Dota 2: Zeus can return to the pro scene thanks to the buff in patch 7.16

Zeus and Specter are currently kings in the pub arena with a win rate of nearly 60%. The only difference is that Zeus is picked twice as often as Specter, appearing 18% in pubs. Zeus’ presence in pubs is unquestionable, but in the pro meta, Zeus is still quite limited. But with the changelog in patch 7.16, things can change.

Usually, heroes that make a splash in the pub arena can have an impact in low-ranked matches. Those are the heroes that the average Dota player can succeed.

Crystal Maiden, Underlord, and Vengeful Spirit’s Auras help the team without breaking a sweat. In addition, these heroes are quite easy, easy to stun. Wraith King is one of those ‘one button’ heroes with two lives. Riki and Ax are often ignored.

That’s why these heroes are strong in pubs, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be strong in pro. Zeus is clearly strong in pubs, but there are a few weaknesses that make him average in high ranked matches.

In the professional arena, laning plays an important role in the game. And unfortunately for Zeus, this hero is easily countered. Zeus has the worst attack animation in the game, on par with Lina’s. Zeus had to rely on Arc Lightning to last hit, making the ‘lane balance’ benefit the opponent. This hero is a bait for ganks, and Zeus has very few counter moves.

If picked mid, Zeus is very rarely on top of the opponent. Viper is an obsession with the vast majority of heroes, more specifically Zeus is very afraid of this hero’s Corrosive Skin. Templar Assassins and Puck can solo in lane, and both heroes can kill Zeus at level 6. In most cases, in the brightest, Zeus is only equal in lane.

Buff from patch 7.00

Patch 7.00 could be the key to unlocking potential for Zeus. These talents help the hero transition well into the mid and late game. The Nimbus skill is worth putting this hero on Aghanim.

But that cannot limit the weakness of this hero. Since 7.00, this hero is continuously buffed. Both 7.02 and 7.03 make Niumbus stronger, reducing the ability’s cooldown/duration and attack speed. To the point, Aghanim’s Scepter is now the first core item that Zeus has to build.

Zeus also received a buff to improve his weakness in lane. Zeus base strength increased by 2 and base color regeneration increased from 0 to 1.5. More importantly, base damage is increased in 7.12, 7.15 and again at 7.16, for a total increase from 21-29 to 33-41.

At the first level, Zeus has a base damage of 53-61, ranking higher than Queen of Pain, Death Prophet and Shadow Fiend with 8 souls. This is probably the last change to help Zeus slip into the pro scene since Arc Lighting doesn’t have an advantage in denying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=521jC7njVLA

This change may seem small, but Zeus can now participate in denying, specifically deny xp, making the hero more competitive in lane. In addition, Zeus also has increased attack distance for hand attacks and Lighting Bolt. With the meta shifting from turret push to teamfight, we could see Zeus more present in the pro scene.

According to dotabuff