Flooded Camps
Dota 2's 7.38 update brings a range of significant changes to enhance gameplay, introducing dynamic elements to the game's familiar terrain. One of the standout features is the addition of new neutral camps, which evolve over time, enriching the strategic options available to players. Within this update, two new streams have been incorporated into the safe lane on each side. These streams provide a tactical advantage by boosting player movement speed and radically altering the landscape.
In addition to terrain adjustments, the update introduces innovative modifications to neutral items, most notably the introduction of Madstone. This feature empowers players by allowing them to craft and customize their own neutral items, adding depth to the gameplay strategy. The update also welcomes several new neutral creep camps, including amphibious ones, expanding the diversity of challenges faced by players during a match.
Dota 2 Patch 7.38 Neutral Creature Camps
The River's Guardian – Roshan
In the world of Dota 2, Roshan stands as a central figure, pivotal in shaping the game's outcomes. Traditionally positioned in the river, whether on the dire side or radiant side, Roshan's presence has been the focal point of many thrilling battles. For a period, Roshan’s location was shifted to the map’s corners, creating imbalances based on the time of day. Now, with the latest update, Roshan has returned to the heart of the river, reinstating the dynamics of positioning and strategy for all players. A new tool allows players to gauge when Roshan will reappear, providing an invaluable aid during matches. This feature can be accessed by hovering over the Roshan timer displayed near the minimap.
Introducing Evolving Creature Camps
The game introduces several new Neutral Creature Camps, unique for their aquatic nature. These camps, called „Flooded Camps,“ bring a fresh challenge to players. Situated within streams, they are populated by amphibious neutral creatures, offering strategic advantages.
- Locations:
- Easy camp between the first and second towers.
- Medium camp near the second tower.
- Medium camp in the main jungle, previously a hard camp.
Flooded Camp creatures continue evolving as the game progresses. Every five minutes, one creature upgrades to the next level within these camps. Starting at 15 minutes, an easy camp transforms into a medium camp, and medium camps boost to hard ones. By the 30-minute mark, progression further shifts medium camps to hard camps and hard camps to ancient status. However, upgrades are limited; no camp can surpass two evolution stages.
Creature compositions in these camps include:
- Easy Camp: Three Pollywogs (Gold: ~54, XP: ~90)
- Medium Camp: Two Boglets and a Marshmage Apprentice
- Hard Camp: Two Croakers and a Marshmage
- Ancient Camp: Two Ancient Croakers and an Ancient Marshmage
Pollywog
- Type: Level 2 Melee
- Attributes: 400 Health, 200 Mana
- Speed & Damage: 270 Move Speed, 19-21 Damage
- Resilience: 1 Armor, 0% Magic Resistance
- Rewards: 17-19 Gold, 30 XP
- Ability: Riverborn Aura – Boosts allies‘ movement speed and damage output within 1200 range, active only in water.
Boglet
- Type: Level 4 Melee
- Attributes: 700 Health, 300 Mana
- Speed & Damage: 290 Move Speed, 22-24 Damage
- Resilience: 2 Armor, 0% Magic Resistance
- Rewards: 25-29 Gold, 42 XP
- Ability: Arm of the Deep – Stuns with tentacles, dealing up to 140 damage. Casted actively but also auto-activated under specific conditions.
- Aura: Riverborn Aura – Same as Pollywog's.
Marshmage Novice
- Type: Level 4 Ranged
- Attributes: 700 Health, 300 Mana
- Speed & Damage: 290 Move Speed, 250 Attack Range, 24-27 Damage
- Resilience: 2 Armor, 0% Magic Resistance
- Rewards: 25-29 Gold, 42 XP
- Ability: Water Bubble (Small) – Protects allies with a magical barrier. Casts on low-health allies.
- Aura: Riverborn Aura – Similar benefits to Pollywog's.
Croaker
- Type: Level 4 Melee
- Attributes: 900 Health, 350 Mana
- Speed & Damage: 300 Move Speed, 41-46 Damage
- Resilience: 3 Armor, 0% Magic Resistance
- Rewards: 37-41 Gold, 55 XP
- Ability: Tendrils of the Deep – Sends stunning tentacles in a cone, dealing up to 180 damage. Requires conditions to activate automatically.
- Aura: Riverborn Aura – Provides movement and damage enhancements in water.
Marshmage
- Type: Level 4 Ranged
- Attributes: 900 Health, 350 Mana
- Speed & Damage: 300 Move Speed, 250 Attack Range, 40-45 Damage
- Resilience: 3 Armor, 0% Magic Resistance
- Rewards: 37-41 Gold, 55 XP
- Ability: Water Bubble (Medium) – Larger protective barrier, also heals post-burst.
- Aura: Shares the same Riverborn Aura.
Ancient Croaker
- Type: Level 5 Ancient Melee
- Attributes: 1250 Health, 450 Mana
- Speed & Damage: 300 Move Speed, 60-64 Damage
- Resilience: 5 Armor, 30% Magic Resistance
- Rewards: 53-56 Gold, 104 XP
- Ability: Congregations of the Deep – Sends multiple tentacles in all directions, delivering significant damage and stun. Triggers under certain conditions.
This update not only reshapes the strategic choices within the jungle but also emphasizes the importance of adapting tactics and ensuring timely farming and positioning.
