The highly anticipated Dota 2 patch 7.35d has finally been released, although Crownfall is still missing. Despite this, there are significant changes to the game that players should be aware of.
Credit: Valve
Ban Phase Revamp
With the release of Dota 2 patch 7.35d, changes have been made to the ban phase and matchmaking analysis in the game.
Valve announced in a blog post accompanying the patch that they are taking action against cheaters in Dota. The new ban phase will now allow players to select 4 heroes they do not want to play against on their profile, with at least 1 hero guaranteed to be banned every game. This change aims to discourage players from seeking unfair advantages.
Leaving empty slots will not provide any advantage, as the slots may be banned, resulting in no ban choices being granted.
This streamlined ban phase is expected to reduce time pressure and complexity. It remains to be seen how this will impact matchmaking and whether players will be matched against those with similar bans, potentially expanding the available hero pool while limiting potential matchups.
New Matchmaking Analytics for Dota Labs
Credit: Valve
Dota Plus users will now have access to matchmaking data through Dota Labs before accepting a match. This includes match quality, skill balance, and behavior score information, providing players with insights into how their matches are generated.
Valve seems to be focusing on player preferences, recognizing that different players have varied priorities and preferences.
Questions remain regarding potential requeues if a player declines a match and the frequency of such occurrences, but in theory, this new feature could enhance player experience.
RIP Rapier in Dota 2 Patch 7.35d
Despite the changes in the latest Dota 2 patch, Crownfall is still on the horizon, expected to arrive in mid-April. This timing may pose challenges for professional players gearing up for the ESL One Birmingham Major starting on April 22nd.
Meanwhile, minor changes have been introduced in Dota 2 patch 7.35d, including a significant alteration to the Divine Rapier:
Damage bonus decreased from +350 to +100No longer provides 25% Spell Amplification by defaultNow can be toggled between two modes: one provides additional +250 Damage, another one provides +25% Spell Amplification. Cooldown: 6s.
The Divine Rapier, known for its high-risk, high-reward gameplay, has been reshaped into a new item with reduced damage bonuses and a toggle feature. This item has historically been a game-changer in long matches, but its overhaul will require players to adapt and strategize differently to secure victory.
