Patch 6.88c for Dota 2 makes changes to TI6’s most played and unpicked heroes

This year’s Dota 2 eSport spectacle, The International, broke the record for most heroes picked. Out of the huge roster of 110 characters, only 6 were left completely untouched throughout the event. Bloodseeker, Jakiro, Leshrac, Lina, Treant Protector, and Visage just weren’t cool enough for the meta it seems.

Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, heroes like Mirana, Shadow Demon, Drow Ranger, Timbersaw and Elder Titan were hotly contested. They saw regular play (and bans) throughout the tournament. When they were picked up, they were used to great success. Shadow Demon for example, had a win rate of 70.83% on the main stage, which is pretty damn ridiculous (via Dotabuff).

With all of the above in mind, take a look at the latest Dota 2 patch, which Valve quietly released over the weekend.

• Disruption illusion damage taken increased from 150% to 200%
• Echo Stomped units no longer get targeted by towers or creeps (like nightmare)
• Echo Stomp damage decreased from 85/110/135/160 to 70/100/130/160
• Starstorm Aghanim upgrade no longer releases a second meteor
• Reactive Armor duration decreased from 14/16/18/20 to 10/13/16/19
• Gust cooldown increased from 13 to 16/15/14/13
• Chronosphere cooldown increased from 130/115/100 to 140/125/110
• False Promise cooldown increased from 90/60/30 to 100/65/30
• Lina’s Base Attack Time improved from 1.7 to 1.6
• Rupture damage increased from 26/42/60% to 30/45/60%
• Leshrac’s movement speed increased from 320 to 325
• Living Armor regeneration bonus increased from 4/7/10/13 to 4/8/12/16
• Stone Form stun delay reduced from 0.85 to 0.55
• Lane creeps now give 35% of experience when denied by neutrals rather than 20% (normal player denies give 50% experience).

As you can see, the goal of this update was clearly bring balance to the force Dota 2. All of TI6’s top picked heroes have received some nerf or other, while all the unpicked characters (bar Jakiro for some reason) have received buffs.

Overall, they may not be huge changes, but this patch is more than likely going to impact the meta in a big way. It’s interesting that Valve put it out so quickly actually. I really thought they were going to wait until they dropped the New Journey update. It’s due in the next month or two, and it’ll contain a further balance changes I’m sure, along with a brand new hero – Monkey King.

Speaking of new heroes, Underlord, also unveiled at TI6, is due soon. He’ll be out this week as a matter of fact. I wonder what impact he’ll have on the game?

Anyhow, what do you think of this patch? Were Valve a bit too hasty in putting it out, or were these changes needed immediately?

Last Updated: August 22, 2016