Valve Releases Dota 2 Patch Just Days Before TI12 Kickoff

The latest Dota 2 patch, 7.34d, may not bring monumental shifts to the game, but it aims to foster a more balanced meta leading up to The International.

This update primarily focuses on making minor adjustments to both popular and less-used heroes and items, with around half of the hero pool remaining untouched.

Heroes that dominated DreamLeague S21, such as Phantom Assassin, Gyrocopter, and Pangolier, have received slight nerfs. In contrast, less frequently seen heroes like Ogre Magi, Magnus, Spectre, and Abaddon have received minor buffs.

Perhaps the most impactful change in this patch is related to Ninja Gear, a tier four neutral item that had been widely exploited. Ninja Gear now has a longer cooldown, increased from 45 seconds to 60 seconds, and the Smoke of Deceit effect is removed when the hero loses the item.

While this patch may not introduce groundbreaking alterations, it aims to create a more balanced hero power level in preparation for The International, scheduled to take place from October 12 to 29.

You can read the full 7.34d patch notes here.