Dota 2 4th September Patch – Content Analysis

September 4th, 2014

Mark

Front End Changes

New Hero – Techies

At long last Dota 2 welcomes its most notoriously explosive personalities: Techies. Now every forest trail, every escape route, and every creep camp can become your most devilish trap. Of course, if your foe steps lightly (or has a Gem of True Sight, or upgraded their Necronomicon) they might dodge your well-placed mines, avoid your ensnaring stasis traps, and sidestep your hidden remote explosives. But even when they’re finally face-to-face with the giggling trio, they’ll still need to contend with your deadly suicide detonation. When Techies are around, nowhere is safe!

Lore

“In the storied saga of Dredger’s Bight, no business has ever been more reviled than Techies Demolitions. Then again, Dredger’s Bight no longer exists. Nor does Toterin. Or even Trapper Town. In fact, if one were to track the history of Techies Demolitions they might notice that shortly after Techies appear, towns tend to disappear.

Like every inevitable disaster surrounding Techies, the obliteration of Dredger’s Bight began with an invention. Tasked with designing a safer way of detonating explosives in the mines beneath the city, pyrotechnic prodigies Squee, Spleen, and Spoon developed their most outlandish creation yet: a button which, when pressed, would trigger a distant device to spark a fuse.

Overeager to test their invention, the trio stuffed barrel after barrel with flamesalt explosives, piling every corner of their tiny workshop high with the newly developed remote bombs. From this stockpile they plucked a single payload, burying it in a far away field. As they cowered in a ditch, Spleen pressed the detonator button. Yet after a moment, nothing happened. Confused, he stood up, pressing his button again and again until, finally, an explosion tore a hole in the field. Elated, Squee and Spleen turned toward home just as a massive wave of sound and force arrived to knock them over.

Bewildered, their ears ringing from the unexpected blast, they gathered in the dingy miasma to see a smoking ruin where their workshop once stood. Chunks of wood and stone continued to fall as the yawning crater before them slowly deepened into an expanding pit. The whole of Dredger’s Bight shuddered, and then gradually started to slide into the mines below as its panicked residents fled.

Sitting at the edge of their sinking home they grinned and giggled, as giddy at the possibilities as they were oblivious to the scorn of their former neighbors. They wondered only one thing: how could they trigger an even bigger blast?”

Abilities

Since the release of Techies on the test client he has now been given a new “Minefield Sign” ability which lets him plant a warning sign every 120 seconds. Only one sign can exist at a time.

Hero Model

The issues regarding the cigar on the front of his model have now been fixed since the test client release.

Techies Arcana – The Swine of the Sunken Galley

“Techies Demolitions proudly unveiled their latest commission: The Swine, the most powerful cannon ever designed. Yet during its first frantic use aboard a homebound galley, the Swine’s awesome blast tore its host ship asunder, rocketing the cannon itself backwards toward the shore. It was found days later, deeply embedded in a rocky cliffside just below its makers’ workshop.”

Includes The Following

Complete 5-Piece Item Set
Effects tinted by Prismatic Gem
Custom Hero, Minimap and Spell Icons
In-game “Minefield Sign” ability
Custom Portrait
Inscribed Gems for all four abilities
Custom animations, effects and sounds
Mine Victims see Mini-taunt
Swine Sappers Loading Screen
Animated Chat Emoticon

The Techies Arcana has been updated with a custom version of the Minefield Sign since his test client release.

A number of the Arcana particle effects have also been updated and a kill counter will now be displayed at the top of the screen that keeps track of the suicide kills made.

The Suicide Kills Inscribed Gem and Explosive Burst Prismatic Gem are contained in the cannon.

The Prismatic Gem will control the overall base effect’s colour which is shown off here against the two Svens on the right.

The rest of the gems are contained in the remote mine.

Techies Squint and Laugh Taunt

“It’s one thing to face an enemy. It’s quite another to face Techies. If you purchased this year’s Compendium for The International, you’ll be granted a special taunt for the troublesome trio. Once equipped, you’re a button press away from laughing at your enemies. Want to rub it in even further? Each time you kill a foe, they’ll get a special view of Techies’ giggling faces.”

The taunt has two different versions, a standard one and one for the Arcana. Both have different particle effects.

