Dota 2 is a massively popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Valve Corporation. The game has been around for over a decade and has continued to evolve and grow over the years. One of the ways that Dota 2 stays fresh and exciting is through regular updates and patches that introduce new features and make significant changes to gameplay mechanics.
One of the most recent patches, Patch 7.33, was released on April 20, 2023. This patch is significant in that it introduces new heroes and makes major changes to gameplay mechanics that are sure to shake up the Dota 2 meta. Here’s a closer look at some of the key changes introduced in Patch 7.33.
New Heroes: Universal Heroes
One of the most exciting changes in Patch 7.33 is the introduction of a new type of hero: Universal heroes. These heroes benefit equally from all three primary attributes (strength, agility, and intelligence) and can be built in a variety of different ways.
This is a departure from traditional heroes, which typically rely on one primary attribute to power their abilities and attacks. For example, strength heroes are usually tanks who can absorb a lot of damage, agility heroes are usually damage dealers who rely on speed and precision to take down enemies, and intelligence heroes are usually spellcasters who rely on their magical abilities to deal damage and control the battlefield.
With Universal heroes, players have more flexibility in how they build their heroes and can adapt to different situations and team compositions more easily. Some of the new Universal heroes introduced in Patch 7.33 include:
Lumina, the Radiant Protector: A support hero with the ability to heal allies and boost their damage output.
Bracken, the Verdant Guardian: A tanky hero with the ability to summon treants to fight alongside him.
Kael, the Arcane Master: A spellcaster with the ability to control enemies and disrupt their movements.
Gold Assist Formula Changes
Another major change introduced in Patch 7.33 is the new gold assist formula. In previous versions of Dota 2, gold was distributed among all players who participated in a kill based on the amount of damage they dealt to the enemy hero.
In Patch 7.33, the gold assist formula has been changed to prioritize the player who dealt the most damage to the enemy hero in the last few seconds before their death. This change is intended to reward players who are actively contributing to fights, rather than simply being in the right place at the right time.
The new gold assist formula is expected to shift the Dota 2 meta towards more early fights, as players will be more incentivized to engage in skirmishes and team fights in order to secure kills and gain gold.
Map Changes
Patch 7.33 also brings significant changes to the Dota 2 map. The map has been expanded to include new areas that can be explored by players, including a new jungle area and additional neutral camps.
In addition to the new areas, the layout of the existing map has also been tweaked. Some of the changes include:
Adjustments to the Roshan pit area, making it easier to contest Roshan.
Changes to the high ground areas of the map, making them more defensible.
Changes to the location and layout of some of the buildings on the map.
Item Changes
Patch 7.33 also brings changes to a number of items in the game. Some of the most significant changes include:
Black King Bar: The duration of the Black King Bar’s magic immunity effect has been reduced from 10 seconds to 8 seconds.
Blink Dagger: The cooldown for Blink Dagger has been increased from 12 seconds to 15 seconds.
Shadow Blade: The bonus attack damage provided by Shadow Blade has been increased from 30 to 35, and the cooldown has been reduced from 28 seconds to 25 seconds.
These changes to items will have a significant impact on the way that players approach the game. Heroes who rely heavily on certain items may need to adjust their playstyle in order to adapt to the new changes.
Reactions to Patch 7.33
As with any major update or patch, the Dota 2 community has had a lot to say about Patch 7.33. Many players and fans have been excited about the new Universal heroes and the changes to the gold assist formula, which are expected to make the game more dynamic and interesting.
However, there has also been some criticism of the patch. Some players feel that the changes are too drastic and will disrupt the existing meta too much. Others have complained that the new heroes are too powerful or that the changes to items will make certain heroes too weak.
Despite the mixed reactions, it’s clear that Patch 7.33 has brought significant changes to Dota 2. Whether these changes will ultimately be for the better or the worse remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the game will never be the same.
Conclusion
Dota 2’s Patch 7.33 is one of the most significant updates to the game in recent years. The introduction of Universal heroes and the changes to the gold assist formula are expected to shake up the Dota 2 meta and make the game more dynamic and interesting. The changes to the map and items will also have a significant impact on gameplay.
As with any major update, there are bound to be mixed reactions from the community. Some players will embrace the changes and adapt their playstyle, while others will resist and cling to the old ways. But one thing is certain: Patch 7.33 has ushered in a new era for Dota 2, and the game will never be the same.