New patch came with an overhauled map and while the heroes are still being changed and balanced, we don’t believe we are going to see any more map changes until the next big patch. A week later, with some professional teams already getting a chance to test the map in a competitive environment, it is the best time to look at how the changes to the map have influenced warding, pulling and team positioning.

Let's have a moment of silence for Ring of Aquila in patch 7.20, as we ponder the swath of changes to Dota's items. The patch introduced five new items--Kaya's combinations, Holy Locket, Ring of Tarrasque, and the new Crown--and reworked some of our most beloved trinkets.

The wait is over and it seems it was worth it—the changelog for patch 7.20 is massive. Today we will be focusing on the general changes to the game, looking at how they might affect the gameplay and what they mean for an average Dota player.

Several more interesting picks came out in Kuala Lumpur Major as the last hoorah for 7.19. While the majority of games were filled with the same old Terrorblades, Morphlings, Phantom Lancers and Arc Wardens, there were a couple of deviations teams have tried to answer the meta’s biggest threats.

With 7.20 already confirmed for right after the Kuala Lumpur Major and given how the priority picks and bans were very stable for the last several tournaments, we decided not to do a full meta recap, instead focusing on the biggest meta surprises during this tournament.

Valve responds to the issues of racist language in the pro community, the much anticipated patch 7.20 is one week away, and the Kuala Lumpur Major enters its final week.

While its easy for players to be intimated by managing Brewmaster’s multiple summons, the hero has a greater than 50% win rate across all skill brackets.

DPC-season would start great, if it wasn’t for the same old patch. The first big tournaments both had great formats, amazing talent and very intense games… featuring the same heroes once again. However, just like with ESL One Hamburg, there were several new developments worth discussing.

Tigers take down Na'Vi 3-2 to win the Dreamleague Minor and a ticket to the Kuala Lumpur Major, Valve announces the 2nd and 3rd Major of the circuit, and Team Aster and Nip make roster changes ahead of the KL Major.

With the Dota season kicking into gear, Dotabuff product manager, Cptn.Canuck, offers some perspective competing at the pro-amateur level, chronicling his journey to his first LAN at WESG Canada.