What needs changing:
PATCH RELEASING
Lets take this patch for example. Instead of Releasing everything at once, release it in stages.
Something like this:
First part of (this) patch: Release the New items, website, new game modes, and animations. Nothing else changes. Give that 3-4 days of letting people play around with their new items to find things they like, bugs with animations, and problems with website. Put fixes into Step 2
Step 2: Release the the Item slot changes and the no sheath limits. DO NOT CHANGE STATS OF ITEMS YET. Let everyone learn how this works, give 5-7 days for testing of these features. Put fixes into Step 3.
Step 3:(Whine time) Release the Item nerfs, price increases, etc. With this release, the final part of the test is done. You will get the whine, the hate, and the praise (most of it, anyway) in this step.
By doing it like this, the patch is released longer, but the damage is gradually absorbed and people can see where there builds are headed over time rather than just "OMG GTX, QQ".