Dota 2’s patch 7.39d dropped just in time to stir things up ahead of The International 2025, and it’s brought some serious changes to the meta.
From nerfs that hit top-tier picks to buffs that bring underused heroes back into the spotlight, this update is more than just a tune-up. It also comes with item adjustments and subtle map changes that could easily catch players off guard if they’re not paying attention.
Whether you’re grinding ranked matches or just watching the pros, getting familiar with the biggest buffs and nerfs of Dota 2 patch 7.39d will give you a clear edge. Some of your favorite heroes may play very differently now, and even a minor terrain shift could impact how you move, farm, or fight.
Table of contents
Biggest changes in patch 7.39d
Item changes
One of the biggest changes in Dota 2 patch 7.39d is that Blade Mail is no longer the powerhouse it used to be. Its damage return and bonus damage got reduced, so tanky initiators like Axe can’t just pop it and expect to wipe out enemy carries in one go. Now, it’s more about timing and less about brute force, so make sure to use it efficiently, or you won’t get the value you’re used to.
Maelstrom and Mjollnir also took a hit, especially for players who relied on them to shred illusions. The chain lightning no longer deals bonus damage to illusions, giving heroes like Phantom Lancer or Terrorblade a bit more room to shine. These items are still solid, but not the go-to illusion counter they once were.
Hurricane Pike and Dragon Lance saw their attack range and stats trimmed down. It’s a subtle nerf, but ranged carries won’t feel quite as dominant when kiting or sieging from a distance. Apart from that, Glimmer Cape took a hit and now has a longer cooldown. So you’ll need to be more careful about when to use it, especially in teamfights.
Other items like Mask of Madness, Heaven’s Halberd, and Octarine Core got small tweaks too. These aren’t meta-breaking changes, but they might make you rethink certain builds, especially if you’re optimizing for late-game impact.
Hero buffs
Bloodseeker now heals more from his abilities, which means he can jump into fights, stay alive longer, and deal damage without backing off. If you’re playing against him, be careful, as his sustain makes him tough to bring down in long battles.
Faceless Void got cooldown buffs, so his big ultimate, Chronosphere, is ready more often. His Time Lock is also stronger, which helps him deal more damage. He’s now more dependable in both teamfights and split-push plays. Earth Spirit got a buff to his base damage, making him stronger during the laning stage.
Skywrath Mage’s Aghanim’s Shard now shoots more magic bolts, giving him better burst damage when used well. Bounty Hunter gives more bonus gold with Track, so playing aggressively helps your team snowball faster and take control of the game.
Other heroes like Luna, Treant Protector, Vengeful Spirit, Grimstroke, and Zeus also got helpful buffs that might bring them back into the meta.
Nerfed heroes
Nature’s Prophet isn’t quite as scary as he used to be. His healing from the Soothing Saplings facet is weaker, and Sprout no longer hits as hard at higher levels. Although he’s still great for global pressure, he won’t dominate early lanes or the late game like before.
Shadow Shaman got a big hit where it hurts: Mass Serpent Wards now attack Roshan more slowly. That means those sneaky early Roshan plays won’t be as easy to pull off and will need better team coordination.
Naga Siren’s ultimate, Song of the Siren, now has a smaller cast range, and her tanky facet isn’t as strong. She’s still elusive and annoying to pin down, but she’s not the late-game nightmare she used to be. Apart from that, Axe had his Berserker’s Call mana cost increased, and Culling Blade now gives less bonus armor. Combined with the Blade Mail nerf, he’s not the easy go-to for punishing greedy carries anymore.
Templar Assassin received a small damage nerf, which slightly slows down her early snowball potential. You’ll need a bit more precision to dominate your lane with her now.
Other heroes like Batrider, Undying, and Queen of Pain also saw reductions in base stats and scaling, subtle adjustments aimed at balancing their win rates. These nerfs might not make them unpickable, but they’ll require smarter play and better timing to stay effective.
Map changes
The Ancient camps in the Triangle just got easier to stack, thanks to larger spawnboxes; you don’t have to stress over pixel-perfect stacks anymore. It’s a small change, but it makes a big difference for supports and greedy cores farming stacks.
On top of that, Radiant’s safelane warding and Dire’s pull camps have been fine-tuned for better balance. This tweak helps even out vision control and early-game lane pressure, so both sides now have a fairer shot at winning the laning phase.
Impact of 7.39d on Dota 2 meta
With The International 2025 right around the corner, 7.39d is expected to shake up the Dota 2 meta for a fresh gameplay experience. Based on the changes in this patch, here’s what we can expect in our pub stomps as well as in professional tournaments.
Illusion heroes like Phantom Lancer and Terrorblade might finally get their moment again, thanks to nerfs hitting some of their biggest item counters. With fewer tools to shut them down, these tricky heroes could become strong picks in the current patch.
Meanwhile, fan-favorites like Nature’s Prophet, Shadow Shaman, Axe, and even Naga herself have been toned down a bit. Their dominance won’t be as overwhelming, making room for other heroes to shine. Buffs to Bloodseeker and Faceless Void are also worth noting, as these two could climb the ranks in faster, coordinated matches.
Patch 7.39d is all about balancing things out. It doesn’t completely flip the meta, but it adds space for new strategies and off-meta picks, just in time for teams to start testing ideas ahead of TI. It’s a subtle shake-up, encouraging fresh drafts and creative plays while keeping matches exciting and fair.
For more news and updates on Dota 2 heading into The International 2025, check out if there will be a battle pass soon, and how to collect all the free rewards from Quartero’s Curios.
Published: Aug 8, 2025 01:50 am