I love the smell of fresh Dota 2 news in the morning! A few days ago, Valve gave us a hint of things to come. They’ve now shared details, putting fans (and myself) out of their misery. The update will include a new hero, Oracle, a new arcana set for Phantom Assassin, as well as some other awesome extras!
Oracle
First up, Oracle! Here’s what the hero is capable of.
Oracle has come to let you seize the fates of both friend and foe. Weave your power into a harmful bolt that stops your enemies and removes helpful auras. Or render an ally resistant to harmful magics. Combine either approach with your double-edged purifying flames, and you’ll have all you need to aid or destroy. Still in danger? Delay an ally’s doom with a false promise, and give them the time needed to see their destiny to its fullest. As Oracle, the future is always in your hands.
FORTUNE’S END – Channel power into a bolt of scouring energy that stops and removes buffs from enemies.
FATE’S EDICT – Briefly render a target immune to magic damage, while boosting all damage from other sources and removing their ability to attack.
PURIFYING FLAMES – Instantly burn a friend or foe, then heal them slowly over time.
FALSE PROMISE – Grant an ally invisibility while moving and attacking. Any damage or healing they receive will be delayed until the spell ends.
If you hate reading, you can watch the hero in action instead. Don’t forget we have a Vidme version for those who can’t access YouTube for whatever reason.
Phantom Assassin Arcana Set
The teaser comic gave us a tiny hint of what the Phantom Assassin arcana set would look like. I drooled over the one fiery blade that was shown… turns out she has two! I was really disappointed when she (somehow) won the vote in the compendium, but I must admit this set looks super sexy. It’s called the Manifold Paradox and It comes with a bunch of rad goodies.
With a raspy cackle, the elder smith Craler swung the sword that his family had spent eleven generations to fold and forge. So sharp it was that, with a sound like tearing fabric, a rip in reality tore open. Through this rip, Craler recognized himself from moments before, holding aloft the very same coveted blade. Then, in a fit of greed and madness, he cut this earlier self down to seize the twin sword as his own. Too late, however, Craler felt a familiar wound, and was suddenly filled with the memory of being cut down himself…
- Weapon evolves and changes colours as Phantom Assassin fulfills contracts in the Nemesis Assassin Event
- Enemies see a special splash effect when struck by Coup de Grace
- Kills are marked on the battlefield with a Paradox Memorial
- Custom spell effects for all abilities
- New dual wielding animations
- Custom base skin with special ambient effects
- Custom loadout pose and effects
Being an arcana, it is ridiculously expensive. Ordinarily, it costs $34.99. Pre-ordering though will give you a 20% discount, bringing the total down to $27.99. I can’t even pretend that I wouldn’t spend that kind of money if an arcana set came out for one of my favourite heroes.
The features above mention a Nemesis Assassin Event. No details on that have emerged yet (as far as I can tell), but I’d imagine it’s simply a matter of marking enemy targets and killing them, or something along those lines. I’d love to see this crit happening with a fully evolved weapon!
Other Goodies
If you’ve got the cash and want to splash on a non-digital item, you can pick up this rad t-shirt. Otherwise, here’s what you can expect in-game.
New Sets
Phantom Assassin isn’t the only hero who can look brand new and shiny. There will be a new chest with sets for other heroes too.
Witness the end of your enemies with new sets created by Dota Cinema for Centaur Warrunner, Clockwerk, Timbersaw,Venomancer, and Necrophos, available separately on the Dota store or as part of the Treasure of the Defender’s Vision. Purchase the Treasure and, should fate prove kind, you may also discover a rare Antipode Courier tucked within!
Charm of the defender’s vision
There’s also some new item that ties in with the Nemesis Assassin Event. It works similar to the win-streak prediction as far as I can tell. I don’t quite understand the benefit of owning one just yet, unless it’s purely for bragging rights.
Oracle peers into the future. Do you share his skill at foresight? Use a Charm of the Defender’s Vision at the beginning of an All Pick match to predict that your team will emerge victorious.
Three correct victory predictions will transform your charm into a Treasure of the Defender’s Vision. Make two incorrect predictions and you’ll receive a Charming Celebration action item instead, primed with three uses.
The Charm of the Defender’s Vision is only available for purchase during the Nemesis Assassin Event. Predict wisely!
New Compendium Rewards
The compendium was packed with rewards for those who purchased one. I honestly don’t think that Valve expected such a positive response. It led to them adding extra rewards as incentive, which is why I think we are only seeing some of the rewards now.There are compendium gems and emoticons, which are nice. There’s also FINALLY the ability to add custom buildings to your base. It doesn’t quite work how I thought it would, but it’s awesome nonetheless.
Those who purchased this year’s Compendium for The International have a new way to display their heroism! Heroic Effigies are a new customization feature allowing players to sculpt their favorite hero, along with any items they have equipped, into a statue for their team’s base.=
To craft an Effigy, first grab your Effigy Block of Triumph, and then use it to open the Sculptor menu and begin posing your hero. After you’ve set your statue’s equipment, pose, and written your inscription, you’re ready to create your Effigy.
Once equipped from your loadout, your Heroic Effigy will appear in your team’s base for all to see.
There’s also the reward of new models for creeps once a barracks has fallen. This is available to EVERYBODY, not just compendium owners.
