Dota 2: Everything in the Wandering Waters update

Dota 2 ^[1] may not be as popular as League of Legends, but that doesn’t mean the game doesn’t get constant updates. Valve, the game’s developer and the owner of Steam ensures Dota 2 has a steady stream of new content that keeps players hooked and engaged, and the newest update is the Wandering Waters update.

Today, we’re here to go through everything players need to know about the Dota 2 Wandering Waters update. This includes the map change as well as the creep camps overhaul. The update also comes with other changes like hero and item balancing and how the Wisdom Runes have been replaced by shrines.

So, without further ado, here’s everything to know about the Dota 2 Wandering Waters update. If you want to bump your rank up this update then we have you covered. Just hire a professional booster from Eloking and we’ll do the rest. You can also use the code “BoostToday” to get an excellent 20% discount on your order.

Map overhaul: Wandering Waters

Patch 7.38 introduces a rework to Dota 2’s map, titled Wandering Waters. The update expands the river system by adding new waterways through the jungle regions. These waterways come with a new mechanic where players gain a speed buff if they move with the current. Going against the current won’t slow players down.

The game shows the direction of the currents, so it’s easy for fans to optimize their movement and traverse the map. This change speeds up jungle farming and allows teams to rotate around the map. Also, these new waterways interact with abilities like Slardar’s puddles, so there’s nice attention to detail.

The map changes key landmarks. Roshan, the game’s most iconic neutral creep, will return to the river after years of relocation. His lair will be on any side of the river near Power Rune spawn points, and he roams between the southern and northern regions as the game goes on. This shift makes Roshan’s fights more unpredictable, forcing teams to make decisions on the fly.

Creep camps overhaul

Neutral creeps have gotten an overhaul in Patch 7.38. A new creep camp is in the game, featuring creps that evolve as the match progresses. It starts with Pollywogs, who transform into Boglets and then become Croakers. This evolution mechanic ensures that jungle farming isn’t the same throughout the game.

Wisdom Runes replaced by shrines

Wisdom Runes, a staple for experience points, have been replaced by Shrines of Wisdom. These shires work similarly, where they grant bonus experience. The difference is that players must stand within a 300-unit radius for three seconds to collect the XP. However, the shrine deactivates if an opponent is within the same radius, so these areas are hotspots for fights. This change encourages players to be more aggressive, especially during the laning phase.

The update reworks the Lotus Pools to follow the same mechanic. Players must stand undisturbed within the pool’s radius to get the Healing Lotus.

Tormentor adjustments

The Tormentor, a neutral objective introduced in previous patches, has been changed in this update. Only one Tormentor will appear in the game now instead of two near each team’s base. The spawn location depends on Roshan’s position and the time of day. Also, the Tormentor now drops a healing area-of-effect upon destruction, ensuring players don’t have to recall after contesting for it.

Neutral items overhaul

One of the biggest changes in Patch 7.38 is the rework of the neutral item system. Neutral items don’t drop randomly from creep camps. Instead, clearing a camp gives players a new currency, Madstone, which they can use to make neutral items. Clearing a camp provides three Madstones: Two for the hero who cleared it and one for a random teammate.

Neutral items are made of Artifacts, the base item, and Enchantments, the stat-boosting modifiers. For example, combining the occult Bracelet with the Brawny Enchantment gives players extra health and regeneration. Players must craft lower-tier items before they can progress to higher-tier ones, so they must prioritize whether they need ones that are instantly good or those that scale.

Dota 2 has a new quick-access menu that allows players to track which neutral items their teammates have crafted. This menu allows teams to coordinate better and will improve the solo queue experience.

Quality-of-life improvements

Patch 7.38 introduces numerous quality-of-life changes to improve the player experience. There’s a Roshan timer in the HUD now, so players can track their spawn and respawn timings. Item targeting effects have been improved, and a Mark for Sell function has been introduced for items in the backpack to streamline inventory management. 

Hero and item balancing

Like other Dota 2 patches, Patch 7.38 introduces numerous hero and item adjustments. Although the specifics are long and extensive, the overall meta will change and encourage players to try out other characters. Heroes that synergize well with the new map mechanics, like those with movement-based abilities, may become more popular. Items that work well with the new neutral item system will likely be more prominent.

FAQs

When did Dota 2 come out?

Dota 2 came out in 2013, following nearly two years of beta testing. Before that, the first Dota was released in 2013.

References

1. [1] "Dota 2 official website". www.dota2.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025