Dota 2 released patch 7.29 — Dawnbreaker: adding a new hero and changing the map

The long-awaited 7.29 patch called Dawnbreaker has been released in Dota 2. The update includes a new hero, map updates, balance editing, and more.

New hero — Dawnbreaker

Dawnbreaker, which appeared with the update, has become the 121st hero in Dota 2. This is the 9th original hero added to the second Dota. Dawnbreaker is a melee character.

Her biography indicates that she is the most prized warrior amongst the ancient creations of the Children of Light, who saw no one else as worthy of taking up the Keeper's abandoned mantle and yearned to beat back the onslaught of Darkness.

Map updates

In the new patch, the map terrain has undergone many changes that have affected both the Radiant and Dire sides. Warding locations and the structure of the forest on both sides have been significantly reworked.

Map changes were most awaited because, in the last 7.28 patch, the Radiant side had a significant Win Rate skew in its favor: it was 53%.

Key changes game mechanics

Added Water Power Rune:

Spawns at both Power Rune locations only at minutes 2 and 4. Instantly restores 100 health and 80 mana when used. Can be used to fill bottles. Starting at 6 minutes, Power Runes spawn as usual on one side.

Changed the way outposts work:

• Outposts no longer give XP at the 10/20/30/etc minute mark
• Outposts now provide XPM while controlled (XP = 2*Minute). No extra XP granted when controlling two outposts, similar to the existing rules.

Changed the working principle of the Bounty Runes:

• Bounty Runes after the initial set are reduced by 10%
• Bounty Runes no longer spawn in the river. The amount these runes gave is now provided automatically over time through GPM.
• Bounty Runes now spawn every 3 minutes in the respective jungle area (total rune count reduced from 4 to 2)
• Bounty Runes no longer disappear when new ones spawn, they now spawn alongside the previous one if it isn't picked up
• At minute 0, Bounty Runes spawn in the jungle and at the power rune locations (4 total at the start of the game)

Changed the hero kill assist gold assessment:

Hero kill assist gold now adjusted based on the relative NW difference between the two teams. For example, if your team is down 5,000 gold and the enemy has 50,000 total net worth, your assist gold will be worth 10% more.

Captains Mode changes:

• Captains Mode initial picking phase changed from 1st-2nd-1st-2nd to 1st-2nd-2nd-1st
• Hoodwink added to Captains Mode

Removed items:

• Necronomicon
• Royal Jelly

In addition to all of the above, the patch introduced many adjustments to the items' balance and changed many heroes. The full list of updates can be found on the official Dota 2 website — Patch 7.29: Dawnbreaker.