Dota 2 Patch 7.38 summary: everything you need to know about the Wandering Waters update

Patch 7.38 has undeniably changed the way Dota 2 is played, its map, and its mechanics. Even analysts and professionals seem to be having a difficult time adjusting to the new changes. The Wandering Wonders update was massive, adding a ton of new mechanics, so let’s break down the most important ones in the clearest way possible.

Credit: Valve Corporation

Map and Objective Changes

Roshan

• Now starts in a new location: the river near runes.

• Switches between his two hiding spots according to the day/night cycle from minute 15.

• The active lair is shown on the minimap.

• Now has 25% stronger base and bonus slow resistance.

• Gained a new ability: throws heroes 1,500 units away, dealing increasing damage for a short time.

Rivers on the Map

• Strong currents aid movement in the direction of flow:

  • Strong current: +150 movement speed

  • Medium current: +100 movement speed

• Moving against the current has no effect.

• Flow direction: From Tier 3 towers to Tier 1, merging with jungle streams.

Wisdom Altars

• Replaces Wisdom Runes.

• Located between Tier 1 and Tier 2 towers in the jungle.

• XP Sharing System:

  • XP is awarded based on proximity to the objective.

  • Players must stay within 300 meters of a non-contaminated location for 3 uninterrupted minutes.

  • Lowest-level player (except one teammate) gets bonus XP.

• Enemy capture grants XP streams.

Lotus Pools

• Heroes auto-collect gold if no enemies are nearby (within 350 meters).

• Gold collection rate:

  • First coin: 1.5 seconds

  • Subsequent coins: 30% faster

• Interrupted by enemy presence.

Tormentor

• Appears at 15:00 in Roshan’s old location.

• Rotates altars from east to west.

• Gold stream mechanics:

  • Dragons drop 2 coins (1 for chosen ally).

  • Elders drop 2 coins.

  • Other neutral creeps drop 3 coins.

Flooded Camps

• Every 5 minutes, two unclaimed neutral camps in rivers morph into new forms:

  • Small ➔ Medium (15 min) ➔ Hard ➔ Ancient (30 min)

• New creeps introduced:

  • Tadpole, Swampling, Swamp Mage’s Apprentice, Croaker, Swamp Mage, Ancient Croaker, Ancient Swamp Mage.

• Prowlers return as stronger Ancient creeps.

Credit: Valve Corportion

Additional Changes

Roshan’s New UI Indicator

• Minimap UI now shows:

  • Health, possible death timer, location, and respawn time.

• Templar Assassin’s Third Eye now predicts Roshan’s respawn target.

Selling Items

• Items auto-sell when placed at base or secret shop.

Visual Effects Updates

• New effects for targeted friendly item casts:

  • Glimmer Cape, Linken's Sphere, Lotus Orb, Healing Salve.

• New bonus effect icons.

Dota Plus Enhancements

• Holding Alt now shows timers for:

  • Rune spawns

  • Bounty runes

  • Altars

  • Lotus Pools

  • Neutral camp stacks

Inventory Adjustments

• Backpack items can now be moved instantly to inventory (for newly purchased items only).

Key Item Changes

• Cheese Head: Gives 3000 HP, 25% Mana, and a 5-minute shield.

• Bottle: Now requires the fountain for refills.

• Orb of Blight (Replaces Blight Stone): Armor reduction lasts 3 seconds (instead of 8).

• Abyssal Blade:

  • Now built from Basher + Sange + 1275g recipe (Total: 6250g).

• Heaven’s Halberd:

  • Disarm can now be dispelled.

• Gleipnir:

  • Now requires Point Booster instead of Maelstrom.

  • Cost reduced to 4550g.

• Khanda:

  • Now requires Tiara of Selemene instead of Crystalys.

  • Cost increased to 5900g.

Credits: Valve Corporation

Hero Changes (Quick Overview)

Attribute Adjustments

• 16 heroes had their primary attributes modified.

• Strength: Clockwerk, Lycan, Phoenix.

• Agility: Broodmother, Lone Druid, Mirana, Vengeful Spirit.

• Intelligence: Chen, Dark Seer, Dark Willow, Invoker, Winter Wyvern.

• Universal: Arc Warden, Death Prophet, Nature’s Prophet, Spectre.

Ringmaster

• Now available in Captain’s Mode with reworked abilities.

Alchemist

• Greevil’s Greed: Gains +75 GPM for every gifted Aghanim’s Scepter.

Dazzle

• New Ultimate – Nothl Projection:

  • Spirit separates from the body to empower abilities.

  • Main body is left vulnerable.

Huskar

• New ability – Kebab with customizable gluers.

Jakiro

• Liquid Fire and Liquid Frost can now be used simultaneously.

Pudge

• New Traits:

  • Rotten Core: Increased damage while Rot is active.

  • Hook Shard:

    • No longer purely a grapple.

    • Pierces foes for damaging distance.

    • Used on allies: Cooldown reduced by 50%.

The Wandering Waters update introduces new mechanics, strategic depth, and visual enhancements, transforming how Dota 2 is played. Valve has also integrated long-requested features, improving the overall experience and satisfying the community.