Dota 2 Patch 7.39: The Biggest Winners So Far!
It’s still early days, but the ripple effects of Dota 2’s patch 7.39 are already visible in the data. While statistics alone can’t capture the full picture, they do offer a solid north star — guiding players through the evolving meta and helping identify early trends.
In this article, we analyze data from Dotabuff, comparing win rate shifts over the past week to draw some conclusions. Patch 7.39 brought sweeping changes, especially with the introduction and reshuffling of hero facets — the optional passive modifiers that significantly alter playstyles. So far, some heroes are clearly benefiting more than others.
Let’s take a look at the top five winners of patch 7.39 based on win rate increases. Keep in mind that this data is early and subject to change as players adapt and develop new strategies. Still, these shifts offer valuable insights for those looking to stay ahead of the curve.
Venomancer: The Unexpected King of the Patch
Many feared Venomancer would fall off after his ability to jungle was altered, but instead, he emerged as arguably the biggest winner of patch 7.39. His win rate jumped from a modest 48.79% to 52.66%, marking a significant spike that places him among the top-performing heroes post-patch.

The primary catalyst for this surge is the combination of Plague Ward buffs and the introduction of his new facet. Plague Wards are now more durable, reward less gold when killed, and — thanks to the facet — Venomous Gale automatically summons at least two Plague Wards. This improves both his laning and teamfighting presence, giving him better map control and harassment options.
Whether played as an offlaner or support, the “Bananamancer” is back in style, spreading his venomous reach across the map with newfound efficiency.
Omniknight: A Divine Return
Omniknight didn’t attract much attention going into the patch, but the changes to his kit — particularly to Hammer of Purity — have significantly bolstered his performance. His win rate rose from 47.22% to 50.97%, officially pushing him into the "above-average" bracket.

The key reason? Hammer of Purity now costs zero mana, drastically improving his sustain and making him more viable in extended engagements. Between his Healing Hammer and Omnipresent facets, both showed increased win rates, but Omnipresent in particular had a larger spike — suggesting new interest in creative global strategies.
He may not be back in pro drafts just yet, but he’s absolutely worth experimenting with in pubs.
Lina: Glowing Embers, Not a Blaze (Yet)
Once a dominant force, Lina was heavily nerfed in previous patches, dropping her out of the meta spotlight. Patch 7.39 brought her some subtle buffs, and while she’s not completely back, her performance is on the upswing. Lina’s win rate climbed from 44.45% to 47.97%, indicating that players are starting to warm up to her again.

Her innate ability Combustion received +5 bonus damage across all levels, and Laguna Blade gained +50 and +100 extra damage at levels 2 and 3, respectively. These changes have made her more lethal at mid-game, especially when transitioning to core builds with spell amplification.
While she’s still under the 50% win mark, this steady improvement might foreshadow her return as a popular core pick.
Legion Commander: Dominating the Ladder
Legion Commander didn’t just benefit from the patch — she thrived in it. Already boasting a solid 51.51% win rate, she surged all the way to 54.50%, making her the most improved hero among those who were already performing well.

The secret to her success lies in her reworked innate ability. Now, instead of activating only when fighting higher-level enemies, it triggers when dueling enemies of the same level — a massive change that dramatically boosts her effectiveness in lane and mid-game engagements.
Additionally, the percentage-based health restoration has been simplified and enhanced across all levels: 30/40/50/60% health restoration, making her much tankier in sustained fights.
Broodmother: The Return of the Queen
Broodmother, long one of Dota’s most despised heroes, quietly crept her way back into the meta with a notable 2.66% increase in win rate — from 48.93% to 51.59%. While that might not sound dramatic, for a hero as polarizing as Brood, it marks a meaningful shift in playability.

The most impactful change? Her innate ability is no longer dispellable, which greatly improves her durability and survivability in fights. On top of that, her talent tree saw a strong buff—most notably at level 10, where Spider's Milk increased its hero healing from +0.5% to +1.5%. This change alone makes her a much stronger laner and skirmisher.
The result is a Broodmother who’s not only harder to counter but also more sustainable throughout fights.
Final Thoughts
With that, we wrap up our look at the biggest winners of patch 7.39. While many heroes saw small shifts, the five above experienced the most notable upward trends and are likely to shape pub and competitive games in the short term. If your favorite hero is among them, now is the perfect time to climb the MMR ladder. And if not, it might be wise to expand your hero pool and try out one of these emerging stars.
Stay tuned as the meta continues to evolve. For more coverage of patch 7.39, DreamLeague Season 26, and the latest happenings in professional Dota 2, be sure to check out the news section of the Strafe website!
Featured Image Source: Eric de Oliveira

