The 5 BIGGEST Changes in the New Official Server Patch

Summary

This patch rundown covers major hero reworks, balance tweaks, and item overhauls that will shift the meta. Freya gets a full revamp with mobility, shield, and an orb-based attack-speed mechanic; Hilda’s shield and enhanced basic-attack effects swap places; Savior’s transcendent system is simplified to charge-based stages. Minotaur, Atlas, Benedetta, Martus, Balman, Harley, Famis, Tamus, and Obsidia receive meaningful kit changes, while carries like Alucard, Yushin, Arlot, Lean, Irrital, and CeCe are nerfed. Item changes are big: Dominant Size now grants hybrid defenses, Gorgonia Helmet limits high damage, and Twilight is replaced by Chastise Pauldron (attack-speed reduction + emergency heal). Expect the meta to pivot—tank season incoming?

Takeaways

• 😀 Freya's revamp includes a new first skill that provides mobility, crowd control, and a shield in one move.
• 😀 Freya's second skill now focuses on damage and consumes sacred orbs, allowing multiple uses in a row with increased attack speed on basic attacks.
• 😀 Freya’s passive stores sacred orbs, granting bonus attack speed after using them, enabling faster basic attacks.
• 😀 Hilda's skills have been switched around, with her first skill now providing a shield and movement speed instead of enhanced basic attacks.
• 😀 Hilda’s passive now gives an enhanced basic attack when entering a bush, with a reduced defense reduction.
• 😀 Savior's transcendent system has been simplified, with the third stage now remaining active after hitting enemies, making him easier to manage.
• 😀 Minotaur’s new passive heals him when he takes hero damage, and doubles when he's in rage. His skill two now heals only himself and the ally with the lowest HP.
• 😀 Atlas has consistent range across his skills, and his defense boost now scales with extra HP.
• 😀 Balman’s first skill now reduces enemy physical defense by 40% for 3 seconds, making him even more dangerous.
• 😀 Harley’s second skill cooldown is reduced, and his ultimate can no longer be blocked, improving his mobility and burst potential.
• 😀 Benedetta’s passive energy gain has been increased, making it easier to maintain her sword out state, while Martus gains higher bonus damage with a more accurate ultimate kill indicator.
• 😀 New item changes: Dominant Size now provides both physical and magic defense and has a new passive that boosts defense with nearby enemies.
• 😀 Guardian Helmet’s new passive reduces excess damage over 500 and increases in effectiveness with higher HP. It also no longer heals in combat.
• 😀 Chastise Paldron replaces Twilight Armor, providing anti-attack speed and a new passive that heals when HP drops below 30%.
• 😀 The meta is expected to shift significantly due to these reworks and item changes, and players may want to consider which heroes to prioritize or ban.

Q & A

What significant changes have been made to Freya's skills in the recent patch?

Freya's first skill now allows her to leap toward a target, dealing knockback damage and gaining a shield, combining crowd control, mobility, and shield in one ability. Her second skill focuses purely on damage and can be cast multiple times using sacred orbs. Her ultimate enhances basic attacks in Valkyrie State, granting bonus damage, healing, and splash effects.

How has Hilda's skills been adjusted in the patch?

Hilda's passive now enhances her basic attack when entering a bush, with a 6-second cooldown. Her first skill now grants a shield and movement speed, while her second skill swings faster. Her ultimate now locks on more easily due to an increased pursuit range.

What major change has been made to Savior's Transcendent System?

Savior's Transcendent System has been simplified to only include Stage 3, removing the need to manage different stages. Now, hitting enemies grants movement speed and transcendence charges, making it easier to reach Stage 3.

How does Minotaur's passive work after the update?

Minotaur's new passive allows him to convert a portion of hero damage he receives into healing. This effect is doubled when he is in his Rage state, giving him greater sustainability in fights.

What changes have been made to Benedetta's abilities in this patch?

Benedetta now gains more passive energy when dealing damage. Additionally, her Sword Out State activation has been sped up, allowing for smoother control and increased uptime on abilities.

How has Martis' damage output changed in the patch?

Martis now deals higher bonus damage when his passive is fully stacked. His ultimate also hits harder in both the early and late game, with Sky Piercer contributing to his ultimate's kill indicator for more accurate markers.

What is the impact of the change to Balmon's first skill?

Balmon's first skill now reduces the target's physical defense by 40% for 3 seconds, which is a significant debuff. While the slow effect is weaker, it lasts longer, making him a stronger pick for reducing enemy durability.

How has Harley's ultimate changed in this patch?

Harley's ultimate can no longer be blocked by other heroes, and it has been made stronger with a more effective slow and a shorter force swing. This makes his mobility and burst damage more reliable.

What is the main change to Famsi's ultimate in this update?

Famsi's ultimate has had its forced swing removed, which eliminates unnecessary delays after activating the skill. This change makes team fights smoother and faster.

What are the key adjustments made to the item Dominance Ice?

Dominance Ice now grants both physical and magic defense (40 each). The item’s new passive provides 8 defense for each enemy hero near the user, making it a more well-rounded defensive item. The attack speed reduction passive has been removed, and life steal still applies.