Dota 2 14th November Patch – Content Analysis

This week’s Dota 2 test patch has arrived bringing us the Dark Reef escapee, Slark. If that’s not enough to give you nightmares then the arrival of the Greevils soon looms upon us. You can view the full changelog here.

Front End Changes

New Hero

Slark

Slark, the Nightcrawler. 

“Little known to the inhabitants of the dry world, Dark Reef is a sunken prison where the worst of the sea-bred are sent for crimes against their fellows. It is a razor barbed warren full of murderous slithereen, treacherous Deep Ones, sociopathic meranths. In this dim labyrinth, patrolled by eels and guarded by enormous anemones, only the vicious survive. Pitched into Dark Reef for crimes unknown, Slark spent half a lifetime without kin or kindness, trusting no one, surviving through a combination of stealth and ruthlessness, keeping his thoughts and his plans to himself. When the infamous Dark Reef Dozen plotted their ill-fated breakout, they kept their plans a perfect secret, murdering anyone who could have put the pieces together–but somehow Slark discovered their scheme and made a place for himself in it. Ten of the Dozen died in the escape attempt, and two were captured, hauled back to Dark Reef, then executed for the entertainment of their fellow inmates. But Slark, the unsung thirteenth, used the commotion as cover and slipped away, never to be caught. Now a furtive resident of the carnivorous mangrove scrub that grips the southern reach of Shadeshore, Slark remains the only successful escapee from Dark Reef.”

  

   

Model Viewer Shots

In Game Shots

UI Updates

We’ve a number of new UI updates in this patch, a chat wheel for quickly sending messages in game and some other updates for the dashboard.

In Game UI Updates

It is now possible to quickly alert/respond to your allies using the new “Chat Wheel” option (default key y), using this radial wheel will allow you to quickly select predetermined text responses.

Using the “Missing” option will also state which lane you’re talking about and will also play the hero voice response (if the hero has one).

Eg: You’re sitting in middle teaching Dendi how to play Dota and he runs off/leaves the lane, in this situation using the “Missing” option will display the message “Missing mid” and will also make your hero call out that mid is missing (if the hero has one).

Dashboard UI Updates

The Dashboard also got some UI loving with the new “keyboard template” options, which will allow you to quickly reset your keybinds to a specific template.

Normal template:

WASD template:

Legacy template:

The UI also has a shortcut to the “Player Activity” page directly via the “Play” tab. Using this shortcut will take you to the magical heatmaps that Zoid cooked up.

(You can also access it from your web-browser here: http://dota2.com/overview)

The location of the shortcut:

The sexy player activity chart in action:

Back End Changes

Updated Strings

Strings for the chat wheel:

    "DOTA_ChatWheel"    "Chat Wheel"

    "dota_chatwheel_label_Ok"        "Okay"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Care"        "Care"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_GetBack"      "Get Back"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_NeedWards"    "Need Wards"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Stun"        "Stun"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Help"        "Help"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Push"        "Push"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_GoodJob"      "Well played"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Missing"      "Missing"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Missing_Top"    "Missing top"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Missing_Mid"    "Missing mid"
    "dota_chatwheel_label_Missing_Bottom"  "Missing bottom"
    
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Ok"        "Okay."
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Care"      "Careful!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_GetBack"    "Get Back!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_NeedWards"    "We need wards."
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Stun"      "Stun now!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Help"      "Help!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Push"      "Push now"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_GoodJob"    "Well played!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Missing"    "Missing!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Missing_Top"    "Missing top!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Missing_Mid"    "Missing mid!"
    "dota_chatwheel_message_Missing_Bottom"    "Missing bottom!"
									

More tutorial string updates:

