This week’s Dota 2 update has arrived bringing us a new gamemode to use in matchmaking, some big improvements to the workshop system and other bug fixes/bot improvements. You can view the full changelog here.

Front End Changes

Creep Model Updates

We have some texture updates for Radiant’s melee creep.

Radiant’s Melee Creep

Comparison Slider

New Radiant Melee Creep

Old Radiaint Melee Creep

In Game Shot

Hero Models Broken Down

We have a couple of updates to two of the existing more recent models, breaking down Medusa and updates to Chaos Knight to provide him with custom mount support.

Chaos Knight’s Model

Chaos Knight has had his base model updated and now has a separate mount model.

Default Parts

Chaos Knights horse head -> Chaos Knights horse

New Base Model

Mount Base Model

Medusa’s Model

Medusa’s model has been broken down so she can now support cosmetic items.

Default Parts

Medusa’s Bow
Medusa’s Veil
Medusa’s Chest Armor
Medusa’s Bracers
Medusa’s Tail

Base Model

Updated Hero Ability Icons

We have some updates to some existing hero ability icons.

Spectre’s Ability Icons

Alternative Hero Ability Icons

We also have a new batch of alternative hero ability icons in this patch.

Axe’s Ability Icons

Bane’s Ability Icons

Bloodseeker’s Ability Icons

Bounty Hunter’s Ability Icons

Broodmother’s Ability Icons

Dark Troll Warlord’s Ability Icons

Doom’s Ability Icons

Huskar’s Ability Icons

Invoker’s Ability Icons

Lich’s Ability Icons

Lone Druid’s Ability Icons

Necrolyte’s Ability Icons

Necronomicon’s Ability Icons

Phantom Assassin’s Ability Icons

Pudge’s Ability Icons

Queen of Pain’s Ability Icons

Spectre’s Alt Ability Icons

Ursa’s Ability Icons

Warlock’s Ability Icons

Witch Doctor’s Ability Icons

Alternative Hero Textures

We also have some alternative hero textures in this patch as well.

Naga Siren’s Textures

UI Updates

The in game workshop tools have also received a large update.

Workshop Updates

The in game Dota 2 workshop compiler has been updated with support for couriers and wards.

Cosmetic ward support, with two materials – one for the observer, the other for the sentry ward.

The courier submission requires separate model submissions for the ground and flying versions.

The couriers require the model, textures, animations and attachment points for the hit location and the two eyes (for unusual effect support).

Testing a custom courier, each animation can be selected.

You can flip between the ground/flying versions of the courier as well as switch between the different camera modes.

A new feature is the attachment highlight which will help debug any bone issues etc.

It is also now possible to equip multiple compiled models and preview them in game using the workshop preview tools.

We have an additional camera mode which lets you preview the items from a hero portrait point of view.

Cosmetic Item Updates

Some small update’s to one of Tidehunter’s existing cosmetic items.

Tidehunter’s Items

Tidehunter’s Recluse Reef Denizen has been updated with cloth physics and is no longer stiff as a dead duck.

New Gamemode

The “Least Played” gamemode that I referenced in last week’s update has now been added into the game and is available in both match making and private lobbies.

“Players can only choose from a list of their least played heroes! This mode is great for learning new heroes since everyone will be on equal footing.” *

* The top 20 winning heroes for each player will be disabled. Heroes with less than 3 wins will not be disabled.

Other Changes

Outworld Destroyer has now been renamed to “Outworld Demolisher”:

Back End Changes

Updated Strings

We have some more tutorial string updates.

    "DOTA_Tutorial_M1_KeeperIntro"    "Ah, now who’s this fine fellow?  Of course, Dragon Knight! We've had ourselves a bit of a dust-up with enemy creeps, so if you'll lend us your sword arm, I'll keep you supplied in mana."

    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_Begin"      "Sniper!  Glad I found you, the base has been under attack.  <font color='#EE0000'><b>Tidehunter</b></font> was spotted leading various creep waves against our defenses trying to wear us down."

