Dota 2 7.38b Offlane Guide: How to Become an Unstoppable Force

The Blix team is here to explore the Position 3 role in Patch 7.38b. As the frontline backbone of your team, you will absorb damage, initiate fights, and grow into a force the enemy cannot overlook. As players actively competing in the Immortal Draft, we have spent time in the offlane, testing the latest patch changes to bring you the top builds for this challenging role.

Patch 7.38b introduces new elements, ability reworks, and item adjustments that enhance your disruptive potential more than ever. Our top hero picks are Marci, Dawnbreaker, and Vengeful Spirit. These heroes offer durability and excel as lane bullies, teamfight threats, and late-game powerhouses. Whether you’re diving towers or punishing your opponents’ mistakes, we have the builds to help you become a legendary, durable Disruptor.

Dota 2: Offlane Heroes Art

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Marci – Pick Me Up Facet: Combo Queen

Dota 2 hero: Marci

Marcy is already a favorite in Blix, but the Pick Me Up facet in version 7.38b has transformed her into an offlane combo queen we can’t stop playing. She is a durable initiator who scales well and synergizes perfectly.

Why It Works

Pick Me Up allows you to alt-cast W (Rebound) to bring an ally along, either offensively to dive into fights or defensively to save them. This ability is a game-changer for both laning and skirmishes. With the now-standard Bodyguard (E), you gain bonus damage and lifesteal while doubling your attacks when an ally hits your target (or vice versa).

This makes Marci a strong lane dominator who can scale into a formidable right-click threat. Other abilities like Buddy System (which provides additional healing from E) and Fleeting Fury (which grants three Unleash hits upon landing W) are good, but Pick Me Up’s synergy with heroes like Tusk or Io is unparalleled.

Dota 2: Marci Facets Stats

Skill Build

Start with ability E at level 1 for lane power; the Bodyguard’s bonus damage and lifesteal are very effective. Take ability Q (Dispose) at level 2 for damage and setup, and ability W at level 3 for mobility. Max ability E first for sustain and double-hit damage, then focus on ability Q for burst damage, taking your ultimate R (Unleash) at levels 6, 12, and 18. Unless you find yourself frequently repositioning, W is best as a one-point wonder—ability E is your core strength.

Dota 2 Marci: Most Popular Skill Build

Item Build

Start with essentials for the offlane: Bracer, Wand, and Tango. Upgrade to Power Treads to enhance your stats and attack speed, then quickly move on to either Armlet or Blade Mail. Choose Harpoon for securing pickoffs or Blade Mail for more tanky engagements. Next, consider Sange and Yasha for increased mobility and durability, or opt for Orchid if you’re successfully gaining momentum with solo kills. 

In the late game, once BKB counters are disabled, Daedalus will significantly increase your damage output during Unleash. If you’re having trouble farming, the Fleeting Fury ability can assist with the 3-hit pulse.

Dota 2 Marci: Item Build

Playstyle

Use the E ability to maximize damage in the lane. Pair up with your position 4 (Tusk’s Tag Team is incredibly effective) to dominate anyone who engages in trades. Roam using your W ability, bringing your support along to either dive enemies or save allies during the mid-game. As a brawler, initiate fights with your Q ability, activate your R ability, and let your E ability amplify your damage output. 

“Pick Me Up” shines when combined with heroes like Magnus (who can skewer enemies) or Io (whose tether slows opponents)—jump in with them and watch the chaos unfold. In the late game, you become a significant threat; survive burst damage, and “Unleash” will tear through enemy teams.

Blix Pro Insight

Dota 2: Marci Art

Tusk and Marci, equipped with Bodyguard and Pick Me Up, create a lane that no one can survive. The Tag Team ability triggers double hits for absurd damage. Even professional players are overlooking this core potential—try it and dominate.

Tips

• You can cast Dispose on an ally’s top bar portrait to easily target them. Useful if you’re trying to save a specific target in a sea of summons or illusions in a chaotic team fight.
• If an ally or enemy is affected by forced movement or knockback while flying in Dispose, they’ll immediately drop to the ground and slow the AoE underneath them.
• You can’t Dispose units affected by Enigma’s Black Hole or Faceless Void’s Chronosphere.
• You can use Dispose to cancel an enemy’s channel because the throw counts as a stun.
• Dispose throw distance is slightly affected by the z-axis of the map. If you throw a unit uphill, they may not go as far, and if you throw a unit downhill, they’ll go slightly further than a ground level Dispose.
• Your Rebound landing location is not perfectly in the center of the target AoE, but instead slightly closer to the direction you leaped from. Ideally, if you’re trying to Dispose an enemy into your team after Rebounding, you may want to catch the enemy with the edge of the Rebound AoE. Hence, you have a good Dispose angle immediately after landing.
• Be aware that targets can disjoint Rebound’s initial dash. You’ll run to wherever they were before they disjointed your Rebound and then suddenly stop. So warn allies if they’re thinking about blinking or activating a Manta Style before you bounce off them.

