Dota 2’s Patch 7.38, dubbed “Wandering Waters”, has introduced a revolutionary change to the Neutral Item system. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the new Neutral Artifacts and Enchantments, including their abilities, stats, and strategic implications.
Overview of the New Neutral Item System
Patch 7.38 has completely overhauled how Neutral Items work in Dota 2. The key changes include:
- Neutral Items are now composed of two parts: Artifacts and Enchantments
- A new resource called Madstone has been introduced for crafting Neutral Items
- Players can now customize their Neutral Items by combining different Artifacts and Enchantments
This new system adds a layer of strategic depth to itemization, allowing players to tailor their Neutral Items to their hero’s needs and the current game situation.
Madstones: The New Crafting Resource
Madstones are a new resource introduced in Patch 7.38 for crafting Neutral Items. Here’s how they work:
- Obtained by fully clearing a Neutral Creep camp
- Players receive two Madstones for themselves and one for a random ally
- 10 Madstones are required to craft a Neutral Item
- Allows players to choose their desired Artifact and Enchantment combination
This system encourages more active neutral camp clearing and strategic decision-making around Neutral Item acquisition.
Neutral Artifacts
Neutral Artifacts provide active abilities or unique passive effects. They are divided into five tiers, each becoming available at different game times. Here’s a breakdown of some key Artifacts:
Tier 1 (Available from 5 minutes)
- Trusty Shovel: Allows digging for various items, including Bounty Runes
- Pig Pole: Transforms the hero into a critter with increased movement speed
- Mana Draught: Restores mana and has increased effectiveness in water
Tier 2 (Available from 15 minutes)
- Essence Ring: Temporarily increases max health and current health
- Tumbler’s Toy: Propels the hero forward, providing a short-range blink
Tier 3 (Available from 25 minutes)
- Gale Guard: Provides a damage-absorbing barrier and slow resistance
- Gunpowder Gauntlet: Adds AoE damage to attacks
Tier 4 (Available from 35 minutes)
- Ogre Seal Totem: Allows the hero to perform damaging and slowing jumps
- Mind Breaker: Adds a silence effect to attacks
Tier 5 (Available from 60 minutes)
- Fallen Sky: Transforms the hero into a damaging meteor strike
- Book of the Dead: Summons powerful demonic units
Neutral Enchantments
Enchantments provide passive stat bonuses and are also divided into tiers. Some notable Enchantments include:
Tier 1-4
- Mystical: Increases mana regeneration and magic resistance
- Brawny: Boosts health and health regeneration
- Alert: Improves attack speed and night vision
Tier 5
- Feverish: Reduces cooldowns but increases mana costs
- Audacious: Significantly increases attack speed and magic damage, but at the cost of increased incoming damage
Strategic Implications
The new Neutral Item system introduces several strategic considerations:
- Customization: Players can now tailor their Neutral Items to their hero’s strengths or to cover weaknesses
- Timing: The tier system remains, so timing Madstone collection for optimal tier unlocks is crucial
- Team Coordination: Sharing Madstones and coordinating Neutral Item choices becomes important
- Adaptability: Players can change their Neutral Item strategy mid-game based on the match situation
Tips for Maximizing the New Neutral Item System
- Plan Ahead: Consider which Artifacts and Enchantments will benefit your hero most at different game stages
- Communicate: Coordinate with your team to ensure efficient Madstone collection and distribution
- Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your Neutral Item strategy based on the game’s progression
- Balance Farming: While Madstone collection is important, don’t neglect other aspects of farming and map control
The new Neutral Artifact and Enchantment system in Dota 2 Patch 7.38 adds a new layer of strategy and customization to the game. By understanding the available options and considering how they fit into your overall game plan, you can gain a significant advantage on the battlefield. Remember to adapt your choices as the game progresses and communicate with your team to make the most of this powerful new system.