    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_BuyBelt"      "We've earned a tidy sum of gold holding off that siege.  It's probably time to upgrade those ratty boots of yours.  Purchase the Belt of Strength from the Shop."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_BuyBeltRetrieve"  "Oh right, we're in a bit of a bind now that we're so far from base.  Returning to the base will be a bit of trouble, on the flight over I noticed the path has been blocked due to a landslide... but!  There's another way to get the items."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_CourierUpgrade"  "We could upgrade the Courier!  I could fly over here without issue, the courier could do the same if we upgraded it.  Purchase the Flying Courier from the shop."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_CourierTransfer"  "Let's load up the Courier and send it here without leaving this location.nnPress %dota_select_courier% to select the Courier.  With the Courier selected you can click the Grab All button on the stash because he is in the base."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_CourierRetrieve"  "Now that the Courier has our belt, press %dota_courier_deliver%.  You can track the progress of the Courier on the overview map as he travels to us.  Reselect yourself using %+dota_camera_follow%."

Players who have abandoned the game will now show up on the scoreboard as “Abandoned”. The match history page will also show the game as an “ABANDON”.

    "DOTA_Scoreboard_Abandoned"        "Abandoned"
    "dota_match_history_abandon"                  "ABANDON"

More strings for the unreleased guide system.

    "DOTA_UI_build_rating"    "Rating:"
    "DOTA_UI_guide_panel_description"  "Description"
    "DOTA_UI_guide_panel_skills"    "Skills"

    "DOTA_UI_guide_panel_items"    "Items"
    "DOTA_UI_subscribe"    "Subscribe"
    "DOTA_UI_unsubscribe"    "Unsubscribe"

As well as the new “Least Played” gamemode, there are now references to a “New Player Pool” mode which will only contain a restricted set of heroes made to help new players gain an understanding of the game.

    "dota_game_mode_12"                        "LEAST PLAYED"
    "dota_game_mode_13"                        "NEW PLAYER POOL"

    "dota_game_mode_12_desc"                    "Players can only choose from a list of their least played heroes! This mode is great for learning new heroes since everyone will be on equal footing."

Some new UI strings for shortday.

    "UI_day_short_1"        "Su"
    "UI_day_short_2"        "Mo"
    "UI_day_short_3"        "Tu"
    "UI_day_short_4"        "We"
    "UI_day_short_5"        "Th"
    "UI_day_short_6"        "Fr"
    "UI_day_short_7"        "Sa"

New strings for the Workshop update.

    "DOTA_Workshop_AddWearables"    "Additional Items"
    "DOTA_Workshop_TestExplanation"    "Wearables need to be tested to ensure they're within budget. Select the compiled model and then hit the Test button. If you're submitting something other than a wearable, you can skip this step. Submissions of untested wearable models won't be considered for addition into Dota 2."
    "DOTA_Workshop_NoFile"        "< NO FILE SELECTED >"
    "DOTA_Workshop_ValidationFailed"  "Validation failed. Item cannot be submitted."
    "DOTA_Workshop_ValidationSucceeded"  "Validation succeeded."
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Submission"    "Submissions (.zip files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Preview"    "Preview Images (.jpg files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Models"      "Models (.mdl files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Geometry"    "Geometry (.smd, .dmx, .fbx files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Animation"    "Animations (.smd, .dmx, .fbx files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Texture"    "Texture (.tga files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_File_Wearable"    "Wearable Model (.mdl files)"
    "DOTA_Workshop_HeroSelect"      "Select Hero"
    "DOTA_Workshop_NoHeroSelected"    "No hero selected"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SlotSelect"      "Select slot"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionTypeTitle"  "What are you publishing?"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Wearable"      "WEARABLE ITEM"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Wearable_Desc"  "Model geometry that attaches to a specific hero's base model."
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Courier"      "COURIER"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Courier_Desc"    "Two models with the animations required to operate in-game as a team's ground & flying courier."
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Ward"        "WARD"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Ward_Desc"    "A self-contained model with the animations required to operate in-game as an observer & sentry ward."
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Other"      "OTHER"
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Other_Desc"    "A submission that doesn't fit in any of the other submission types."