Counters

• Be aware that enemy couriers will be harder to kill thanks to Marci’s Special Delivery innate.
• Rebound takes some time to cast, and the stun radius isn’t that large. In lane, don’t just mindlessly walk in one direction if you’re expecting a Marci to Rebound on you. Dodge it like you would a Leshrac Split Earth or a Lina Light Strike Array.
• Roots/leashes prevent Marci from casting Rebound.
• The only thing that can cancel a Rebound that’s already mid-cast are sources of forced movement or knockback. Otherwise, she’ll receive whatever stun/root/silence/taunt you put on her, but continue dashing and leaping.

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Dawnbreaker – Starsurge Facet: Right-Click Riser

Dota 2 hero: Dawnbreaker

Dawnbreaker’s new facets in version 7.38b have changed her offlane style, and the Blix team is fully committed to Starsurge for its right-click power. She’s a durable disruptor who scales into a damage-per-second machine.

Why It Works

Starsurge provides a bonus to attack speed when used with Q (Celestial Hammer), making it an excellent choice for combining with damage items. While Trailblazer offers increased movement speed on the W path, we prefer Starsurge for its significant DPS boost.

Aghanim’s Scepter has lost its evasion ability, so right-click builds are currently the meta. Items like Blade Mail, Harpoon, and Orb of Corrosion transform her into a formidable frontline threat, allowing her to trade effectively and heal in the process.

Dota 2: Dawnbreaker Facets Stats

Skill Build

Start with Q at level 1 for damage and to help secure last hits. Take W (Luminosity) at level 2 for sustain, and E (Solar Guardian) at level 3 for utility. Maximize Q first for increased damage, followed by W for its healing effects. Take R at levels 6, 12, and 18. E is effective as a one-point investment since its global save can be crucial, but focus on Q and W as your main abilities for lane and team fights.

Dota 2 Dawnbreaker: Most Popular Skill Build

Item Build

Start with a Bracer, a Wand, and a Tango for your offlane survival kit. Build Phase Boots followed by Blade Mail and Harpoon. Blade Mail helps reflect harassment, while Harpoon secures kills. Orb of Corrosion is a hidden gem—providing 3 armor reduction and lifesteal, which pairs well with your Q‘s area of effect damage.

Next, consider Sange and Yasha for extra stats and mobility, or opt for Daedalus for increased damage output. In the late game, you can add utility to your team with either Assault Cuirass or Shiva’s Guard. It’s advisable to skip Aghanim’s Scepter; with evasion gone, right-click damage becomes more essential.

Dota 2 Dawnbreaker: Item Build

Playstyle

In the laning phase, trade with your Q ability and sustain with your W. Luminosity will heal you even when you’re under harassment. During the mid-game, take on the role of an initiator—use your R ability to save allies or dive into the fray, then engage in combat using Blade Mail and Harpoon. Pair Starsurge’s increased attack speed with Orb of Corrosion to boost your damage per second (DPS), shred enemy armor, and heal yourself.

In the late game, you’ll evolve into a tanky right-click damage dealer. Position yourself to hit multiple enemies with your Q and W procs. Focus on pushing waves, absorbing damage, and disrupting fights—this is what you’re built for.

Blix Pro Insight

Dota 2 hero: Dawnbreaker

Starsurge with Blade Mail and Daedalus deals significant damage—think 300+ DPS with W procs. She’s underrated as a core; abuse her early tankiness, and you’ll scale into a monster.

Tips

• If you want to be extremely annoying in lane, cancel the Starbreaker cast animation to mindgame enemies and bait them into getting complacent about dodging it. Be warned, however, that you need quick fingers to cancel the animation.
• Dawnbreaker will destroy trees as her hero moves into them during Starbreaker.
• You do not have free pathing in Starbreaker, so you can’t travel up or down cliffs during the spell.
• If you have the “Double Tap Ability to Self Cast” option enabled, double tapping Starbreaker will cast the spell directly in front of where you’re facing.
• On-hit effects (like Basher, Maelstrom, or Desolator) will apply normally during Starbreaker attack swipes except for cleave.
• Luminosity can only gain one charge per Starbreaker swipe regardless of how many enemies get hit.

Counters

• The best way to deal with Starbreaker in lane is to just walk into her. It seems counterintuitive, but you’re better off avoiding the spell by moving closer to her rather than running away.
• Silences cannot cancel a Starbreaker that is already in progress. Every other type of disable (stuns, sleeps, fears, etc) can, though.
• You can cancel Dawnbreaker’s Converge to her Hammer by stunning, cycloning, fearing, or applying any forced movement/knockback to her mid-flight.
• Roots/leashes can prevent Dawnbreaker from casting Converge, but they won’t stop her if she’s already flying to her Hammer.
• Silencer can cast Global Silence to interrupt a Solar Guardian, but be aware that if you’re too slow and she’s already in the air, she’s completely invulnerable and is going to land unsilenced.

