Dota 2 Meta Transformed: Innate Powers Added to All Heroes by Valve

Dota 2 has seen a major shakeup with the new Gameplay Update 7.36 released this month. Valve has fundamentally altered the game by adding innate abilities to all 124 heroes. Previously, only seven heroes had such abilities. Now, every hero begins with a unique power, making each character more distinct and versatile. Additionally, heroes now come with two "Facets," which are pre-match choices that allow players to customize their gameplay style or counter their opponents' strategies.

Innate Abilities and Facets

The update introduces a variety of changes to hero abilities. Some heroes have received significant reworks, while others have had old abilities reintroduced or minor tweaks applied. For instance, some heroes now start with a toned-down version of their most iconic abilities. Hoodwink can make enemies hit a tree instead of herself, and Centaur Warrunner gains bonus health every two minutes. The complexity of some heroes, like Morphling, has increased even further with these changes.

Facets add another strategic layer. Before each match, players choose between two facets for their hero, tailoring their playstyle or countering their opponents. For example, Pudge can enhance his Dismember ability or increase his hook damage based on how far it pulls enemies. Wraith King can choose between summoning powerful skeletons or adding an echo effect to his sword attacks.

A Continued Evolution

This update follows last year's significant 7.33 New Frontiers update, which expanded the game map by about 40% and introduced new structures and portals. That change was so substantial that it was dubbed "basically Dota 3." With the addition of innate abilities and facets in update 7.36, Dota 2 has evolved even further, offering players fresh strategies and deeper gameplay.

For a detailed look at all the changes in Gameplay Update 7.36, including the full list of new abilities and facets, visit Valve's Dota 2 website.