5 Biggest Losers in Dota 2’s Patch 7.34d: Changes Before The International 2023

In the ever-evolving world of Dota 2, the game’s landscape changes with each update. Patch 7.34d, the final major patch before The International 2023 (TI 12), is a pivotal one that will define the game’s meta at the biggest Dota 2 event of the year. As with every update, some heroes have been adjusted and balanced with nerfs. In this article, we will explore the heroes that got hit the hardest right before TI.

1. Phantom Assassin

First on the list is Phantom Assassin, the hero Yatoro dubbed as the most broken hero in the previous meta. Phantom Assassin (PA) showcased incredible strength in the recently concluded DreamLeague Season 21 and high-ranked pub matches. As a result, the developers decided to tone down some of her powers before TI 12.

PA’s Blur, the strongest and most unique spell in her kit, received several nerfs. The vanish radius was increased from 400 to 500 units. This means if an enemy hero or tower is within 500 units, her Blur will be revealed. Aghanim’s Scepter upgrades for Blur were also nerfed, increasing the cooldown to 50% of the default cooldown. The upgraded vanish from Aghanim’s Scepter was removed, removing her ability to instantly vanish with Aghs. PA’s vision and elusiveness took a significant blow, but she still remains one of the best carries in the current meta. Due to her scaling and late-game security, PA will likely continue to appear in many drafts at TI.

2. Brewmaster

Next, we have Brewmaster, another hero who was bound to receive a nerf sooner or later. Brewmaster appeared incredibly powerful in recent times, leading to frequent bans in the latter stages of DreamLeague Season 21. Particularly against Brew specialists like 33 and Ace, it seemed impossible for enemies to win when facing Brew.

Brew’s ultimate, Primal Split, received significant nerfs. Previously, his Aghanim’s Shard upgrade allowed Brew to choose which Brewling he would revert to when Primal Split ended, resulting in a powerful spell. The update removed this upgrade, and Brew now reverts back according to the original Brewling priority. The mana cost was also increased. Drunken Brawler, another skill, had its buffs reduced from 3x to 2.5x. Despite these nerfs, Brewmaster remains a strong hero in teamfighting. The items typically purchased for Brewmaster, such as Spirit Vessel, Hand Of Midas, and Radiance, are still impactful. Expect to see Brewmaster frequently banned and picked at The International 2023.

3. Pangolier

At number 3, we have Pangolier, a highly prioritized hero by most teams heading into TI 12. Pangolier stood out as a versatile mid-laner in the patch, often being first-picked in many games and managing to make an impact regardless of the laning stage’s difficulty.

Pangolier received several numerical nerfs in patch 7.34d. The mana cost for Swashbuckle and Shield Crash was slightly increased at all levels, and Shield Crash damage was reduced from 280 to 240 at level 4. Despite these adjustments, Pangolier can still be put in the off-lane or position 4 if necessary. Expect Pangolier to be a highly contested hero as TI 2023 approaches.

4. Shadow Demon

Coming in second to last, we have Shadow Demon (SD), one of the best saving supports in the current meta alongside Vengeful Spirit. SD has shown incredible strength in recent patches, especially with the introduction of Aghs and Aghanim’s Shard upgrades, making him an absolute guardian angel for teammates.

SD’s Shard upgrade Demonic Cleanse and ultimate Demonic Purge received a minor nerf in the 7.34d update. The duration for both abilities was reduced by 1 second, resulting in a 6-second duration. Despite this nerf, SD’s saving capabilities remain strong. Disruption and Demonic Cleanse are still amazing saves and will be highly sought after by teams in high-stakes tournaments. Overall, SD remains one of the best supports in the game and will see frequent bans and picks.

5. Invoker

Last but not least, we have Invoker, the Arsenal Magus. Invoker has been one of the best heroes in the current meta, pleasing fans of magic. Similar to Pangolier, Invoker was frequently first picked by many teams, especially those with Invoker specialists in the mid lane.

Invoker received several nerfs in patch 7.34. His base health regeneration was decreased from 1 to 0.5, and Cold Snap’s self-heal per proc was reduced. The most significant nerf was to E.M.P, where Invoker now regains only 25% of the total mana burned instead of 50%. This nerf greatly impacts his ability to sustain his mana pool and maintain tempo. Despite these changes, Invoker remains a formidable hero. Expect to see him play a significant role in matches leading up to TI.

Closing Thoughts: Final Tweaks Before The International 2023

With The International 2023 just a week away, it’s no surprise that teams and heroes are being fine-tuned before the big event. The heroes mentioned above are undoubtedly some of the biggest losers in patch 7.34d, but they still hold substantial strength and will be a part of many strategies at TI. Keep an eye out for their performances and the impact they make on the grand stage.