TL;DR
- Meepo and Juggernaut dominate with over 94% win rates despite no direct changes
- Brewmaster’s single armor point boost transformed him from negative to 52.4% win rate
- Monkey King’s paradoxical performance shows nerfs don’t always mean immediate decline
- Pudge reclaims most popular spot as Earthshaker’s triple-nerf popularity plummets
- New hero Kez struggles in Captain’s Mode debut with 5% win rate drop
Games and Esports Articles Dota 2
Dota 2’s latest balance update, patch 7.39e, arrived on October 2nd with targeted adjustments aimed at competitive outliers from The International 2025 qualifiers. The developers specifically addressed overperforming heroes with nerfs while providing buffs to underutilized characters. Significant mechanical changes also affected Helm of the Dominator and ethereal form interactions through both items and abilities. This comprehensive analysis examines how these modifications are reshaping the current competitive landscape.
This assessment comes just one day following the patch release, meaning meta trends remain fluid and subject to substantial evolution as professional and pub players adapt their strategies.
Dota 2 patch notes 7.39e: Earthshaker, Ursa, Queen of Pain, Helm of the Dominator nerfed, Kez added to captain’s mode
The current elite tier of Dota 2 heroes demonstrates remarkable stability, with most top performers escaping direct nerfs in this update. Meepo and Juggernaut continue their dominance, maintaining extraordinary win rates exceeding 94% across all skill brackets. These micro-intensive carries are followed closely by Vengeful Spirit and Wraith King, both benefiting from the current meta conditions. Only two heroes from this exclusive group received significant adjustments: Lich and Venomancer both absorbed notable nerfs to their core abilities.

Strategic insight: When dominant heroes avoid nerfs, they often become even stronger as counter-picks to newly buffed characters. This creates a compounding advantage effect that skilled players can exploit for MMR gains. Understanding these secondary meta shifts separates average players from true competitors.
Sometimes the smallest adjustments yield the most dramatic results. Brewmaster exemplifies this principle perfectly – a mere single point of armor increase propelled him from negative win rate territory to a respectable 52.4% victory rate. Huskar similarly transformed from underperformer to successful pick, demonstrating how targeted buffs can revitalize struggling heroes. Keeper of the Light experienced significant changes, though most occurred pre-patch, leaving him still below the 50% threshold. Void Spirit and Venomancer show promising statistics, maintaining positive trajectories they established before the latest update.

Common mistake: Many players overlook subtly buffed heroes like Brewmaster, focusing instead on flashier changes. This creates valuable pocket pick opportunities against unprepared opponents. Advanced players should prioritize mastering these under-the-radar improvements before they become mainstream picks.
Monkey King presents one of patch 7.39e’s most perplexing statistical anomalies. Last week, he languished with a dismal 43% win rate, received significant nerfs, yet somehow gained marginal improvement. Despite this counterintuitive development, he remains anchored at the competitive bottom. Kez, freshly introduced to Captain’s Mode, suffered a dramatic decline, shedding nearly 5% of his win rate. Beastmaster represents another casualty, descending the rankings following targeted ability nerfs.


Optimization tip: Heavily nerfed heroes often see initial win rate drops due to players continuing outdated playstyles. Savvy competitors can sometimes reverse these trends by developing innovative builds that work around the nerfs. This adaptation process typically takes 1-2 weeks as the community experiments with new approaches.
Pudge has reclaimed his throne as Dota 2’s most selected hero, ending Earthshaker’s brief reign at the top. Earthshaker absorbed three separate nerfs targeting the same ability, causing player interest to evaporate rapidly. Venomancer’s buffs clearly captured community attention, driving substantial pick rate increases. Traditional carry favorites like Juggernaut and Phantom Assassin also enjoyed renewed popularity among the player base. The following analysis examines heroes experiencing the most significant selection frequency changes.

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Strategic consideration: High pick rate heroes often become predictable in their item builds and play patterns. This knowledge allows prepared players to develop specific counter-strategies. For example, against popular Pudge picks, consider building early magic resistance and mobility items to counter his hook and rot combinations. Our Class Guide provides detailed analysis of hero matchups and counter-pick strategies.
Action Checklist
- Master 2-3 of the unchanged top performers like Meepo or Juggernaut
- Experiment with subtly buffed heroes like Brewmaster before they become meta
- Develop counter-strategies against high pick rate heroes like Pudge
- Analyze replays of heavily nerfed heroes to identify new viable playstyles
- Monitor weekly win rate changes to identify emerging trends
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides » Best and worst heroes of Dota 2 patch 7.39e by winrate. Most popular heroes to raise MMR after patch 7.39e Master the new Dota 2 meta with expert analysis of patch 7.39e's top performers and strategic insights