    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_Move"        "Hey, you! Dragon Knight! Over here!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_MoveHow"      "<font color='#EE0000'><b>Right Click</b></font> to move where you want to go. Move to the highlighted location!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_MoveCam"      "Head north, across the bridge!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_MoveCamHow"    "You can move the camera in several ways:n- <font color='#EE0000'><b>Move your mouse</b></font> to the edge of the screen.n- With the <font color='#EE0000'><b>%+forward% %+moveleft% %back% %+moveright%</b></font> keys.n- By holding down your <font color='#EE0000'><b>Middle Mouse button</b></font> and dragging."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_Warning"      "We could use your help! Our old Dire enemy <font color='#EE0000'><b>Razor</b></font> is attacking the outposts. <font color='#EE0000'><b>Keeper of the Light</b></font> already went after him. He said to send you along when you showed up."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_Attack"      "Attack this Dire creep by <font color='#EE0000'><b>right clicking</b></font> on him."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_AttackWave"    "Whoa, incoming creeps! Help with the defense, Dragon Knight!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_Camp"        "Okay, Dragon Knight, follow us to the watchtower. No doubt more of those Dire creeps are on the way!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CampLevel"    "Hey, you gained a level! Feels good, don't it?"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CampLevelHint"  "Click the <font color='#EE0000'><b>LEVEL UP</b></font> button above your portrait and select your first skill, <font color='#EE0000'><b>Breathe Fire</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CampInvade"    "Something's coming! Quick, DK, cast Breathe Fire on that creep!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CampUseBreath"  "Hit your <font color='#EE0000'><b>%dota_ability_execute 0%</b></font> key to starting casting <font color='#EE0000'><b>Breathe Fire</b></font>, and then <font color='#EE0000'><b>Left Click</b></font> on an enemy to target it!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CampFinish"    "Nice. That's why you're a hero and we're just creeps. We'll hold this watchtower. You press on and find Keeper of the Light, so you can team up to fight Razor.nnYou still look a little out of shape. You'll need some more experience and better equipment to face him!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_ShopAttract"    "Ah, Dragon Knight! A true hero!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_ShopOpen"      "Greetings, my friend, and welcome to my shop! Hit <font color='#EE0000'><b>%toggleshoppanel%</b></font>, or click the <font color='#EE0000'><b>SHOP</b></font> button to browse my wares! Allow me to make a few recommendations. For you, I suggest a Healing Salve and perhaps, hm, yes...a Stout Shield. I believe you have just enough gold to afford them."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_BuyShield"    "<font color='#EE0000'><b>Right click</b></font> on the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Stout Shield</b></font> to purchase it.  The <font color='#EE0000'><b>Stout Shield</b></font> can be found under the Armaments tab."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_InspectShield"  "The <font color='#EE0000'><b>Stout Shield</b></font> is a passive item, you do not need activate it to gain its benefit.  Mouse over the shield in your inventory to view its bonuses.nnPurchase the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Healing Salve</b></font> when you're ready to proceed.  It can be found under the Consumables tab."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_UsePotion"    "I see you've been fighting already. You might want to use that Salve right now. Healing Salves are <font color='#EE0000'><b>Active Items</b></font>, so you need use them on a target. <font color='#EE0000'><b>Left-click</b></font> on the Salve in your inventory to get a targeting cursor, then <font color='#EE0000'><b>left-click</b></font> on yourself to drink it."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_PostPotion"    "Be careful while that salves works its magic. If you take any damage, the healing will stop!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_BuyClarity"    "Buy a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Clarity</b></font> potion.  It'll be useful on your adventure by allowing you to quickly regenerate mana over time.nnIn addition to clicking on the item, you can also hit <font color='#EE0000'><b>%!item_flask%</b></font> to use Clarity (each inventory slot has a key assigned to it). Hitting <font color='#EE0000'><b>%!item_flask%</b></font> twice will immediately use it on yourself."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_GoCreepingFollow"  "Since you ask, I spotted a fresh den of Kobolds in the woods to the south. There's a fair bounty on their heads! Follow me!"

