Into the water: Valve rolls out a massive Dota 2 update

Dota 2 fans have finally waited for the release of a major update, which will add new resources to the game and significantly affect the map of the universe. Gamers are waiting for amphibious creeps, the victory over which will allow you to get crazy stones, necessary for creating and pumping items. These mechanics will affect the ability to customize to each user's play style. More details - in the material "Izvestia".

Long-awaited update Dota 2 - patch 7.38

Dota 2 - one of the most dynamic games of the MOBA genre, with millions of users around the world. Each update from the developers significantly affects gameplay, from character characteristics to the locations and resources surrounding the heroes.

On the night of February 18-19, Valve released a major patch 7.38, dubbed "Free Waters." It significantly overhauls the structure of the game's universe, adding new artifacts and changing the map landscape. Now players can risk getting their feet wet in rivers, if they dare to enter them: there are special creeps in flooded areas.

Besides, there is one more significant event in the world of Dota: from February 16 to March 2, 16 cybersports teams are competing in the DreamLeague Season 25 tournament. The prize pool of the competition is The Serbian (originally Russian) team Team Spirit has already defeated Canadian Gaimin Gladiators in the final match of the third game day of the first group stage, securing their passage to the second group stage and first place in Group B of the first group stage. The final matches of Group B will begin on February 19 at 21:30 Moscow time.

What's new in Dota 2

"Free Waters" - the largest update of the game since last summer. The developers significantly changed the map and the main aspects of gameplay, as well as added new resources with unique neutral items.

As Valve admitted on their official website, "Dota has always remained the only game that considers water to be the most valuable resource." Water streams divided the opposing factions of Light and Dark. The creators remade the river that crosses the lands of the universe: it became wider and "accelerates all those who follow the flow of new streams." In other words, moving in the direction of the water, the heroes get a bonus to running speed, and moving against the stream, they become slower. A new danger awaits users on the water: evolving amphibious creeps, meeting with which can turn deadly. Every five minutes the creatures' camp changes.

The most noticeable change in the landscape was the relocation of Roshan's lair closer to the center - now the caves (there are two of them again, as it was before) are again located between the lines on the river at the corners of the map. The new locations are near the reinforcement runes, and the Immortal himself, as in previous patches, will move from one lair to another. True, now the creep will have to move on foot, not with the help of a portal.

Innovations have also affected the Terzateli: they no longer spawn (not revived) near the base of each team, and appear in one of the two corners of the map depending on the time of day. Creeps also received a new ability - after killing them, all units in the corresponding area will be healed.

Wisdom runes have been removed from Dota 2 - they have been replaced with more powerful Shrines. They will also give the hero and ally some experience, but for this you will have to stand in the temple and destroy all enemies nearby.

In addition, new features will make the gameplay more convenient. Thus, there will be a timer of Roshan's revival, tags about selling an item, display of selected talents, timers for abilities and effects, instant use of items from the backpack without a six-second wait, and also - improved visual effects.

Mad Stone, or Madrood

Patch 7.38 adds a new water-related resource to Dota 2 - Madstone. With it, gamers will be able to create neutral items and customize them depending on their requirements and play style, as well as watch their teammates do the same.

Each neutral item now consists of two parts: an artifact and an enchantment. The artifact gives the item new abilities (can be passive and/or active), and enchantments add passive bonuses to characteristics or attributes.

In order to get a madrude, you need to clear the camp of neutral creeps on the river. After that, the player will receive two stones: one for himself and one for a random ally.

The full list of changes can be found on the official website of the game.

System Requirements

Minimum:

• Operating system: Windows 7 / 8 / 10
• Processor: 2.80 GHz dual-core Intel or AMD processor
• RAM: 4 GB
• Video card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600/9600GT, ATI/AMD Radeon HD2600/3600
• Hard disk space: 60 GB

Recommended:

• Operating system: Windows 10 / 11
• Processor: Intel Core i3 13100 / AMD Ryzen 5 5500
• RAM: 8 GB
• Video card: GeForce RTX 3050 / Radeon RX 6600
• Hard disk space: 60 GB