Standard Version

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Arcana Version

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Techies` Bombastic Box

“A trio of dynamite commentators, a rocket-strapped courier in a greevil costume, and a HUD skin covered in explosives. What do they have in common? They’re all part of Techies’ Bombastic Box! Peek inside Techies’ Bombastic Box to find the new Techies Announcer, as well as a Nilbog the Mad Courier and the Detonation HUD Skin.”

Includes The Following

Techies Announcer
Nilbog the Mad Courier
Detonation HUD Skin

Techies Announcer

The Techies Announcer now has preview lines enabled.

Nilbog the Mad Courier

The Nilbog the Mad Courier has been updated with a particle effect for the flying version of the courier.

Detonation HUD Skin

All Random Deathmatch

“It’s a fight to the death with an ever-evolving lineup! Each player begins the match with a random hero, and becomes a new hero after every death. But don’t wait for your favorite fighter to come along: each team may only lose 40 heroes before their players will cease to respawn. If a team loses all 40 of their heroes, or their Ancient falls, the match is over. Ready to fight what you can’t predict?”

Gallery of Triumphs

“Introducing the Gallery of Triumphs! Now whenever you accomplish certain feats or complete challenges in Dota 2, you’ll be awarded a trophy you can show off in your Dota profile. Did you conquer your Fantasy Dota League? Earn a trophy. Finished the Ten Hero Challenge from The International Compendium? Earn a trophy. Of course, that’s not all. There are several trophies ready to be earned, with more on the way!”

The new trophy section can be accessed from your player profile.

You will receive pop up notifications when a new trophy has been rewarded.

The gallery has plenty of room for additional trophies and can support multiple pages.

All-Hero Challenge

“Do you have what it takes to win a match with every hero? Prove it! Open your Dota profile to begin the All-Hero Challenge and be assigned a random warrior to take on the road to victory. Claim glory, and then move on to the next. Each hero challenge shows you the average number of matches it took for all players worldwide to win with that hero, and to complete the entire All-Hero Challenge, so you’ll know how you stack up. Finish the All-Hero Challenge to earn a new trophy to display in your Gallery.”

A random hero will be assigned for you to use in your next match up, complete the all-hero challenge and earn a trophy.

Your current hero challenge will display a new icon over the hero card when you’re on the pick screen.

Assured Victory Shout

“The game hasn’t even begun, but already victory seems certain. Equip the Assured Victory Shout in the Action Item slot in the Global Items section of your Loadout and, before the horn sounds and the battle begins, tell the world that this match is in the bag. If your prediction is right and victory comes your way, you’ll earn one point for your Victory Prediction gem. If you’re wrong, it resets to zero. Predict correctly to earn enough points, and you’ll find a new trophy for your Gallery.”

When equipped you will see an action item on your UI that can be used before the horn blows. The action will disappear after that stage.

Battle Glory Kill Banner

“The enemy flees while one, two, three heroes fall before you. Triple Kill! Those who purchased this year’s Compendium for The International will be able to enjoy a new type of multi-kill banner effect that celebrates their most deadly plays. Equip the Battle Glory Kill Banner in the Custom Kill Banner slot in the Global Items section of your Loadout, and then see your screen shine as you fight your way to a Rampage!”

Spice up your killing sprees with the new “Battle Glory Kill Banner”.

The International 2014 Music Pack

“Hearing the right song at the right moment can often turn the tide of battle. Owners of this year’s Compendium for The International will have access to epic new music composed by award-winning artist Chance Thomas. Once you equip The International 2014 Music Pack in your Music slot in the Global Items section of your Loadout, you’ll be ready to ride off into glorious battle!”

Behind the scenes at the making of The International 2014 Music Pack Video:

New League Passes

TP Anatolian Cup

“The first tournament in Turkey by dota2lig.com.There will be 8 teams from Turkey competing for a $500 prize pool! “

SCL 1v1 Mirror Series

“Are you the best? Show us your skills in the new 1v1 Mirror Series of the Star Cloud League. “

Revival E-Sports Dota 2 Open Tournament

“The first series of the Revival E-Sports Dota 2 Open Tournament featuring 32 amateur to semi-pro Indonesian teams who will complete for a prize pool of IDR 3,000,000.”

