The Biggest Losers of the Wandering Waters Patch

The Wandering Waters balance patch has caused major shifts in the Dota 2 meta. While some heroes soared to the top, others took a devastating hit. Whether due to direct nerfs, or indirect changes, these Wandering Waters Patch Losers have struggled the most.

We're still awaiting a letter patch soon, so things may change in the near future, but let's enjoy the schadenfreude while we can! Here’s a breakdown of the Wandering Waters Patch Losers.

Kez is sad with the nerfs. (Credit: Valve and my paint skills)

1. Kez – Truly Flightless

• Win Rate Decrease: -8.66% (50.25% → 41.59%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -3.14% (5.99% → 2.86%)

Kez has been hit the hardest by the Wandering Waters patch, suffering the steepest decline in win rate. With a staggering 8.66% drop, Kez has plummeted from a strong pick in proficient hands to one of the worst-performing heroes in the game. The drastic decline is due to massive nerfs on his ultimate (lifesteal penalty on creeps, no debuff immunity), and his grappling hook (hefty lifesteal decrease at early levels). Players seem to have quickly abandoned him, as his pick rate has also dropped by more than half.

2. Lina – The Fire Burns Out

• Win Rate Decrease: -7.53% (51.06% → 43.53%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -13.25% (21.95% → 8.70%)

Lina has historically been a strong and popular pick, but this patch has gutted her effectiveness. A massive drop in both win rate and pick rate shows that she’s struggling to keep up. The nerf to her shard was significant, trading the strong offensive spell scaling on her passive into a mediocre shield upon using your ult. Once a feared mid-laner and damage dealer, Lina is now being overlooked in favor of newly buffed contenders.

Bloodseeker had some interesting changes, but they left him undertuned and bleeding out. (Credit: Valve)

3. Bloodseeker – No Longer Drawing Blood

• Win Rate Decrease: -5.03% (55.92% → 50.88%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -7.97% (13.71% → 5.74%)

Bloodseeker, previously a top-tier hero, has lost a significant chunk of his power. Though he still holds a positive win rate, the decrease in his effectiveness has been notable. With a nearly 8% drop in pick rate, it’s clear that players are shifting away from him. Blood Mist was a very strong counter against the tankiness creep in Dota, and without it (he still has pure max hp % damage, but he now needs to attack for it to work, which is significantly more punishing), Bloodseeker is no longer the dominant force he once was.

4. Lich – The Frost King Falls

• Win Rate Decrease: -4.28% (55.51% → 51.23%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -10.83% (21.68% → 10.85%)

Lich was once a staple support with a strong laning presence and powerful utility, but his recent fall has been substantial. His win rate, while still positive, has taken a considerable hit, and his pick rate has dropped by nearly 11%. Almost every single one of his abilities got nerfed. He can no longer easily kill creeps with Sinister Gaze, his Frost Spire now takes damage from Chain Frost (hindering his solokill potential), and his Frost Shield has reduced range and duration.

Morphling's shitty win rate now reflects his outdated model. (Credit Valve)

5. Morphling – Struggling to Adapt

• Win Rate Decrease: -4.04% (48.41% → 44.37%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -3.86% (9.69% → 5.83%)

Morphling has always been a high-skill hero, but the latest patch has made him a much riskier pick with his early game taking a significant hit (several abilities got nerfed at early levels, and he lost his level 10 waveform range talent). In addition, Khanda is now a dedicated spellcaster item, so Morphling lost one of his favorite toys. With his win rate dipping below 45%, he’s struggling to maintain viability.

6. Phantom Assassin – Now the Same, But Worse

• Win Rate Decrease: -3.66% (50.42% → 46.75%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -2.74% (25.25% → 22.51%)

Phantom Assassin remains a fan-favorite, but her numbers have dipped. While her pick rate is still high, a noticeable drop in her win rate reflects losing a third of her innate evasion, and a nerf to both her regular and Methodical facet crit damage.

Lycan is now stronger due to being a strength hero, but this makes him weaker overall. (Credit: Valve)

7. Lycan – Universally Nerfed

• Win Rate Decrease: -3.53% (48.67% → 45.14%)
• Pick Rate Decrease: -3.79% (5.30% → 1.51%)

Lycan’s place in the meta has always been volatile, and this patch has not been kind to him. With a declining win rate and an even steeper drop in pick rate, Lycan is certainly one of the Wandering Waters Patch Losers. Despite some minor stat gain buffs, he lost his universal status and 40 damage at level 30, in addition to his wolves going from 70% to 60% magic resistance, which despite only being a 10% nerf, increases magic damage taken by 25%!

Conclusion

The Wandering Waters patch has been brutal for certain heroes, especially Kez, Lina, and Bloodseeker, who have suffered massive losses in both win and pick rates. The changing meta, nerfs, and shifts in playstyle have rendered some of these heroes significantly weaker. As always, balance patches may soon bring buffs or adjustments, but for now, you'd be better off picking something stronger.

Do you think some of these heroes are still viable? Are there any sleeper picks among the losers? Let us know in the comments!

Read More: Everything you need to know about the latest patch!