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Ready"        "Ready"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Optional"      "Optional"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Required"      "Required"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Required_Texture"  "Required (Textures will be resized to: %s1)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Required_Geometry"  "Required (Max Polygon count: %s1)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_NotRequired_Geometry" "(Max Polygon count: %s1)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_NotRequired_Texture"  "(Textures will be resized to: %s1)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_ItemName"      "OUTPUT FILENAME:"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_ItemName_Desc"    "This is the output filename for your item. It isn't seen by players, and must be less than 50 characters long."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_GenericModelName_Desc" "This is the name of your imported model. It isn't seen by players, and must be less than 50 characters long."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_UnknownLOD"      "UNKNOWN GEOMETRY FILE"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD0Title"      "OPTIONAL PORTRAIT GEOMETRY"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD0Desc"      "This is the .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX file that contains the higher resolution skinned geometry for your item. It will be used only in portrait views. If your item isn't highly visible in the hero's portrait, leave this blank and we'll use the in-game geometry instead."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD1Title"      "IN-GAME GEOMETRY"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD1Desc"      "This is the .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX file that contains the skinned geometry for your item. It will be used in-game."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Texture_Title"    "TEXTURE FILES"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Texture_Desc"    "This is the set of four .TGA files that combine to texture this geometry file. Browse and select any one of the _color, _normal, _mask1, or _mask2 .TGA files, and we'll look for the rest in the same directory."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Texturing"      "Texturing Help"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Modelling"      "Modelling Help"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation"      "Animation Help"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_DisableNICE"      "Disable Texture Filtering"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_DisableNICE_Desc"  "On some textures, the NICE filter we use can result in mipmaps that don't maintain some specific texture detail. If you see this happening with your textures, try turning this option on and see if the textures are more readable."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Reimport"      "Re-import"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Models_Title"    "Models"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Materials_Title"    "Materials"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachments_Title"  "Attachments"

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachments_Desc"  "Attachment points are points on the model that the game can use to position certain effects. Each attachment point has both a position and an angle, which it derives from a bone in your model. For each required attachment point, specify the bone name. Once we've built your imported model, the preview will show you the attachment point so you can verify its position."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachments_UIBlock"  "Attachments %s1"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachment_HitLocation"    "Hit Location Bone name"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachment_HitLocation_Desc"  "Specifies where on the model that incoming enemy projectiles should travel to. A good position is above the center of the model, such as the center of the head in a humanoid."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachment_LeftEye"      "Left Eye Bone name"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachment_LeftEye_Desc"    "Specifies where on the model to place Unusual particle effects intended for the Left Eye of a creature."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachment_RightEye"      "Right Eye Bone name"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Attachment_RightEye_Desc"    "Specifies where on the model to place Unusual particle effects intended for the Right Eye of a creature."

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_Title"    "ANIMATIONS"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_Desc"    "Animations are .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX files, each containing a single animation for your model."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_UIBlock"  "Animations %s1"

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Preview_Anim"    "Animation:"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Preview_Skin"    "Texture:"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Preview_Attachment"  "Highlight Attachment:"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Preview_NoAttachment" "None"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Preview_ShowReference" "Show Reference Model"

    "DOTA_ItemTest_ImportError_Validation"  "Validation Failed"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Error_TooManyBones"    "%s1 contains more bones than are allowed.nModels cannot contain more than 52 bones."

    "DOTA_ItemTest_ImportError"      "Texture File Error!"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Error_TextureNameA"  "Cannot recognise the chosen .TGA file name. Textures must end with one of the following suffixes: _color, _normal, _mask1, _mask2"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Error_TextureNameB"  "Cannot find a matching .TGA file with the following suffix:n %s1"

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Error"        "Import Error"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Error_Unskinned"    "Couldn't find any bones in the wearable that correspond to bones in the hero model. Wearable items must be skinned to the hero's bones to be submitted."

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Quicksave_Fail"    "Save Failed"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Quicksave_Fail_Desc"  "Failed to save import state at dota/scripts/quicksave.txt"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Quickload_Fail"    "Load Failed"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Quickload_Fail_Desc"  "Failed to load: save file not found at dota/scripts/quicksave.txt"

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Import"        "IMPORT"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Importing"      "IMPORTING"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Import_Success"    "IMPORT SUCCESSFUL"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Import_Failed"    "IMPORT FAILED"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_OutOfBudget"      "%s1 is outside polygon budget:n   %s2 contains %s3 triangles, when the budget only allows %s4."

    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Courier_ImportDesc"  "Couriers require two models, one for their ground version and one for their upgraded flying version. The two models share the same 512x512 material."
    "DOTA_Workshop_SubmissionType_Ward_ImportDesc"    "Wards require a single model, but two separate materials. The first material is used for the observer ward, and the second for the sentry."

    "DOTA_Workshop_Courier_BaseModel"  "Ground"
    "DOTA_Workshop_Courier_FlyingModel"  "Flying"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD0Desc_Courier"  "This is the .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX file that contains the higher resolution skinned geometry for your courier. It will be used only in portrait views. If your courier doesn't need it, leave this blank and we'll use the in-game geometry instead."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD1Desc_Courier"  "This is the .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX file that contains the skinned geometry for your item. It will be used in-game."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Mat0Desc_Courier"  "This is the set of four .TGA files that combine to texture both geometry files. Browse and select any one of the _color, _normal, _mask1, or _mask2 .TGA files, and we'll look for the rest in the same directory."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_SharedMats_Courier"  "The Flying Courier model will use the texture file specified in the Ground Courier model."