Game Show Dota 2 League

“On 11-13 September six European teams will compete for the prize pool of $50,000. The tournament will be casted in six languages. Final matches will be played at DreamHack Moscow.”

E-Spot Dota 2 Challenge

“The E-Spot Dota 2 Challenge is a tournament consisting of 16 teams which compete for a prize pool of 160 Euros! “

European Elite League September

“The most talented players in Europe compete in the classic inhouse league format for four weeks.”

Battle of Central Europe Season 2

“In the Battle of Central Europe 64 registered teams compete to qualify with 8 invited teams for a $500 prize pool! “

Sina Cup Season 5

“The fifth season of the Sina Cup has Chinese teams competing for a prize pool of 100,000 Yuan!”

Bulgarian Amateur League Season 3

“This is the third season for the Bulgarian Amateur League. It’s an open league with up to 50 teams competing for a prize. “

Rise of the Myrimidons

“Hungarian teams compete to receive a sponsorship and a $1500 prize pool! “

ESL One New York 2014

“On the 9th and 10th of October, ESL will be transforming the Theatre at Madison Square Garden into the place to be for Dota fans from all over the world. The event will feature eight teams from three different regions. 4 European, 3 North American and one Chinese team will make their way through the qualifiers and secure themselves a spot for the finals in New York! “

Japan Dota Cup #2

“Teams from Japan will compete in the second Japan Dota Cup to become champions!”

VietDOTA League Season 2

“VietDOTA League Season 2 is an online tournament that contains of three tiers: Premier League, Amateur League and Girl Dota Showmatch. All compete for a prize pool of $1000!”

KESL Season 1

“Turkish E-sports scene reveils the first season of the KONTAKT Electronic Sports League where teams will battle for a $4000 prize pool. “

The Translational

“A free to spectate yearly tournament organized with the help of the volunteer translators on Steam Translation.”

Megalodon Starters League Season 1

“Teams participate in the first season of the Megalodon Starters League for cash and hardware prizes!”

CS KMUTT Dota 2 League

“This is a free to spectate league for the Computer Science department at KMUTT University.”

PinoyDota Online Battle Season 3

“PinoyDota Online Battle is back! Now on its 3rd season seven qualifying amateur teams will face the defending champion MSI-EvoGT.TRIC for a P40,000 prize pool!”

Dota Regions

“Dota Regions is a tournament where 16 top semi-pro/pro teams compete for a $1,500 cash prize!”

New League Passes – Item Bundles

Persian Gulf Cup

“The Persian Gulf Cup pits the best teams from the Persian Gulf region against each other for a prize pool of $1000! Bundle includes the Immortals Pride set!”

Includes Legion Commander’s Immortals Pride

2014 National Electronic Sports Tournament

“The 2014 National Electronic Sports Tournament has 16 teams compete in a qualifying round where one of them will go to an 8 team grand final for a $160,000 prize pool! Bundle includes the Blaze Armor set!”

Includes Ember Spirit’s Blaze Armor

UI Updates

Dashboard UI

For the Korean users the toolbar will now display the bonuses being earned when playing in a PC Bang.

Lobby UI

Some updates to the in game private lobby system for broadcasters.

In Game UI

Alt-clicking on an item in an enemy hero’s inventory now informs your teammates that the enemy has that item.

Alt-clicking on the buyback button or your gold will notify your team of your current buyback status.

Bots are now more friendly.

New Emoticon Pack

The Despair Emoticon pack is now in the game.

Preview

Back End Changes

Unreleased UI Updates

Team Fight Recap System

Below you can see a preview of the work in progress “Team Fight Recap” system.

The way the team fight works is that each column contains the stats from that hero for that category.

From this example we can see that Vengeful Spirit and Nature’s Prophet both died on Radiant however the Nature’s Prophet opted to buyback.

We can also see that some heroes like Razor were able to use an ability more than once.

The items used section is still work in progress.

Below that you will be able to also see the difference in gold between the two teams for that fight. This function is also not working yet.

The XP and Damage done charts continue to follow the form of hero columns allowing you to quickly see who was the highest damage dealer in the team and how the XP was spread across the team.