This automatically maxes out a hero's standard +2 All Attributes bonuses by level 22, smoothing out mid-game power spikes across the board. Map & Objective Hardening
Now rewards a choice between a localized, single-use Refresher Shard or a new consumable item: The Aegis Shielding Rune , which grants the holder a spell shield for 45 seconds.
Includes displacement/heal ( Catchy Lick ), stun-heavy Frogstomp , and Croak of Genius for damage amplification.
Several items had their costs reduced to allow for faster power spikes, including the Shadow Amulet (now 900 gold) and Voodoo Mask (now 650 gold). Bloodstone Buff: Spell Lifesteal bonus was increased to
Grants the user and nearby allies a 4-second burst of 25% movement speed and turns them invisible. Breaking the invisibility triggers a brief physical shield that absorbs 300 damage. Orchid Malevolence Recipe cost reduced by 200 gold. dota 2 patch 740
Discourages premature base rushes; rewards disciplined lane pressure. Select hero facets bumped up to 7 attribute bonuses. Boosts the early-game viability of specialized hero niches. Economy Dynamics
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The update redefined the importance of the laning stage and resource management.
In response to feedback and to fine-tune the new meta, Valve quickly followed up with two subsequent updates. Patch 7.40b, released shortly after, focused on squashing dozens of bugs and addressing minor inconsistencies across heroes like Kez, Largo, and Rubick. This was followed by the more significant 7.40c update on January 22, 2026, which officially added Largo to Captain’s Mode for competitive play. It also delivered a sweeping round of balance changes, including heavy nerfs to dominant heroes like Clinkz and Broodmother, while providing minor buffs to others like Batrider and Earthshaker. This automatically maxes out a hero's standard +2
, making it a more attractive option for magic-heavy cores, though the Bloodpact multiplier was slightly reduced.
Patch 7.40 is HERE. The landscape of Dota 2 shifts once again.
The item economy dictates power spikes. Patch 7.40 introduces a few new components while nerfing stale, ubiquitous items that dominated previous metas. New Item: Aetherial Lens Upgrade
Arriving just before the playoffs of , the patch initially sparked controversy among professional players. While some, like Several items had their costs reduced to allow
Teams that pick flexible draft lineups capable of fighting early around the revised map objectives will find the most success. Expect active offlaners and high-mobility mid-laners to dominate the drafting phase as players around the world adapt to this thrilling new chapter of Dota 2.
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Subtle reductions to base attack speed and changes to how their skill shots scale without core item investments will likely guide them back toward dedicated utility or specialized core positions.
: "Defender's gates" were added near the safe lane streams, and Wisdom Shrines were moved to low ground areas.