Valve removes Meepo from Dota 2 hero pool ahead of Riyadh Masters

Valve announced in a July 3 update that it has temporarily removed Meepo from Dota 2's active hero pool. This decision comes in response to a series of game-breaking Meepo Dota 2 bugs that caused chaos in ranked play.

This removal's timing is crucial, as it comes just hours before the kickoff of Riyadh Masters ahead of the 2024 Esports World Cup, which will begin on July 4. For those who haven't been queueing up for ranked Dota 2 matches lately, the past week has seen an unprecedented influx of exploits centered around Meepo.

Meepo and friends have been causing all sorts of trouble. (Credit: Valve)

Meepo's been causing troubles for Dota 2 fans, but this is a new level

The trouble began when players discovered a Meepo Dota 2 exploit to generate infinite gold. This exploit involved purchasing a Manta Style, disconnecting from the game, dropping the item on the floor, and having teammates collect and sell the items for full value.

The bug gained widespread attention when popular streamer Janne "Gorgc" Stefanovski demonstrated it live, using the exploit to turn around an otherwise unwinnable match. This incident not only brought more attention to the Meepo bug but also seemed to open the floodgates for further exploits.

Shortly after the gold glitch, players found yet another Meepo Dota 2 bug which allowed them to place Divine Rapiers into the hero's neutral item slot. This prevented the Rapier from dropping upon Meepo's death, circumventing a crucial game mechanic designed to balance the item's power level.

While Valve quickly patched this particular issue, the back-to-back bugs surrounding Meepo suggested deeper problems with the hero's coding.

Implications

The decision to completely remove Meepo from the hero pool implies that there could be even more undiscovered bugs involving the hero. Valve likely required additional time to identify and fix all of these issues, a task made more challenging because July 4 is Independence Day in the United States, where Valve is headquartered.

For teams planning to utilize Meepo during the Esports World Cup 2024, this last-minute change leaves them with less than 24 hours to adjust their strategies. However, the impact on professional play is expected to be less severe than public matchmaking. Tournament rules strictly prohibit the exploitation of bugs, with severe penalties for teams caught doing so. The primary concern for organizers was likely the potential for accidental bug triggers or the need for frequent pauses to address Meepo-related issues.

While Meepo Dota 2 enthusiasts may be disappointed, the removal ensures a fair playing field free from game-breaking exploits. As of now, Valve hasn't provided a timeline for Meepo's return to the game.

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Featured Image Source: Valve