This is not DOTA 2 anymore with the Outlanders Update

The Dota 2 7.23 update dubbed as the Outlanders Update is the most game-changing patch in the history of Dota.

We have waited for this update since the announcement last TI9. The highly-anticipated update called Outlanders for Dota 2 is finally here. Bringing two new heroes named Void Spirit and Snapfire, as well as tremendous changes that makes Dota an entirely different game.

Here’s what new in 7.23 patch.

Void Spirit is an elusive melee carry hero that uses his control over the aether to outwit and outmaneuver his opponents. As one of Dota’s Spirit Brothers, he has a remnant-based ability for crowd control, along with portal-based abilities that let him absorb or dish out damage.

Meanwhile, Beatrix Snapfire is a ranged support nuker that can mow down enemies with a blistering barrage from her scattergun or burn them down with the fiery breath of her trusty Dragon Toad mount, Mortimer. She also bakes some delicious cookies too that can send allies jumping.

If you think two new heroes make a big enough change for a patch, then you better strap in because Icefrog has been very, very busy.

Here’s the fun and weird changes.

Having problems with courier being missused by your team mates? There’s no need to buy a courier anymore — because each player now automatically have one of their own at the start of every game. Couriers are now also tied in with your hero’s gold per minute (GPM) gained and level.

Courier plays an even bigger role now because When your courier is alive, it provides a passive 85 GPM that replaces the passive 91 GPM mechanic. Your hero’s level also improves the courier, as it gains flying movement at level five and receives its Speed Burst ability at level 10 and Courier Shield at level 20. It really needs that speed burst because it’s movement speed is nerfed from 350 to 275! Couriers of the Outlanders patch passively gains +10 movement speed, +10 health and +2 GPM increase per level

Couriers at level 15 gains the ability to place wards. But if you think that’s crazy, then you better be prepared when you hit level 25 and your courier gets the ability to use items in general, that brings back the good old days of zapping your enemies with daggon using your cour!

The level cap has also been raised to level 30 in this Dota 2 7.23 patch. All talents in your talent tree being unlocked once you max out. That’s Crazy! Everyone starts with three Town Portal Scrolls. Backpack slots have also been increased from three to four. Hey Support players! Observer Wards no longer cost any gold.

The map has been changed too, as both Ancient camps are now located on the opposite side of the map from Roshan and there is no more Side Shops. It has been replaced with new building types called Outposts.

Outposts are a new neutral building type located where the Side Shops were previously and will be a new objective for teams to contest, as it grants bonus XP upon being captured at five-minute intervals, as well as providing unobstructed vision and another teleportation point.

These outposts can be activated and captured at 10 minute mark. Players just have to right click it and multiple players channeling the outpost will hasten the process of capturing. Also note that when you try tro capture that outpost, your invisibility gets canceled.

But perhaps the biggest change, probably the worst for me, is the introduction of neutral item drops, as the monsters of the jungles can now give a variety of random items on top of the usual gold and XP upon being slain.

I really did not like that part.

These neutral drops changes it all. Outlanders update changed the whole mechanics of the game. Now it’s more dependent on luck. These drops are unique items that cannot be sold, but can be shared with allies, that start to appear after five minutes. There are five tiers of these items that drop over the course of the game, with each tier becoming droppable once the game reaches a certain amount of minutes. Within each neutral item tier, the odds of one dropping get cut by half for each subsequent drop. Each item only drops once for each team.

Poorman’s Shield, Iron Talon, Arcane Ring and Ring of Auila has also made a comeback, but as a neutral drop. There are a total of 62 unique neutral items in total. The new introductions range from wacky consumables such as the Mango Tree to absolute game-changers such as the Fallen Sky — which combines the effects of existing items in the Blink Dagger and the Meteor Hammer.

Together with these dramatic changes are massive updates to Heroes and items. Sven now flies like superman when he stuns.

You can check out the full list of all of the changes, which is extremely long, that came with the Outlanders Update for yourself in the patch notes.

Did I like this patch? I really can’t say. I have played it few times already and it doesn’t feel like dota 2 anymore.