In a surprising move ahead of The International 12, Dota 2’s hero Pangolier has been hit with significant nerfs in the latest 7.34d patch today. These changes come after months of Pangolier dominating ranked play, thanks to buffs introduced in patch 7.34 and subsequent updates.
Pangolier’s rise to prominence in Dota 2’s 2023 season was no accident. With his agility, unique skill set, and game-changing ultimate, he became a preferred mid lane choice for pro players. The Dota 2 community had high expectations for him at TI 2023, anticipating remarkable plays and strategies built around him.
However, the latest patch has thrown a curveball, targeting key abilities that were central to Pangolier’s gameplay.
The mana cost of Swashbuckle has been adjusted, scaling from 75 to 75-90 as the skill levels up. This change affects its frequent use in lane skirmishes and team fights, potentially slowing down Pangolier’s tempo.
The damage bonus from the Level 20 Talent for Swashbuckle has also been reduced from +20 to +15, slightly impacting his scaling in later stages.
The mana cost of Shield Crash has been increased from 60-90 to 70-100, and its damage has been reduced from 70-280 to 60-240.
While Pangolier may still have a place in the competitive scene, these nerfs bring him down a notch. Players and teams that relied on his strengths will need to adjust their strategies for TI 2023.
As the pinnacle event of Dota 2 approaches, it will be interesting to see how teams adapt to the changes in the latest patch and whether Pangolier remains a top pick.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
