Everything You Need to Know About Dota 2 Patch 7.38 "Wandering Waters"

On February 19, 2025, Valve released Dota 2 Patch 7.38, named "Wandering Waters". This huge update changed a lot of the game's landscape, introducing changes to the map, hero balance, item system, and core mechanics. Let's talk about all the changes and their expected impacts for the meta.

Map Overhaul: The Flooding of Dota

The most visually striking change in Patch 7.38 is the transformation of the map. True to its name, "Wandering Waters" has introduced a new network of streams and rivers that have altered the terrain and gameplay dynamics.

New Waterways and Movement Mechanics

• Flooded areas: The top and bottom outer rim areas are now traversable waterways.
• Current system: These streams feature a current that affects hero movement speed.
• Speed bonuses: Moving downstream grants up to 150 bonus movement speed in "strong current" areas and up to 100 in "moderate current" sections.
• Strategic implications: This new system encourages dynamic rotations and creates opportunities for surprise ganks and escapes.

Roshan's Return to the River

Roshan, Dota 2's most iconic neutral creep, has returned to the river.

• New locations: Roshan now alternates between two pits in the river, near the Power Rune spawns.
• Day/night cycle: He spawns in the southern pit during the day and moves to the northern pit at night.
• Mid lane impact: Roshan's movement between pits affects the mid lane, as he tosses aside any units in his path.

Other Map Changes

• Tormentor modifications: Only one Tormentor spawns at a time, leaving behind a healing aura upon death.
• Shrines of Wisdom: These have replaced the previous Wisdom Runes and Lotus Pools, encouraging more contested fights for their benefits.
• New neutral creeps: Amphibious creatures now inhabit the river, evolving as the match progresses.

Hero Balance: Winners and Losers

The patch has impacted hero balance, creating new meta favorites and relegating others to the sidelines.

Top 5 Winners

1. Arc Warden: Now a Universal Hero with significant reworks to abilities and new facets. The "Runed Replica" facet gives powerful rune effects to Tempest Double, while "Power Capture" allows permanent attribute gains from runes. These changes make Arc Warden more versatile and potentially stronger in various stages of the game.
2. Invoker: Received major buffs and reworks, including becoming an Intelligence hero and getting three new orb-centered facets. The ability to reach level 10 in orbs with Aghanim's Scepter and the new facet-specific upgrades greatly enhance Invoker's power and flexibility.
3. Mirana: Transformed into an Agility hero with significant base stat increases and new facets. "Starstruck" enhances Starstorm's power, while "Leaps and Bounds" adds a root effect to Leap, greatly improving her teamfight potential and ganking ability.
4. Vengeful Spirit: Now an Agility hero with substantial base damage increase and higher attribute gains. These changes, combined with the buff to Retribution (bonus damage increased from 10% to 20%), make Vengeful Spirit a much stronger core hero option.
5. Windranger: Received significant base damage and attribute gain increases, along with new powerful facets. "Tangled" adds bonus damage for each shackled unit, while "Killshot" gives Powershot an execute ability, greatly enhancing her damage output and kill potential.

Top 5 Losers

1. Lifestealer: Lost two facets (Rage and Unfettered) and had his base movement speed reduced. While he gained new facets, the loss of these core abilities may significantly impact his playstyle and effectiveness.
2. Morphling: Lost the Adaptive Strike (Strength) ability and had significant changes to his facets and abilities. The merging of Adaptive Strike abilities and the rework of his facets may reduce his flexibility and power in certain situations.
3. Pudge: Lost the Flayer's Hook facet and the Eject ability. While he gained new facets, the loss of these signature abilities may change his playstyle and reduce his effectiveness in certain situations.
4. Shadow Shaman: Lost the Cluster Cluck facet and had significant changes to his abilities. The reworks to Shackles and Mass Serpent Ward may alter his playstyle and potentially reduce his teamfight impact.
5. Silencer: Received major reworks to core abilities like Arcane Curse and Last Word. While these changes aren't necessarily nerfs, they significantly alter his playstyle and may require players to adapt, potentially reducing his effectiveness in the short term.​

Item System Revamp

Patch 7.38 has introduced interesting changes to the item system, particularly affecting neutral items and core artifacts.

Neutral Item Overhaul

• New resource: Madstone introduced for crafting neutral items.
• Customization: Players can now craft unique neutral items suited to their playstyle.
• Components: Neutral items now consist of Artifacts and Enchantments.

Key Item Changes

1. Orb of Frost: New basic item slowing enemies and reducing healing.
2. Gleipnir: Reworked, no longer requires Maelstrom to build.
3. Abyssal Blade: Now a carry-focused item, crafted from Sange.
4. Bloodthorn: Converts 80% of physical damage to magical damage.
5. Hand of Midas: Now provides madstones when used on neutral creeps.

Core Gameplay Adjustments

Several fundamental mechanics need remastering, affecting how heroes develop and interact throughout the game.

Attribute and Skill Point Changes

• Universal Heroes: Damage per attribute decreased from 0.7 to 0.45.
• Skill points: Usable on All Attributes starting at level 2 instead of level 6.

Reflected Spells and Slow Resistance

• Reflected spells now benefit from all bonuses of the original cast, including Aghanim's upgrades.
• Slow Resistance increases minimum movement speed, enhancing its effectiveness.

Conclusion: A New Era for Dota 2

Patch 7.38 "Wandering Waters" represents one of the most substantial updates in Dota 2's history. By radically altering the map, rebalancing heroes, and introducing new systems like customizable neutral items, Valve has injected fresh excitement and strategic depth into the game.

As players and professional teams alike grapple with these changes, we can expect weeks of experimentation and discovery. The meta will undoubtedly continue to evolve as innovative strategies emerge and counter-strategies develop in response.

For Dota 2 enthusiasts, this patch offers a thrilling opportunity to rediscover the game they love. In summary, "Wandering Waters" promises to keep the Dota 2 experience fresh, challenging, and endlessly engaging for the foreseeable future

Feature image credits: Dota 2

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