Dota 2 Patch 7.41: Facets removed in latest gameplay update

Patch 7.41 has arrived, and it brings along a slew of latest gameplay updates to Dota 2, especially the removal of Facets. Besides the removal of facets, Innate abilities have received a slight tweak in terms of how they scale, new items have been added, and heroes have also undergone slight changes.

Let’s take a look at the most important changes in the new Dota 2 Patch 7.41 gameplay update:

What has changed in the Dota 2 Patch 7.41 Gameplay update?

General Updates

• Facets have been removed from the game completely.
• Innate abilities no longer scale with other abilities’ level; they now either provide fixed bonuses or improve based on the hero's level.
• Some terrain changes have been made involving Tormentor spawns, Lotus Pool, Twin Gates, etc.
• Some mechanical changes like Health Restoration, Lifesteal and damage manipulations have been made.

Hero Updates

Many heroes and their abilities have been reworked in the patch 7.41 gameplay update. Let’s explore which heroes have the potential to dominate the meta in Dota 2 because of the new patch.

• Crystal Maiden: Her new innate ability, Glacial Guard, actively behaves as a defence mechanism for the hero. It’s a passive ability where a portion of the mana Crystal Maiden spends on her abilities is converted into a physical barrier. We might just see a little more love for her in the new meta, especially in pro games.
• Enigma: Enigma’s new innate ability, Event Horizon, looks really good on the surface. All enemy units within a 700 radius, moving away from Enigma, will now have a movespeed penalty of 34%. So the further one tries to go away from him, the easier it is for him to catch you – provided it’s within the pre-determined radius.
• Nightstalker: Nightstalker’s Midnight Feast ability now allows the hero to heal himself when attacking enemy units. He can also activate the ability at night to instantly destroy a non-ancient creep and restore a percentage of his maximum health and mana.
• Phoenix: In his new ability, Dying Light, Phoenix deals 5% of its missing health as magic damage to enemies in a 400 radius every second.

• Shadow Shaman: We might see the hero back in the new meta because of his new ability, Urnaconda, where he can just throw a snake jar at a target location, and create a massive serpent ward that has 4x the base serpent ward damage and health.
• Spirit Breaker: Patch 7.41 might have just turned Spirit Breaker into an even more lethal menace. Greater Bash can now be upgraded by purchasing an Aghamin’s Scepter, which increases the knockback. If the knocked-back unit collides with another enemy unit, the second enemy is bashed, and the original target takes 25% of Greater Bash’s damage again. Will he become the next hero to dominate the meta? We think so!
• Tidehunter: Tidehunter’s new ability, Leviathan’s Catch, looks really exciting. Whenever Tidehunter kills an enemy hero or dies under his debuffs, a fish appears in their place for 30 seconds. The hero can now eat the fish to permanently gain 3 health, 2 attack range, and 1 bonus damage block. He also eats a fish every level up, so let’s prepare for a satiated yet hungry Tide in pub games.
• Lich: Lich’s Sacrifice ability is back, and this time in the form of an Innate ability. He can instantly kill an allied creep to gain mana and earn experience bounty from it. That itself is an interesting thing to bring back, and we might just see him making appearances in the meta.

Item Updates

The 7.41 patch also introduces new items and upgrades that could significantly change the way the game is played. Let’s explore which items are most likely to feature in the latest Dota 2 gameplay update.

• Blademail: The item hasn’t changed much in the Dota 2 patch 7.41 gameplay update. But what might make it a popular choice in games is the way it counters many of the new skills and abilities that heroes have gained.
• Hydra’s Breath: A combination of Specialist's Array, Dragon Lance, Orb of Venom and a recipe, amounting to 5900g, this new Dota 2 item provides immense firepower. It provides damage, agility, strength, and attack range (only for ranged heroes). If Sniper ever finds his way into the new meta, then this item is surely going to wreak havoc.

How will Patch 7.41 affect the meta?

Although the Dota 2 patch 7.41 update is extensive, its full impact will become clearer over time as the dust settles. It’s too early to conclude, but as we watch the professional scene unfold with the new patch, the meta trend will become much clearer.

In the meantime, you could read the official patch notes and notice the changes firsthand.

Stay tuned to the BLAST socials for more updates regarding the patch.