    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_GoCreeping"    "Well done, my friend. Now, I have another item here that would be perfect for the battle ahead, but you'll need to earn a bit more gold first. Roquelaire, where might our knightly friend find some lucrative work for his sword?"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CreepingLevel"  "You've earned another level!  Click the <font color='#EE0000'><b>LEVEL UP</b></font> button and select <font color='#EE0000'><b>Dragon Blood</b></font>.  This will increase your armor (reducing the damage done by enemy attacks) and increase your health regeneration."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_GoldEarned"    "You've earned enough gold Dragon Knight!  Return to the merchant when you're ready to proceed."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_CreepingAllDead"  "Well done!  You've earned enough gold and destroyed the Kobold threat.  Return to the merchant and see about that new item."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_BuyGauntlets"    "You're back! And with fresh coin from dispatching Kobolds. It is my pleasure to offer you an excellent repeat customer price on these <font color='#EE0000'><b>Gauntlets of Strength</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_BoughtGauntlets"  "I have more fine items for you, good knight. But as before, you will need more gold."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitIntro"    "There's a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font> in the shop to further boost your attributes.  I spotted a battle to the west where we can earn enough gold to purchase that <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitHowTo"    "In battle with others, you need to get the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Last Hit</b></font> on a creep to earn bonus gold."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitReminder"  "Remember you only earn gold from getting the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Last Hit</b></font> on a creep!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitFollow"  "This way!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitGold185"  "Well done, you've earned enough gold for the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font>.  Let's return to the merchant!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitCirclet"  "Welcome back!  Buy the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font> to further boost your attributes. Move your mouse over the attributes next to your portrait below to see the benefits from higher attributes."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitBracer"  "Surely you'll need more before you face Razor though.  I'd recommend some <font color='#EE0000'><b>Bracers</b></font>.  Bracers are an <font color='#EE0000'><b>Upgraded Item</b></font>, which requires one or more items and a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Recipe</b></font>.  Return when you've earned 190 gold and I'll show you how."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitAgain"    "Back to the battle!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitAttack"  "Moving to cancel an attack is a good way to timing a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Last Hit</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitGold190"  "You've earned enough gold to buy the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Bracer Recipe</b></font>!  Return to the merchant when you're ready."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitRecipe"  "You're back! Purchase the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Recipe</b></font> to craft the bracers from your <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font> and <font color='#EE0000'><b>Gauntlets</b></font>.  To do so, open the Shop and click <font color='#EE0000'><b>UPGRADES</b></font>. Then click on the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Bracers</b></font>.  This will show you all the items required to craft the bracer.  You already have them, so all you need is the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Recipe</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_LastHitComplete"  "Notice your <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font> and <font color='#EE0000'><b>Gauntlets</b></font> have been consumed to create the upgraded <font color='#EE0000'><b>Bracer</b></font>, which will provide a greater attributes bonus, and free up space in your inventory."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_UltBegin"      "Those Bracers provide a good attributes bonus but we need one more thing, your ultimate ability, <font color='#EE0000'><b>Elder Dragon Form</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_UltLevelReq"    "There's more Dire creeps this way we can get some experience from.  Keep leveling until you've reached <font color='#EE0000'><b>level six</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_UltLevel"      "That'll do it!  Level up and choose <font color='#EE0000'><b>Elder Dragon Form</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_RazorBegin"    "Razor is coming, I can feel it in the air... Use your <font color='#EE0000'><b>Elder Dragon Form</b></font> and defeat him!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_RazorIncoming"  "Here he comes!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_RazorDead"    "You've defeated Razor!nn[<b>Mechanics 1 Complete</b>]"

    "DOTA_Quest_MoveTo"          "Head for the gate"
    "DOTA_Quest_FindKeeper"        "Find <font color='#EE0000'><b>Keeper of the Light</b></font>"
    "DOTA_Quest_FindRazor"        "Defeat <font color='#EE0000'><b>Razor<b></font>"
    "DOTA_Quest_DefendCamp"        "Use <font color='#EE0000'><b>Breathe Fire</b></font> to defend the watchtower"
    "DOTA_Quest_ClearNeutral"      "Clear <font color='#EE0000'><b>three</b></font> neutral camps"
    "DOTA_Quest_EarnMoney2"        "Earn 185 gold and buy a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Circlet</b></font>"
    "DOTA_Quest_EarnMoney3"        "Earn 190 gold and buy <font color='#EE0000'><b>Bracers</b></font>"
    "DOTA_Quest_LevelUlt"        "Reach <font color='#EE0000'><b>Level Six</b></font>"
									

Shredder is now listed as a unit in the game and his abilities have strings:

    "npc_dota_hero_shredder"      "Shredder"

    // SHREDDER
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death"              "Whirling Death"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death_Description"        "Shredder whirls extremely sharp edges, damaging enemies and destroying trees around him in an area.  If an enemy hero is affected, it loses some of its primary attribute for a short duration.  Whirling Death will deal Pure damage if a tree is cut down in the process."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death_Lore"            ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death_whirling_damage"      "DAMAGE:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death_whirling_radius"      "RADIUS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death_stat_loss_pct"      "%STAT LOSS PERCENT:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_whirling_death_duration"          "DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_timber_chain"              "Timber Chain"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_timber_chain_Description"        "Shredder fires a chain that embeds itself in the first tree it hits, pulling him towards it.  Any enemy in the path takes damage."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_timber_chain_Lore"            ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_timber_chain_damage"            "DAMAGE:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_timber_chain_range"            "CAST RANGE:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_timber_chain_damage_radius"        "RADIUS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor"              "Reactive Armor"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor_Description"        "Each time Shredder is attacked, he gains increased health regen and armor."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor_Lore"            ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor_bonus_armor"        "BONUS ARMOR:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor_bonus_hp_regen"      "BONUS HP REGEN:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor_stack_limit"        "MAX STACKS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_reactive_armor_stack_duration"      "STACK DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram"                  "Chakram"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_Description"            "Fires your main saw blade at the target location, and once there the blade will spin, dealing damage in an area around it and slowing enemies.  For each 5%% of health missing, enemies caught in the saw blade move more slowly. The blade deals damage and cuts down trees in its path when fired and retracted. You lose the ability to attack and spend mana while the blade is out."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_Lore"              ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_radius"              "RADIUS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_pass_damage"            "PASS DAMAGE:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_damage_per_second"        "DAMAGE PER SECOND:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_slow"              "%SLOW:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_chakram_mana_per_second"          "MANA COST PER SECOND:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_return_chakram"              "Return Chakram"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_shredder_return_chakram_Description"        "Returns the Chakram to Goblin Shredder."
									

