As the community eagerly anticipates the next major update, Dota 2 Patch 7.34, Valve’s recent blog post seems to have sparked excitement and speculation. The forthcoming update, scheduled to arrive before the TI12 Regional Qualifiers on August 17, 2023, is expected to bring significant changes to the game.
Leaked changes to the map have already fueled discussions, and players eagerly await more information from Valve. The potential release time, expected to be on a Tuesday or Wednesday between 12 PM and 4 PM, keeps the community on its toes.
As Valve gears up to make TI12 an unforgettable experience, players are hopeful for balanced gameplay and thrilling strategies. The upcoming Dota 2 10-year anniversary event and TI12 update are sure to add even more excitement to the highly anticipated Dota 2 Patch 7.34!
What to expect from Dota 2 Patch 7.34?
As Patch 7.34 is expected to be the meta for TI12, Valve has an opportunity to refine the gameplay experience and make the tournament truly unforgettable. One key aspect that players hope to see addressed is the balance of Universal heroes, which some considered overpowered in the past.
The recent Patch 7.33c has brought improvements, and players are hopeful for further adjustments to ensure a more balanced competitive environment.
Valve might also take the chance to focus on specific gameplay metas, catering to both shorter and longer games. Bringing back strong high-ground defenses could lead to thrilling comebacks, reminiscent of OG’s legendary TI8 performance. In addition, heroes with area control abilities like Earthshaker, Enigma, Magnus, and Warlock often become the center of attention during TIs, making team fights a spectacle to watch. Fans are excited about the potential strategies and surprises the update could bring to TI12.
Dota 2 Patch 7.34 may bring map changes
Data miners recently spotted a different image of the game’s mini-map in Valve’s latest blog post about Dota 2 development. This has led to speculation that these images could be from a test version of Patch 7.34.
According to DOTA_DM, notable differences were observed in the mini-map, including the relocation of some Watchers and changes in Outpost positions.
While Valve used these images to showcase a bug, fans are no strangers to Valve’s playful teasers before major updates. This leak has left players curious about what other changes await them in Dota 2 Patch 7.34.
Dota 2 Patch 7.34 release date is not certain, yet
Players are eager to know when the highly anticipated Patch 7.34 will drop. A Reddit user’s analysis of previous patches’ release times provided some insights. Patches 7.32a to 7.32d were consistently released on Tuesday mornings between 12:17 PM and 2:48 PM (Seattle Time). Conversely, patches in the 7.31 phase (except 7.31b) were released on Wednesday mornings from 1:29 PM to 4:10 PM (Seattle Time).
Based on these patterns, it is likely that Dota 2 Patch 7.34 will be released on either a Tuesday or Wednesday, between 12 PM and 4 PM.
Will there be a new hero?
Based on the provided information, there is no direct mention or confirmation of a new champion (hero) being introduced in Dota 2 Patch 7.34. The available information only indicates that Patch 7.34 is scheduled to be released before The International (TI) Regional Qualifiers in August 2023.
Additionally, the details shared about Patch 7.34 mainly focus on potential gameplay changes and adjustments rather than the introduction of a new hero.
Is Dota becoming less popular?
According to the data from SteamCharts, Dota 2 has experienced fluctuations in its player numbers over time. As of the last 30 days before July 31, 2023, the average number of players per month was approximately 437,740, with a gain of around 16,403 players (3.89% increase) compared to the previous month. While there have been fluctuations in player numbers, the overall trend shows that Dota 2 still maintains a substantial player base.
Dota 2 has remained one of the biggest games on Steam, consistently attracting millions of monthly active users. The game regularly exceeds 7.6 million monthly active users, solidifying its position as one of the most popular games on the Steam platform. In 2022, Dota 2 ranked third in terms of peak concurrent players and hourly average number of players, only behind CS:GO and Lost Ark. This information indicates that Dota 2 continues to be widely played and enjoyed by gamers on Steam.
Let’s see if Dota 2 Patch 7.34 will bring back the infamous “stuck on confirming match” bug, like every patch.
Featured image credit: Dota 2 by Valve Corp.
