Highlights:
The Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) title Dota 2 has received a new update which could possibly be the last one for it this year. The most interesting additions to the game with the new update are the magic item Magus Cypher Arcana for the in-game character Rubick and introduction of a new game mode called ‘Frosthaven,’ which will be available through January 3. The new Arcana will unlock new visual effects when the character uses its ultimate ability ‘Spell Steal’ to, as the name suggests, acquire spells from its opponents. The new visuals will be applied for 115 stolen spells and are applied on the cape that changes. The character also gets dynamic cape colours, and more animations than any other hero in the game, states Valve.
The Arcana will also be compatible with the Crux of Perplex Immortal Item for Rubick, which will come with its dynamic colour effects. Additionally, the new item will give Rubick a new base model, textures, and a custom animated pedestal, along with a set of new animations for the character and a new sound and visual effect for Spell Steal. As for the Frosthaven game mode, players will need to defend the original Frostivus tree by taking on waves of enemies being sent by Rubick, who wants to uproot the tree and explore the source of its powers. Players will be awarded points in every match of Frosthaven, however, this depends on how many waves the player has survived. These points can be exchanged for rewards.
Valve recently announced that the next edition of its annual Dota 2 tournament, The International, will be hosted in Shanghai. The company has not doled out exact dates yet but we expect the tournament to be sold out when tickets go live, since it is one of the biggest esport tournaments in the world with millions of dollars being offered as prize money. This year tournament’s prize pool was $25,532,177, with $11,234,158 for the winning team. Second and third places got $4,085,148 and $2,680,879 respectively.
Related Read:
Valve's The International Dota 2 tournament will be held in Shanghai next year