for greater impact.
This combination excels at early aggression. Winning your lane allows for rotations to secure kills and capture the Tormentor for an Aghanim’s Shard, which can snowball your lead. Dark Seer’s “Vacuum” followed by Marci’s “Unleash” can seal the deal in team fights, making it nearly impossible for enemies to escape.
As the Blix team, we’ve seen this duo consistently dictate the pace of professional matches; it’s hands down our favorite combo.
Leshrac and Oracle: The Classic Mid-Game Threat
Dota 2 hero: Leshrak
Some combos never go out of style, and the pairing of Leshrac with Oracle is one of the best. Patch 7.38 has enhanced this duo with buffs to Leshrac’s item pool, making them more formidable than ever. Leshrac is a top-tier hero, and Oracle’s support abilities elevate him to an even higher level.
Leshrac’s strength lies in his item flexibility. The Rod of Atos is now a core item, providing health, intelligence, and a root that enables his Lightning Storm and Pulse Nova spells. It also builds into Gleipnir, which adds area-of-effect damage—ideal for Leshrac’s spell-heavy playstyle. Additionally, Bloodstone received a buff that includes a basic dispel, allowing Leshrac to remove debuffs and sustain himself through fights. Oracle complements this perfectly with Fortune’s End for dispels, Purifying Flames for healing, and False Promise to keep Leshrac alive while he unleashes his full power.
Dota 2 hero: Oracle
In the laning phase, Oracle’s healing and harassment keep Leshrac healthy, while Leshrac’s Split Earth and Edict punish any overextensions from enemies. By mid-game, this duo becomes a nightmare for opponents—Oracle’s magic immunity and healing boost Leshrac’s damage output, enabling him to dominate team fights. Many players in public matches often underestimate Oracle’s impact, but as the Blix team, we can confidently affirm that this classic combo is a mid-game powerhouse in patch 7.38.
Warlock and Phantom Assassin: The Snowballing Sustain Train
Dota 2 hero: Phantom Assassin
In the last patch, Warlock and Phantom Assassin (PA) were a formidable combination, and they continue to be incredibly effective in version 7.38. This duo excels at early dominance and sustained aggression, making it a top choice for teams aiming to dominate the laning phase.
The key to their success lies in Warlock’s Black Grimoire ability, which grants 250 experience points for each kill or assist. Warlock can consume this bonus at minute 7, allowing him to collect a substantial amount of wisdom runes. In an intense laning phase, Warlock can reach levels 7 to 9 by minute 8, providing him with an exceptional early-game advantage.
PA contributes to the tempo with her skills: Phantom Strike and Stifling Dagger. She can slow down enemies with either Desolator or Orb of Corrosion to set up kills. Warlock’s Fatal Bonds enhances PA’s area-of-effect damage, while Shadow Word offers the sustain that PA needs.
Dota 2 hero: Warlock
Together, they dominate the lanes—PA initiates fights while Warlock accumulates assists, allowing the duo to snowball into the mid-game. Taking the Tormentor around 15 minutes is nearly guaranteed with this tempo, and acquiring a shard for either hero solidifies their advantage. We’ve tested this combination in scrims at Blix, and it has proven to be a successful strategy, especially when PA hits her critical timing.
Venomancer and Night Stalker: The Early-Game Jungle Kings
Dota 2 hero: Night Stalker
In the current patch 7.38, Venomancer and Night Stalker continue to be a formidable duo, benefiting from buffs that enhance their early-game pressure. This pair excels at exploiting the night cycle and gaining map control.
Night Stalker’s Night Reign ability grants him a free point in Dark Ascension, significantly boosting his presence in the early game. Players can choose to either focus on vision and damage or take Void for effective trades, making him a dominant threat right from the first night. Meanwhile, Venomancer utilizes Plague Ward and Venomous Gale to efficiently jungle, allowing for quick farming and rotations to gank alongside Night Stalker. Together, they patrol the map at night, picking off vulnerable enemies and capturing objectives like the Tormentor.
Dota 2 hero: Venomancer
The strength of this combo lies in its simplicity: Venomancer slows opponents, while Night Stalker silences and eliminates them. It’s a popular choice in patch 7.38, and the Blix team appreciates its reliability.
Mirana and Dragon Knight: The Enhanced Gank Machine
Dota 2 hero: Dragon Knight
Patch 7.38 brought significant buffs to both Mirana and Dragon Knight (DK), making them two of the most improved heroes in the game and creating a powerful synergy between them. This duo is versatile and can function effectively as a core-support pair in any lane.
Mirana’s abilities, Starstorm and Sacred Arrow, enhanced her utility, while DK’s durability and damage output received substantial boosts from the balance changes. The strategy is simple: Mirana casts her arrow, DK follows up with Dragon Tail, and an enemy hero is eliminated. Additionally, Moonlight Shadow provides stealth, allowing DK to enter fights undetected.
Dota 2 hero: Mirana
Whether Mirana roams to support a mid-DK or an offlane DK teams up with a support Mirana, their ganking potential is unmatched.
We’ve observed these two dominating in scrims at Blix, demonstrating their synergy as two meta heroes. You can’t go wrong with this combination.
Lifestealer and Jakiro: Masters of the Transition from Laning to Mid-Game
Dota 2 hero: Lifestealer
Completing our list is a less flashy yet highly effective duo: Lifestealer and Jakiro. This combination isn’t centered on extraordinary synergy; instead, it’s about addressing each other’s weaknesses and dominating the mid-game.
Jakiro’s upgraded Liquid Fire at level 1 and Dual Breath at level 2 make him a formidable lane bully. His Freeze ability allows Ice Path to become a double-stun threat. Lifestealer benefits from this crowd control, utilizing Open Wounds and Jakiro’s damage to secure kills. Jakiro supports Lifestealer during a challenging laning phase, then provides mid-game lockdown while Lifestealer evolves into a maximum health-stacking powerhouse.
Dota 2 hero: Jakiro
The strength of this duo lies in its practical approach—Jakiro facilitates Lifestealer’s early game, and Lifestealer amplifies Jakiro’s control in the mid-game. This is a Blix-approved pick for consistent victories.
Concluding Thoughts from the Blix Team
Patch 7.38 focuses on early-game tempo and mid-game objectives, and these combos reflect that meta. From the late-game scaling of Alchemist–Medusa to the professional dominance of Dark Seer–Marci, there’s a duo here to suit every playstyle. We’re testing these combinations in our scrims and breaking them down on the Gamely website—visit for detailed guides, including our analysis of Warlock–PA in professional matches. Do you have a favorite combo? Let us know, and stay tuned for more insights from Blix as we make our mark in the Dota 2 scene! We also recommend visiting the Reddit thread for more Dota 2 content.