Emboldened by the destruction of enemy structures, the Ancients have long had the ability to transform their creeps into larger, more imposing warriors to push even further into enemy strongholds. But a new transformation is afoot. Now the Dire creeps become more dire, the Radiant more radiant, each kind taking on architectural characteristics of their Ancient’s fortifications. When the end is nigh, your creep waves will bring death to your enemy’s doorstep.
That quite frankly, is awesome! I’m quite happy that all of these rewards are being added now. I feel like it’s some unforeseen tax return. That being said, there are still some outstanding goodies. Those will more than likely only be added in 2015 though.
Overall
There are no real hero or balance changes, except for the inclusion of Phoenix and Broodmother to captains mode. I am so happy to see that fire bird finally added to competitive play! As for that spider? I hate that hero…
I’m so chuffed with this update otherwise. I hope the Nemesis Assassin Event turns out to be a whole new game mode for the festive season! We’ll find out soon enough. What do you think? Are you excited for the Foreseer’s Contract to land?
Last Updated: November 19, 2014
RinceThis
November 19, 2014 at 12:40
NOOOOOOOB! *Staff pity comment.
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 19, 2014 at 12:58
Don’t be mean to Matty. He loves his vegetables.
RinceThis
November 19, 2014 at 13:10
But, I was being nice!
Tiaan Pat
November 19, 2014 at 12:51
That arcana droooool, just wish i had the monies
Valshen
November 19, 2014 at 12:52
Autoplay video can go back to the ’90s, please.
hairyknees
November 19, 2014 at 13:02
I only autoplay the small stuff 🙂 would you rather I left it off?
Valshen
November 19, 2014 at 13:18
I dislike any autoplay stuff in general.
Hammersteyn
November 19, 2014 at 13:43
lol
Admiral Chief Wang
November 19, 2014 at 14:22
RAAAWWWR
Matthew Holliday
November 19, 2014 at 12:54
im still struggling to find out where pheonix fits in competative play.
no lockdown, average DoT, zero burst damage and a slow farmer.
the attack slow from his birds and dive is usefull, but beam is very HP reliant and his ult makes him vulnerable.
They ran him as a #4 in dotacinemas captains draft tournament, but never felt like he was a game winning hero.
oracle, i dunno, i read over him briefly in warcraft aaaaaages ago, no idea what his deal is.
base and creep thingy is awesome.
arcana ./care
those veno, CW and Timbersaw sets are a must have though, really want.
hairyknees
November 19, 2014 at 13:06
To me, Phoenix is so good in an offlane, maybe as a mid too. If he hits level 3, those fire spirits are fantastic for harassing. I can’t tell you how many times I have won versus a trilane O_O
That being said, the pro players aren’t silly. I don’t know if he would be as effective. It’s so nice having that ulti for zoning though (or initiating if used correctly). Ulti and people panic, focusing on you. If you’ve smacked them with fire spirits, they are useless. Allows your team to come in and do the work. Even if you die, it’s an advantage and you SHOULD win the team fight if everybody follows up.
ToshZA
November 19, 2014 at 12:54
Well I’m buying that Arcana next week on pay day. So sexy, and I want that Exalted quality. 😀
Matthew Holliday
November 19, 2014 at 12:58
i can ignore the arcana, but those other sets and some of the stuff in the shop link he posted though.
yoh, struggling…
ToshZA
November 19, 2014 at 13:06
Yeah I can cope with the Veno set – but I’m holding out for the Fnatic one that’s on the workshop atm. Apart from that I’m already happy with my clockwerk, no interest in Necro or Timber, and I don’t see anything special about that centaur set. So yeah. Pretty much just the Arcana.
Oh and I already have the Luna courier which is omg too awesome. hahaha
Matthew Holliday
November 19, 2014 at 13:24
the veno really is a must have for me
http://www.dotabuff.com/players/58220785
i tend to play him a bit.
any veno set is good for me.
the luna courier doesnt matter much to me, ive had a baby rosh since the first diretide, so thats pretty much been my go to courier.
ToshZA
November 19, 2014 at 13:28
Lol. You were one of the first people on my friends list. xD
http://www.dotabuff.com/players/10814345 Veno is my 3rd most played, love him. But still, I want the right set, and while this one is really good, I’m waiting on that Fnatic one: http://steamcommunity.com/workshop/filedetails/?id=315925903
tim ANDERSON
November 19, 2014 at 13:20
Start making $300 every day for working online for a few hours each day from your home… Get payed weekly on a regular basis… You’ll need a computer, little free time and internet connection and you are ready to go…
—————> www?fox900?com
Hammersteyn
November 19, 2014 at 13:43
The Cabbage is a lie!
hairyknees
November 20, 2014 at 08:02
It’s right there in the header 😛
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2014 at 08:17
Bah too many blue particles
*Chews sour grapes
hairyknees
November 20, 2014 at 15:32
Haha it is one of those particles 😛 just a very dark, green one ^_^
Hammersteyn
November 20, 2014 at 15:49
GG
AbdullA Realman
November 23, 2014 at 03:34
previous reward system was way better than this new greedy imposible to get system….i wish the one who created the new reward system lose all his mony and lose his hope in life and suicide