    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD0Title_Ward"    "PORTRAIT GEOMETRY"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD0Desc_Ward"    "This is the .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX file that contains the higher resolution skinned geometry for your ward. It will be used only in portrait views."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD1Title_Ward"    "IN-GAME GEOMETRY"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_LOD1Desc_Ward"    "This is the .DMX, .SMD, or .FBX file that contains the skinned geometry for your item. It will be used in-game."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Mat0Title_Ward"    "OBSERVER TEXTURE FILES"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Mat0Desc_Ward"    "This is the _color .TGA file that textures the geometry files as an Observer Ward. _normal, _mask1, and _mask2 .TGA files are optional for Wards. If we find them in the same directory, we'll use them."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Mat1Title_Ward"    "SENTRY TEXTURE FILES"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Mat1Desc_Ward"    "This is the _color .TGA file that textures the geometry files as a Sentry Ward. _normal, _mask1, and _mask2 .TGA files are optional for Wards. If we find them in the same directory, we'll use them."

    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_Spawn"    "SPAWN"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_Idle"    "IDLE"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_Run"    "RUN"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_Die"    "DIE"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_IdleRare"  "RARE IDLE (optional)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_RunRare"  "RARE RUN (optional)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_TurnPoseCenter"    "TURN POSE CENTER (optional)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_TurnPoseLeft"      "TURN POSE LEFT (optional)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_TurnPoseRight"      "TURN POSE RIGHT (optional)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_TurnPoseCenter_Desc"  "A single frame pose of the courier facing forward. Generally you can simply re-use frame 0 of the run animation. If set, you will need to provide Left and Right turn poses."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_TurnPoseLeft_Desc"    "A single frame pose of the courier turning left. As the courier turns left, we'll blend between this pose and the Center pose. If set, you will need to provide Center and Right turn poses."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_TurnPoseRight_Desc"  "A single frame pose of the courier turning right. As the courier turns right, we'll blend between this pose and the Center pose. If set, you will need to provide Center and Left turn poses."
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_PortraitIdle"  "PORTRAIT IDLE (optional)"
    "DOTA_ItemTest_Animation_PortraitRare"  "RARE PORTRAIT IDLE (optional)"

    "DOTA_Workshop_AddWearable"      "ADD / REMOVE WEARABLES"
    "DOTA_Workshop_Add"          "ADD"
    "DOTA_Workshop_Remove"        "REMOVE"
    "DOTA_Workshop_Change"        "CHANGE"

Unreleased Hero Update

We also have a couple of updates for the unreleased heroes.

Troll Warlord

Troll Warlord now has a number of new icons and has been recoloured with a red based gradient.

Ability Icons

Portrait Card Icon

Hero Icon

Minimap Icon

Tusk

Tusk now has a model for his Sigil.

Unreleased UI Updates

More updates to the unreleased guide UI in this patch.

In Game Guide System

Progress continues on the unreleased in game guide system, the skills tab and items tab are now being populated from the test guide.

Potential guide writers will also be able to add extra text for that specific skill and/or item choice, which will be displayed when hovering over the item.

Unreleased Cosmetic Items

We have some more unreleased cosmetic items for Pudge in this week’s patch.

Pudge’s Items

Updated Sound Files

The Bastion announcer has been updated with some new voice work.

Bastion Announcer

announcer_disconnect_disconnected_02.mp3:
announcer_disconnect_disconnected_03.mp3:
announcer_disconnect_reconnected_02.mp3:
announcer_disconnect_reconnected_03.mp3:
announcer_followup_respawn_04.mp3:
announcer_followup_respawn_05.mp3:
announcer_followup_respawn_06.mp3:
announcer_pick_bristleback_02.mp3 (Bristlebog):
announcer_pick_doom.mp3:
announcer_text_b_02.mp3:
announcer_text_jungle_02.mp3:
announcer_type_all_pick_02.mp3:
announcer_type_all_pick_03.mp3:
announcer_type_capt_mode_reverse.mp3:
announcer_type_mid_only.mp3:
announcer_type_other_mode.mp3:

Materials Update

Skywrath Mage’s Materials

Troll Warlord’s Materials

Tusk’s Materials

Particles Update

Tusk’s Particles

Predictions For The Next Hero

Anniversary Giveaway

A big thanks to every one that tuned into the live stream where I gave a whole bunch of items out, for those of you who missed it – don’t worry! Tomorrow there will be an extra blog post put up with some more items to give away as well as the unveiling of Mr. Shagbark.

