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Arise DOTA fans! Instead of moping over the cancellation of The International 2020 and spending the entire day with Diretide, fans can now witness a breath of fresh air with the newest major update in DOTA 2. Mistwoods is officially out with a new hero, a new set of items, and a plethora of surprises that will make every ranked game into a jumpscare. We will always be horrified when Monkey King, Dark Willow, and Grimstroke cheesed their way in every pub game during their initial release. Will it be the same with the newest hero?
Here are things that you need to know about the Mistwoods update.
NEW DOTA HERO – HOODWINK
She does live up to her name as the newest entry in DOTA 2's hero pool will definitely deceive you. Her furry features may seem to make her look like your house pet but Hoodwink can be a thorn in your pub matches. Like most newcomers in the DOTA 2 scene, expect her abilities to surprise you in many ways possible.
Her first skill bounces a projectile across multiple targets and offers additional damage. It could also summon a tree to create a combo move with her second skill, that wraps targets on a tree. Her third skill, increases her movement speed while near trees and ignores terrain collisions. Her ultimate functions similarly to Sniper's assassinate, but requires a huge degree of accuracy from the player.
Given her zonal presence with her second skill and her ability to potentially dominate 1-v-1 situations, Hoodwink will definitely be a staple at the midlane. She may likewise function as a roaming support given her movement speed buff and her second skill.
Could she be a ranged carry similar to Drow Ranger? Why not you give it a try, hoping your teammates will not flame you for any misunderstandings. Maybe she can be devastating especially when paired with Abaddon. You might still have to be careful with this decision as Drow can silence her opponents and still keep her distance while Hoodwink may still be an easy prey even when running away.
AGHANIM'S SHARDS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmMlOH9RTNs
If acquiring that Aghanim's Scepter feels like washing dishes for an hour then perhaps the alternative could suit you well. The Aghanim's Shards are cheaper and they offer a permanent ability for your hero. You'll have to wait for 20 minutes though for you to purchase one and the abilities from its Scepter counterpart are extremely different. For example, if Sven's Scepter upgrade gives him the ability to lunge towards his targets with his Storm Hammer, his Shard upgrade allows him to dispel targets instead.
This newest addition could potentially help support players acquire new abilities without the need to grind their way and invest a huge chunk of money for a Scepter. This could even give them an added impact in teamfights. If Keeper of the Light requires a Scepter to massively change the scope of teamfights, his Shard could allow him to do the same as he can heal his teammates.
But the newest item can also be used by core players who wish to wreck more havoc. Huskar's Inner Fire reduces regeneration when equipped with the Shard, making him more devastating in 1-v-1 situations.
HERO CHANGES
Like every DOTA patch update, there will always be heroes that need an overdose of steroids and there are those that should instead be given Vitamin-C. Here are some massive changes that occurred.
1.) ALCHEMIST
You can now easily obliterate creeps with the added damage of your Acid Spray, however the gold accumulation was reduced. The scepter changes offer a unique twist as teammates who already have a Scepter can now acquire extra gold when Alchemist gives them an additional Scepter. It's a good way to help your core or support in acquiring the most important game changing items.
To make matters even more enticing are the full stat bonuses that teammates will receive when Alchemist gives them a Scepter buff. Opposing players are forced to lessen the game's duration as the current changes have boosted Alchemist's late game presence in DOTA.
2.) BREWMASTER
Brewmaster users can now celebrate as the hero is more difficult to kill. Not only can he increase his chances of evading attacks with the active Drunken Brawler skill as his HP, armor, and magic and status resistance for his Primal Split forms have increased. His Scepter upgrade will be a nuisance as players can now cancel his Primal Split, and return to the original Brewmaster with full HP.
3.) IO
Core Io has more potential to make an impact due to the increase in base damage and Spirit damage. There's even the added bonus of spell amplification when casting Overcharge. His supporting counterpart on the other hand was nerfed as his healing effects have been reduced. His ultimate has a larger cooldown further diminishing his support function.
Based on these changes together with the upgrades on the Dominator, it's possible to relieve the core Io with Bristleback combination in tournaments or worse in pub matches.
4.) KEEPER OF THE LIGHT
Combining from the old and the new, comes the latest version of Keeper of the Light. Instead of Will-O-Wisp as the main ultimate, KOTL's Spirit Form returns and gives the hero his Blinding Light ability. Will-O-Wisp only happens when KOTL players have their Scepter upgrade. His Will-O-Wisp has been nerfed as heroes aren't stunned but instead they'll be pulled towards a certain direction. Heroes affected by the Wisp can still launch abilities and attack.