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Vengeful Spirit – Retribution Inner Ability: Axe Avenger

Dota 2 hero: Vengeful Spirit

Venge offlane with Retribution has been a staple for ages, and the 7.38b buffs make it better than ever. She is a durable disruptor who punishes enemies and scales with Aghanim’s into a formidable threat.

Why It Works

Retribution now provides a 20% bonus damage (increased from 10%) to the hero that killed you, when paired with Aghanim’s Scepter. This item spawns a strong illusion of your hero, retaining all your abilities. The Q ability, Magic Missile, and the W ability, Wave of Terror, effectively control the lanes, while the E ability, Vengeance Aura, boosts your team’s performance.

Additionally, talents such as the 20% damage steal at level 20 and the 16% bonus damage at level 25 make her a formidable scaling threat. She has enough durability to survive encounters and is disruptive enough to turn the tide of fights—even after death.

Dota 2: Vengeful Spirit Facets Stats

Skill Build

Start by leveling Q to 1 for both harassment and a stun effect. Take W at level 2 for armor reduction and E at level 3 to provide an aura boost. Max Q first to enable spammable stuns, then prioritize E for team damage. Take R (Nether Swap) at levels 6, 12, and 18. W is typically only needed at one point unless you’re aggressively pushing, as Q and E will primarily drive your impact on the game.

Dota 2 Vengeful Spirit: Most Popular Skill Build

Item Build

Start with Bracer, Wraith Band, and Wand for stats that help you survive the lane. Next, upgrade to Power Treads and rush Aghanim’s Scepter to time your illusion spike effectively. After that, consider picking up Sange and Yasha for durability and mobility, or go for Solar Crest to enhance your utility and toughness. In the late game, items like Lotus Orb or Assault Cuirass can provide valuable team benefits. Don’t overlook Aghanim’s Scepter—its 20% bonus from Retribution makes it essential.

Dota 2 Vengeful Spirit: Item Build

Playstyle

In the lane, harass your opponents with Q and W to force them out or secure kills. During the mid-game, rush Aghanim’s Scepter and be cautious of overextensions, as your illusions will deal 20% extra damage (plus Swap!). Use Swap on key targets to initiate fights or save allies, and let your aura and illusions do the damage. 

In the late game, you’ll transition into a utility tank. Steal damage with your talents, disrupt enemies with Q and R, and capitalize on kills with Retribution. Play aggressively, make strategic sacrifices, and work to win team fights. You’re a nuisance who scales well—embrace that role!

Blix Pro Insight

Dota 2 hero: Vengeful Spirit

Aghanim’s at level 10 with Retribution is incredibly strong—if they kill you, they gain a 20% bonus from a full-ability illusion. Pair him with a hero like Mirana, and you’ll dominate lanes effortlessly. She’s an underrated core—give it a try.

Tips

• Wave of Terror is a useful spell for scouting out dangerous territory because of its massive range and lingering vision. Also useful for dewarding cliffs.
• Wave of Terror damage can cancel consumable regen like Salves or Clarities from long range. It’s also useful at breaking Blink Daggers from long range.
• Wave of Terror works on Roshan and Tormentors.
• Vladmir’s Offering can be a worthwhile pickup on VS because between Vengeance+Vladmir’s Aura you’re a huge bonus damage providing hero.
• Vengeance Aura boosts damage on player controlled units.
• Nether Swap disables and swaps enemies through debuff immunity/BKB and invulnerability.

Counters

• If you kill Vengeful Spirit, you’ll have a debuff on your hero, increasing the damage she does to you until the next time you die, thanks to her Retribution innate.
• Wave of Terror decreases armor dramatically. This means that it’s very easy for VS’s team to take Rosh early, and it means that tower diving a VS can be very dangerous.
• During tier 3 tower defenses, make sure that the enemy team doesn’t have wards on your high ground, otherwise someone is almost certainly going to get Swapped to the low ground.
• Vengeance Aura is granted by illusions of VS. Shadow Demon, Terrorblade, and Dark Seer can take advantage of this.

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Final Thoughts

Dota 2: Brewmaster Art

Patch 7.38b has transformed the offlane into a stronghold for durable disruptors, with Marci, Dawnbreaker, and Vengeful Spirit being our top picks for dominating this role. Marci’s combination of abilities, Dawnbreaker’s right-click damage scaling, and Vengeful Spirit’s ability to punish opponents create a balanced mix of resilience, initiation, and late-game potential. We’ve developed these builds through extensive testing in the Immortal Draft, and they’re ready to help you succeed in your matches—whether you’re soaking up damage, initiating fights, or becoming a late-game threat.

In this meta, it’s all about resilience and impact, and these heroes deliver on both fronts. Stay tuned for a more in-depth analysis of Patch 7.38b from Blix as we explore the remaining roles. Until then, hold your ground, disrupt effectively, and aim for those victories! We also recommend visiting the Reddit thread for more Dota 2 content.