DOTA 2 has had a massive update released after the end of the first major, MDL Chengdu Major, of the 2019-20 DPC season. The Outlanders Update (patch version 7.23) was released on the 26 November 2019 after much waiting by the whole community. This patch introduce huge changes across the board, it seems almost all areas of DOTA have had some sort of change. Today we are going to look at the top ten changes that have come from this latest patch, let’s go.
10. Neutral items
Neutral creeps now have a chance to drop a select set of items. There are 62 neutral items (although some have now been removed) split over 5 tiers. As the game progresses the chances for getting an item from each tier changes, as the game goes on the higher tier items become available. This change will likely prevent stalemates from occurring, allowing games to end earlier. Minor updates have been made to cap neutral items at 3 items per tier per team and tier 1 items start dropping at 7 minutes. Please see the table below for tier timings and chances.
| Timing | Tier and Chance |
| 7+ minutes | 1: 10% |
| 15+ minutes | 2: 10% |
| 25+ minutes | 3: 10% |
| 35+ minutes | 3: 5% 4: 5% |
| 45+ minutes | 4: 10% |
| 70+ minutes | 5: 10% |
9. Ring of Aquila
The glorious Ring of Aquila makes a return to the game. Introduced back with the neutral items, it is a tier two item. It will start dropping at 15 minutes and has the same stats and abilities as before.
8. Snapfire
The first of the two heroes dropping in this patch is Snapfire, affectionately named “granny”. This hero was shown off during TI9 creating much buzz for this hero. She is mainly played as a support and has some great nuking abilities.
7. Poor Man’s Shield
Along with the Ring of Aquila, the Poor Man’s Shield also makes a return. It is now a tier one neutral item, dropping from 7 minutes onwards, with the same stats and abilities as before. So get jungling and get your nostalgia hit.
6. Couriers galore!
You get a courier, you get a courier, everyone gets a courier! Icefrog has gone all Oprah on couriers. Everyone gets a courier now and they provide many more benefits. They give you passive gold per minute and at level 25 they can use items. Hats right, they can use items. Ultra late game DOTA 2 is going to be a crazy affair from now on. Also the flying upgrade is given for free once you reach level 5.
5. Stout Shield gone
Poor old stout shield has been evicted from DOTA 2. No longer can you double stout shield to defeat broodmother or increase your protection in lane. Although melee heroes received a built in 8 damage block to compensate for this removal.
4. Void Spirit
The second hero release this patch was Void Spirit. Now reunited with his three spirit brothers, Earth, Storm and Ember. Void Spirit is a versatile hero that can carry and has great nuking abilities. He can succeed in all lanes and scales well into the late game. It will be interesting to see how he gets played in the pro scene.
3. Hero changes
This update also brings updates to most if not all of DOTA 2’s heroes. These changes will improve the balance and shakeup the meta. Morphling and ES combos are no longer overpowered. Treant Protector got a massive shakeup. And now Lifestealer is a top tier support. Icefrog’s hero changes always make every patch exciting and new.
2. Side shops closed
Due to lack of business the side shops have been closed. Luckily everyone has a courier so getting your items is much easier than before. But what will replace the side shops…
1. Outposts
New objectives have been added to DOTA 2. These outposts sit at the same spot as side shops but they have a different function. From 10 minutes onwards, every 5 minutes teams that have control of an outpost will receive an experience boost. This means every 5 minutes you will need to fight to capture or regain control of these outpost to keep your EXP advantage. And you will need it now that the max level is 30! Level 30 will unlock your whole talent tree, greatly buffing the heroes that reach that level.
There are many other changes in the update and already there have been a few minor patches to to improve the balance. And I am sure there is more to come to keep this incredible game lively and enjoyable. Have you been playing in the latest patch? What has been your favourite changes? Let us know in the comments below.
Alche is a passionate writer about many topics and wants to share knowledge in a simple way so all readers can enjoy and learn.