Dota 2 Patch 7.38: The Best & Worst Facets You Need to Know

Welcome to the detailed review by the Blix team, focusing on the best and worst facets of heroes in Dota 2 patch 7.38. As professional players, we understand that adapting to the current meta begins with thorough data analysis and effective strategies.

This article will provide comprehensive information on the top 5 best and the top 5 worst heroes, based on win rates collected from various sources, including Dotabuff and Liquipedia. We will also discuss the changes made to heroes in patch 7.38 and offer personal insights to help improve your skill.

Dota 2: Patch 7.38 

Patch 7.38 has brought significant changes to Dota 2, including updates to the map, mechanics, and heroes. These alterations have impacted the balance of hero facets, which are now crucial in determining the success of a match. We conducted an analysis of facet win rates to identify the dominant facets as well as those that require improvement. Our findings are based on relevant data and include strategic recommendations for players of all skill levels.

Top 5 Best Facets

We have compiled a list of facets that have the highest win rates:

Abaddon – Mephitic Shroud

Dota 2 hero: Abaddon

Mephitic Shroud: This facet enhances the damage barrier and allows it to reflect more damage from Aphotic Shield, but it also extends recovery time. Abaddon is a support hero recognized for his capability to protect allies. The improved barrier makes him more dependable in team fights, particularly in scenarios where survivability is crucial.

However, a drawback is the increased recovery time, which can be problematic during prolonged battles. In patch 7.38, with map changes like expanded waterways, Abaddon’s ability to safeguard his allies may become even more essential.

Abaddon – The Quickening

Dota 2 hero: Abaddon

The Quickening: This facet of Aphotic Shield reduces its recovery time when Abaddon gets kills, making it suitable for an aggressive play style. The strength of this feature is that it allows for more frequent use of the shield, provided Abaddon is able to secure kills, which is beneficial for roles that demand active participation in fights.

However, a key weakness is that the reduction in recovery time is dependent on getting kills, which may not always be feasible, particularly in a support role. In the current meta, playing Abaddon aggressively can amplify the effectiveness of this aspect, but it may be less impactful in a traditional support role.

Lifestealer – Fleshfeast

Dota 2 hero: Lifestealer

Fleshfeast: This feature boosts maximum health when the Lifestealer kills heroes, enhancing the character’s resilience, especially in the late game. The main advantage is increased survivability, which is crucial for a carry hero who needs to endure long fights.

The downside is that health only increases through hero kills, which might be limiting in certain games. In patch 7.38, potential changes to jungle dynamics and lane interactions could significantly impact Lifestealer’s ability to farm and secure early kills. This feature will be particularly effective if the current meta favors early aggression.

Visage – Sepulchure

Dota 2 hero: Visage

Sepulchure: Grave Chill also affects creatures surrounding the target. The hero has the ability to summon gargoyles to his side. The strength of this ability lies in the enhanced effectiveness of Familiars in combat and when executing line fluffs, making Visage a formidable choice in team battles and when capturing objectives.

A notable weakness is that Familiars can be vulnerable to heroes capable of dealing significant AoE damage or those with disruptive abilities. In the current meta, if there are fewer heroes with strong AoE capabilities or if the game allows for more precise controls, Visage with enhanced Familiars can become very powerful.

Meepo – Codependent

Dota 2 hero: Meepo

Codependent: This facet creates an aura that increases both attack speed and armor for allies within a 600–radius area. Its strength lies in providing team support, enhancing the overall combat effectiveness of the team.

However, a weakness is that controlling Meepo already requires complex micromanagement, and adding the management of this aura could further complicate the gameplay. This aura could be crucial in Patch 7.38, potentially altering team fighting dynamics and map control. If the meta emphasizes large team fights, this aspect could become decisive.

Top 5 Worst Facets

We have compiled a list of facets that have the lowest win rates:

Morphling – Flow

Dota 2 hero: Morphling

Flow: This feature establishes Morphling’s primary attribute as strength, modifies Adaptive Strike to stun based on strength, and provides a 1% spell enhancement for every four points of dexterity. This facet can make Morphling more resilient;

It requires a careful balance between strength and dexterity for optimal effectiveness. Despite these potentially powerful mechanics, the low win rate of 46.70% may result from players favoring a different facet that is likely better suited to the current meta.

Chen – Troll Convert

Dota 2 hero: Chen

Troll Convert: This feature enables Chen to summon either a Hill Troll or a Dark Troll Summoner. These units grant additional abilities, like the Dark Troll’s Skeleton Summoner, which is useful for map control and farming.

The low win rate is attributed to the fact that other options, such as Satyr Convert (44.90%), provide more significant bonuses, including auras and additional control effects.

Templar Assassin – Hidden Reach

Dota 2 hero: Templar Assassin

Hidden Reach: Hidden Reach is associated with the Meld ability, which allows Templar Assassin to gradually increase her attack range while she is invisible. This enhancement can improve her capacity for surprise attacks and enable her to kite enemies more effectively.

This feature can be particularly beneficial in matches that require greater positional control. However, its low win rate may indicate the challenges of using it against heroes with powerful detection capabilities.

Kez – Shadowhawk

Dota 2 hero: Kez

Shadowhawk: The cooldowns for Shodo Sai and Kazurai Katana are reduced when the hero attacks a creature that has been marked by Shodo Sai. If this attack occurs while the hero is invisible, it delivers additional critical damage.

The low win rate may be attributed to players not fully adapting to the current meta; many prefer the Flutter aspect (46.59%). When switching to the katana, this aspect increases damage from the next attack or ability, while switching to the sai enhances movement speed.

Naga Siren – Deluge

Dota 2 hero: Naga Siren

Deluge: Deluge modifies Naga Siren’s third ability by dealing damage, reducing stat resistance, and limiting the maximum movement speed of nearby enemies. This ability can be effective for controlling and slowing down foes, particularly during team fights.

The low win rate suggests that the Deluge aspect is less effective in the current meta, where farming speed and the creation of illusions for map pressure are crucial.

Changes in Patch 7.38

Patch 7.38 introduced notable changes, including updates to the map—such as expanded waterways—as well as modifications to game mechanics and various heroes. Upon analyzing the specific heroes in our list, it’s evident that not all aspects of these heroes were directly altered in this patch. Consequently, their performance in the current meta is likely influenced by the overall changes in the game dynamics, including the new maps and mechanics, which can impact strategies and team compositions.

Personal Insights & Strategies

We recommend focusing on high-win rate facets, such as Mephitic Shroud for Abaddon if your team needs strong defense or Fleshfeast for Lifestealer if you aim to dominate the late game.

Conclusion

In Patch 7.38, it’s essential to understand the strengths and weaknesses of different hero aspects to achieve success. The top facets provide significant advantages in team fighting and overall game control, while those with low win rates may require a more strategic approach or specific team compositions.

Stay tuned for updates from Blix to keep informed about the latest changes and maintain your competitive edge. We also recommend visiting the Reddit thread for more Dota 2 content.