One of the major complaints from the previous patch was the lack of diversity in carry heroes. Luna, Medusa, and Dragon Knight dominated the meta with their farming and scaling capabilities. Despite only receiving a minor update, the position one meta is now much more varied, with several noteworthy carries re-entering the spotlight.
Following the changes to Blade Fury, many players experimented with a Mjollnir build on Juggernaut, which initially showed promise. However, the traditional Battle Fury build with Bladeform continues to be more effective in the current slower meta for faster farming and increased sustain. While Mjollnir and Power Treads may maximize damage output, the utility and strength provided by Phase Boots into Battlefury reign supreme.
Typically, high-level players opt to skip double Wraith Band and focus on rushing Battlefury before transitioning to Yasha. Aghanim’s Scepter, Butterfly, Eye of Skadi, and Monkey King Bar are common follow-up items in this build path.
Late game, having Blink Dagger and Nullifier ready is essential to counter various defensive options. Lifestealer’s resurgence as a Radiance-rush hero emphasizes farming speed and teamfight survivability, with items like Bracer, Orb of Corrosion, and Phase Boots prioritized.
While Armlet of Mordiggian is valuable, it may be too aggressive in the current meta, making Sange and Yasha into Aghanim’s Scepter a more suitable choice. The Disarm effect on Aghanim’s Scepter can be a game-changer, rendering enemy carries immobile and wasting BKB charges.
Consider picking up Aghanim’s Shard for additional sustain in teamfights, as the hero still awaits further buffs to reach higher-level viability. The Bone Guard facet is recommended for its Skeleton summons, which can zone out or eliminate enemy supports early game, especially when aiming for a Radiance rush.
While Lifestealer may not scale as well as other heroes late-game, the Aghanim’s upgrade can lead to impactful plays and potentially salvage teamfights. The shift in the carry meta has set the stage for other heroes and roles to rise, creating an exciting cycle of meta evolution.
With the game feeling refreshed post-patch, there’s plenty to explore and discover. Share your thoughts on the current meta and any hidden gems you’ve uncovered!
