A glimpse of the new LC immortal (Source: Dota2.com)
Patch 6.88b went live on July 12th after the recent conclusion of Nanyang Season Two. The patch includes some changes to a couple of heroes, notably the ever popular Timbesaw and Terrorblade, who both saw great success in the recent TI qualifiers, and the long anticipated arrival of the LC questline.?
Timbersaw
Timbersaw saw a strength gain reduction from 2.1 down to 1.8, putting him down on a par with Alchemist as one of the lowest strength gain per level out of all the strength heroes. The reduction comes as a balance to the raid boss status that Timber's Reactive Armor can give him in late game, especially with a Bloodstone. The reduction makes him a bit squishier in the early game, giving both the safelane and midlane a bit of an easier time to contest against him.
Terrorblade
Terrorblade has a 63% win rate in the TI Open qualifiers, which could explain why he had perhaps the two biggest nerfs of the patch: a mana cost increase to Metamorphosis from 50 to 100 and Metamorphosis no longer lingering after reincarnation/death. With quite a small mana pool and int gain, TB players will have to be more conscious of their mana pool as well as be a bit more cautious with aegis now that the luxury of Metamorphosis is gone on reincarnation or buyback.
Pudge and OD
Meanwhile, continuing his buffs from 6.88, Pudge gets yet another gain with an increase to the strength damage added on to his Dismember. Outworld Devourer also received some buffs, with some damage increases to his Astral Imprisonment and an increase in the duration of his stolen intelligence via Arcane Orb. A small buff to offlaners and supports comes by the way of a change to Jungle creeps and Lane creep denies. Now, Lane creeps denied by jungle camps will grant 20% of their exp, rather than the zero that they used to provide. This gives supports and offlaners more opportunities to leech exp, and keep them closer in level to their cores.
Legion Commander Prestige Item and Quest Path
Lastly, the new LC quest line was also released to Battle Pass owners. However, you'll need at least a level 225 pass to be able to access the quest line and new Immortal, which can also be upgraded once you complete to the quest line. Also included is the 'Tip of the Spear' comic which can be viewed here
6.88b also includes some changes to Bloodseeker, Sand King, and a few others. The full list of changes can be found here on the Dota2 website.
Headline image source: Dota2.com
Statistics: Dotabuff