A new “Smoothdrag” option for the spectator camera controls:

    "UI_CAMERA_SMOOTHDRAG"                      "SMOOTHDRAG IN SPECTATE"
    "UI_CAM_REVERSE_GRIP"                      "REVERSE CAMERA GRIP"
									

Tom Chantler is credited with doing the voice work for Slark:

    Tom Chantler - Centaur, Lion, Riki, Slark, Witch Doctor, Outworld Destroyer
									

String for confirming that you want to hatch your egg and dance with your Greevil:

    "DOTA_Egg_Confirm"            "Are you sure you want to hatch this egg?"
									

Unreleased Cosmetic Items

We’ve some more updates to Bub, Disruptor’s first custom mount.

Disruptor’s Mount

Bub has undergone a model and texture update.

Comparison Slider – Mount Only

Comparison Slider – With Disruptor

New Bub

Old Bub

Winter Update

The existence of a Christmas Gamemode is now referenced in the files:

    DOTA_GAMEMODE_XMAS = 9
									

As well as the gamemode reference there are also a range of props, bushes etc that already have started to receive “snow” textured versions.

Winter Props

Winter Textures

The Greevils

In preparation of the arrival of the Greevil hatching ceremony we now have more information of the different parts, effects etc that the Greevils will be made up of.

Greevil’s Parts

The Greevils will have 10 different parts that will allow for a large variety of Greevils to co-exist.

    "Courier_Slots"      "Courier Slots"
    "CourierSlot_horns"    "Horns: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_teeth"    "Teeth: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_tail"    "Tail: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_hair"    "Hair: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_nose"    "Nose: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_ears"    "Ears: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_wings"    "Wings: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_eyes"    "Eyes: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_effect"  "Effect: %s1"
    "CourierSlot_feathers"  "Feathers: %s1"
									

Below are some of the known parts that will be available:

Ears

Perky Greevil Ears
Pointed Greevil Ears

Hair

Short Greevil Hair
Long Greevil Hair

Horns

Stubby Greevil Horns
Wicked Greevil Horns
Massive Greevil Horns
Demonic Greevil Horns

Noses

Modest Greevil Nose
Hooked Greevil Nose
Horned Greevil Nose

Tails

Thin Greevil Tail
Balanced Greevil Tail
Spiked Greevil Tail
Evil Greevil Tail

Teeth

Simple Greevil Teeth
Sharp Greevil Teeth
Toothy Greevil Teeth
Jagged Greevil Teeth

Wings

Barely Functional Greevil Wings
Functional Greevil Wings
Elaborate Greevil Wings
Gothic Greevil Wings

Eyes

Googly Greevil Eyes

Feathers

Shaggy Greevil Feathers

Effects

Naked Air
Naked Ambience
Naked Aura

Exort Air
Exort Ambience
Exort Aura

Flam Air
Flam Ambience
Flam Aura

Wex Air
Wex Ambience
Wex Aura

Vas Air
Vas Ambience
Vas Aura

Quas Air
Quas Ambience
Quas Aura

Por Air
Por Ambience
Por Aura

Sanct Air
Sanct Ambience
Sanct Aura

Corp Air
Corp Ambience
Corp Aura

Greevil’s Sound Effects

We also have some Greevil sound effects in this patch:

Grunt Sound Effects

grunt_01.mp3:

grunt_02.mp3:

Other Changes

We also have some other minor changes in this patch.

RoqueLaire

RoqueLaire’s model has been updated again, this time with a new animation “land_idle1″:

Centaur Warrunner’s Voicework

Centaur has a new single voice line for when spawning in, referring to himself as Warrunner instead of Warchief.

cent_spawn_03.mp3:

Materials Update

Some more material updates for the unreleased hero Medusa in this patch.

Medusa’s Materials

Medusa’s texture palette has been updated with a fresh set of colours suggesting that Medusa’s materials are still being worked on:

Medusa’s updated materials:

 

Particles Update

Medusa also gets some updated particle work done in this patch.

Medusa’s Particles

Predictions For The Next Hero

Also whilst you’re waiting for those eggs to hatch, here’s some Big Booty Greevil action (audio is NSFW):

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