Breaking Down Dota 2 Patch 7.26a

Patch 7.26a has now been live in Dota 2 for a few days and we can finally discuss how the most recent changes are affecting players in both casual and competitive games. Some the changes were expected by the community in general relating to other changes from a previous patch, and it is best to consider some of these changes as an overall effort to slow down early-game level ga


This means that certain heroes who have a high base movement speed such as Keeper of the Light will benefit less from the use of these items compared to before because they are receiving a bonus that disregards their inherently high base speed. On the opposite end of things, heroes that are inherently slower in their base speed like Medusa will benefit slightly by becoming faster than when using percentage-based bonus items for movement speed. Players who do not pay attention to this change will certainly be in for a rude awakening as they slightly overextend with a hero that was slightly faster only last w


The top lane has changed drastically in the past few years, much thanks to a greater diversity of archetypes that can fit into each role. While the top lane used to be mostly populated by heavy tanks, this meme successfully illustrates how some of the game’s best current top laners are vicious fighters with an alarming amount of speed and dam


Role assignments are a little different compared to Summoner's Rift with 3 laners and 2 junglers compared to the 5 specialized roles in a normal League of Legends match. Additionally, Nexus Blitz only has 2 lanes so 1 player will always be going solo against an opponent. The jungle is split between the 2 lanes, with various camps filled by tougher monsters than those found on Summoner's Rift. The 2 junglers must work together to clear these camps, but will share increased EXP, gold, and buffs by doing


To put it frankly, G2 may not have made the playoffs were it not for Caps’ MVP season. Even after six straight domestic titles, an MSI victory, and back to back World’s Finals appearances, Caps continues to find ways to impress. In a region famous for its mid laners, Caps stands above. He comes into the tournament with hopes for a third shot at the title and to finally prove the best player in the world does not have to come from the e


Gnar has been a mainstay in the top lane since his release in the summer of 2014, and many consider him to be the cutest of the Yordles, but appearances can be deceiving. When Gnar uses his ultimate he transforms into Mega Gnar, an angry behemoth who is capable of knocking back and slowing the entire enemy t


Since his debut in 2012, Jayce has been troublesome to deal with at top lane , and it all stems from his ability to swap between a melee and ranged form. When pressing R Jayce's Mercury Hammer transforms into the Mercury Canon, and with the right items, he can take off half of an opponent's health with one s


Yasuo has already received a Legendary skin with amazing effects, and considering an Ultimate skin costs over $30, Riot would be foolish not to give one to Yasuo, especially if they do something like "Sword Master Yasuo" which allows him to change the appearance and effects of his sword-similar to Cloud from Final Fantasy


League has several champions who can be considered mascots, and Teemo is definitely one of them. Teemo is special because people love to play him, but they also hate playing against him, and it has to do with the fact that he poisons and blinds opponents, but he also places poisonous mushrooms throughout the map that turn invisible and explode on cont


King of the Hill: An area on the map becomes marked and teams have to stay there long enough to win. Because of that condition, any champions with circular AOE or extreme damage within an area like Illaoi can swiftly kill a team just standing st


One of the last great things about the top lane is just how many champions you could try these out can put in it. There are tons of traditional champions built to fill the roles of a lane, but anything from spellcasters like Vlad to support mages like Soraka can be some surprisingly powerful characters . There are tons of ways to play, and few are inherently wr


Since the top lane can be such a slow grind, and thanks to Nasus’s great health regeneration, he can often get this ability to reach some hilarious heights . If you’re a spellcaster or glass cannon like Kayle from this meme, you might as well be a pile of sticks if you get within a few feet of


Other heroes have seen reductions in the movement speed of their base kit or of certain abilities, which is in line with the changes made the movement speed items listed above. Batrider’s Firefly speed bonus, Bloodseeker’s Thirst, Broothmother’s Spin Web, and Death Prophet are all heroes or abilities that have seen such movement speed reducti


Cho'Gath made his Summoner's Rift debut back in 2008, and the Terror of the Void has since received two Legendary skins-even though Gentleman Cho'Gath feels more like a simple re-skin, but at least his Battlecast skin comes with its own effects and animati