Speculations are rife concerning the subsequent hero to hitch the Dota 2 roster on the Worldwide 2023 (TI12). Valve is a grasp in the case of foreshadowing and putting easter eggs of their Dota 2 Updates and bulletins.
We are going to study the potential candidates primarily based on varied teasers, leaks, and data-mined info.
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Picture supply: Dota 2
Ring Grasp (Puppet Grasp)
The current patch (7.33) titled “The New Frontiers“, gives attention-grabbing clues concerning the upcoming hero. Throughout the patch thumbnail image, an intriguing circus ticket was discovered close to the map, suggesting a personality with a circus or leisure background. This struck off as an oddball, contemplating not one of the current Dota 2 heroes have any circus theme.
We don’t contemplate this might tie right down to the theme of TI12 both. This 12 months’s theme is extra grandeur than clownish, with using fancy stained glass.
Knowledge miners have uncovered mentions of a ‘Puppet Grasp‘ from older lists. Nonetheless, current recordsdata point out the time period ‘Ring_Master‘, particularly inside Rubick’s Arcana recordsdata. Rubick has the Spell Steal final, which lets him steal any hero talent from an enemy hero, so the builders may be getting ready a brand new Rubick Arcana impact for Ring Grasp’s stolen talents.
As to why there’s a change in identify, it may be resulting from Valve’s intention to distinguish from a personality in “Heroes of Newerth” that shares the identical identify, to keep away from breaching potential mental property rights.
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The “New Frontiers” Replace thumbnail picture
Hen Samurai or Black King
The Summer time 2023 Consumer Replace introduced ahead one other mysterious piece of proof of a brand new hero. The up to date consumer featured a picture with a faint record of heroes behind the layover for “Participant Behaviour Abstract” report.
Whereas the hero identify was censored, it’s sufficient of a touch as this narrows down the hero identify, which match alphabetically between Beastmaster and Bloodseeker, suggesting it begins with “B”. Earlier data-mined lists embody a ‘Hen Samurai‘ which aligns with this clue. Extra indicators embody the point out of an merchandise named ‘Samurai Tobi‘, initially slated for launch in 7.33 however was later held again.
Alternatively, ‘Black King‘ (linked to the well-known Black King Bar) can also be a potential choice. Albeit, the present knowledge gives restricted proof pointing in direction of their imminent introduction.
Eldor Wizard: A Transition from Meme to Recreation?
Lastly, this one’s quite farfetched, however one other potential candidate rising from data-mined info is the Eldor Wizard. The character has deep roots within the Dota 2 dev crew, paying tribute to the longstanding “Shitty Wizard” meme. Through the “emoji patch preview”, it inadvertently displayed the total identify “Eldor El Mago” in its Spanish translation.
Whereas this will appear to be a tempting addition to Dota 2, observe that traditionally, the “Shitty Wizard” has been portrayed as a humorous determine, using the sport’s donkey courier. As such, this might simply be an inside joke among the many janitors working behind the scenes.
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The Shitty Wizard
Nonetheless, a number of different references embody a figurine present in Muerta’s trailer and in-game parts, alluding to this character. This will counsel Valve’s potential curiosity in transitioning this meme into an in-game actuality.
Launch Speculations
Whereas all speculations abound, it’s anticipated that the one hundred and twenty fifth Dota 2 hero shall be unveiled throughout the Worldwide 2023 ceremony, set to happen from October 27-29.
Valve has a historical past of placing leaked content material onto the shelf and delaying releases indefinitely, it’s potential that we’ll have an precise launch of a brand new Dota 2 hero or two.
In spite of everything, Valve did point out they needed to develop updates that cater to an even bigger inhabitants of its playerbase as an alternative of monetizing content material as their principal goal. This implies two new Dota 2 heroes, comparable to the nice outdated days of Darkish Willow x Pangolier launch or Snapfire x Void Spirit, are upon us.
Because the Dota 2 group eagerly waits, these speculations primarily based on data-mined content material and refined in-game hints gasoline the thrill at TI12. The upcoming hero, be it a grasp of puppets, a warrior chicken, or a wizard from the memes, will hopefully salvage the negativity that has constructed up over the underwhelming TI12-related festivities and no Battle Go 2023.