His new ability, Solar Bind, reduced magic resistance which allows KOTL to be an early game kiter.
5.) OUTWORLD DEVOURER I MEAN DESTROYER
Besides the name change, Outworld Destroyer is now a single target nuker given the changes in Astral Imprisonment. It no longer does area-of-effect damage, but instead increases its single target damage and range. The damage of his Sanity's Eclipse received a buff. His overall changes weaken his presence in teamfights as he no longer has the ability to clear cluttered groups of enemies, but he can be effective in in singlehandedly eliminating long distance isolated threats like Sniper or Snapfire.
6.) OTHER NOTABLE HERO CHANGES
Abaddon core can now be a more viable option given the early arrival of his damage talent and his Shard ability of applying Curse of Avernus while using Mist Coil and Aphotic Shield.
Arc Warden becomes a frightening presence in the late game due to his +12s Tempest Double Duration at level 25. His Scepter and Shard upgrades can be daunting to deal with as his Spark Wraiths can now spawn a new wraith and his Magnetic Field can push enemies away and offer a +20% magic resistance to allies. His midgame role could be hampered caused by some of the reductions on his talents.
Dark Willow's crowd controlling abilities have further enhanced given the increased range of her Cursed Crown and Bramble Maze. Her talents reveal lessened cooldowns on her Shadow Realm and Bramble Maze.
Tinker can now offer supportive duties with the Shard as he can cast Defense Matrix, that allows the target ally to absorb 200 damage. The targeted hero likewise receives a 40% status resistance.
Players who are averse on using Witch Doctor for his vulnerability while casting his ultimate can now relax as his Shard ability allows him to switch to a Death Ward. He becomes invulnerable during this phase.
Invoker's Ice Wall can now be a targeted spell when equipped with Aghanim's Shard making everyone feel the chill in DOTA much easier.
Article Continues Below
NEW ITEMS IN DOTA – FINALLY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tWi4uxqJAA
Valve has introduced new items in the game that offer their own twists in DOTA 2.
1.) FALCON BLADE
A good starter item for any damage dealer due to the added health, mana regen, and damage. It offers a cheap alternative to heroes struggling to find farming space.
2.) GLEIPNIR
If you're annoyed with Zeus Nimbus ability or Treant Protector's ultimate, maybe this item could potentially ruin you day. It allows the player to ensnare targets and unleash a chain lightning attack as well.
3.) MAGE SLAYER
Spellcasters beware as the name already implies its effects. Any targeted hero will have their spell amplifications reduced and it grants the wearer added magic resistance.
4.) ETERNAL SHROUD
Now who on earth invented this? This item creates a shield that absorbs a huge chunk of magical damage and converts it to mana. I wonder if this works with Medusa?
5.) UPGRADABLE HELM OF THE DOMINATOR
Once you buy the level 2 version of the Dominator, you can now command Ancients to do your bidding. You even acquire additional stat bonuses.
6.) BLINK DAGGERS CAN NOW BE UPGRADED TO THREE OPTIONS
- OPTION A: OVERWHELMING BLINK
- Landing at a destination will force surrounding enemies to have their movement speed and attack speed's dwindle. They likewise take damage equivalent to your strength. Talk about an RKO out of nowhere especially when paired with Earthshaker's ECHO SLAMA JAMA!
- OPTION B: SWIFT BLINK
- Landing at a destination will give you an additional phased movement speed. This means you can move past heroes blocking your way. You even gain an additional damage and attack speed buff. Time to scream “SURPRISE MOFOs!” with your core Windranger.
- OPTION C: ARCANE BLINK
- Landing at a destination will give you a cast point reduction a 25% cooldown reduction. You will definitely unleash a barrage of spells for eternity.
7.) WIND WAKER
One of the biggest wishes of support players is the ability to cast a cyclone on their allies. With Wind Waker, your wishes are finally answered. You can even move the tornado when you cast the cyclone on yourself.
OTHER CHANGES
Some neutral items have been removed and replaced. Gone are the days when you can relieve the glory days of the Poor Man's Shield and Iron Talon. Planting mango trees are no longer an option. The changes aren't limited to Tier 1 neutral items as they've also been applied to every tier.
Some of the most iconic features of some items have been removed. Satanic no longer offers Status Resistance and Heart of Tarrasque doesn't give you any out of combat HP regeneration.
You'll be surprised to see that matches no longer begin at day but at night.
It's a whole new world in DOTA but it was about damn time.