PS: Big shoutout to the guys over at Dota 2 Traders for helping out with some of the giveaway items.

Posted in Content Analysis, Dota 2

Tako_Vengador

yay ty matt!
ben

hi
Guy

woot
Nioubis

Gratz for 1 year of blog keep it up Matt!
http://www.facebook.com/brontothunder Benjamin Retter

Congrats on the year of amazing content, Matt
Илья Елисеев

good job,Matt!
disasta

i love this new mode :d
Mitko1239

Good Job!
sH0

trolololo trololo
anon

“Obsidian Demolish”

… this is a fucking joke right?
- TheVanarch
  
  It’s Outworld Demolisher.
- quirkky
  
  Read carefully.
- nikos9321
  
  Well, it’s still OD to me
anon

that naga bra bullshit better just be for censored crapholes like China.
Sicknessyara

first
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1173108726 Alonso Morales Olivera

NICEEEE!!! good work!!!
http://twitter.com/CommunistKing Joey St. Billy Von

1 Pound Fish.
http://twitter.com/diggtrap Peiul

OILSEEKER FTW
- lmao
  
  lmao.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=874150525 Karam Eid
  
  so he’s confirmed to be working for the US government!
- Irrelevante
  
  That still makes some sort of sense. The hell is up with pudge hookin’ and cleavin’ oil?
  
  News flash, pudge. You can’t chop liquids.
- http://twitter.com/Deity_Link Deity Link
  
  Something about your twitter picture feels awfully familiar.
  - http://twitter.com/diggtrap Peiul
    
    This is awkward.
- Tempest
  
  I think that the new icons is for the chinese market, if i remember correct doesn’t allow blood or skeletons in games something like that. In wow blizzard did the same thing changing models for skeletons and stuff
  - http://twitter.com/PuroYO Puro
    
    In China violence is ok, but violence with blood is bad, makes perfect sense right?
    - http://twitter.com/diggtrap Peiul
      
      Anything on the world makes sense when blood is black.
      And yeah, these “alternate” features are more likely to be only for the Chinese Dota 2. They don’t allow skulls/skeletons and blood.
    - shadow
      
      in america violence and blood is ok, but not if one of them is nude, makes perfect sense right?
Havocked

Thanks cyborg
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000968180569 Talgat Sultanov

nice job
Anon

WTF doesn’t demolisher sound stupid?…and previous ability icons look better IMO…Troll warlord looks nice in yellow though.
- :(
  
  If troll worlord is red Valve might probably think he looks too much like axe and change him to purple after a few months.
  - Cymen
    
    He would look too much like Dazzle then. Bright yellow is the ONLY WAY.
- KilluaYoukai
  
  Btw, the light flashing is the speed at which Troll Warlord bashes people with his ult and passive.
3than

I lol’d at necrolyte’s alt icon… but srsly, the skill itself is a BURST OF SKULLS, what does the icon matter?
Bedlam

Please change to almost literally anything other than “Demolisher”. That’s some seriously stupid shit. He’s not a construction vehicle

Also what’s taking them so long to change Windrunner’s name? We all know it’s coming. Hopefully it will be something reasonably sane and not “Gustdash” or “Windjog”
- Thomas Price
  
  “Devourer” seemed a popular choice on reddit, and honestly I think it fits pretty well.
  - http://www.facebook.com/BadrShaheen Badr Shaheen
    
    devourer seriously?……………. OD doesnt eat people
    - a
      
      He devours minds.
      - JustinBiestmaster
        
        He devours mid.
    - Dusk
      
      How about Desecrator?
    - TheVanarch
      
      He consumes entire worlds dude…
  - neko-san
    
    wish granted.outworld devourer it is. http://www.dota2wiki.com/wiki/Outworld_Devourer
    - lole
      
      Thank god.
  - hdj
    
    Outworld Mindbreaker? ._.
  - capawesome
    
    Should have been changed to “Douchebag”.
  - bob
    
    too bad reddit is a massive pile a shit
- juru
  
  ^this… I didnt like these name changes they have been doing come on the words: shredder and destroyer cant be under copyright they are NOUNS… and come on demolisher really look like hes some kind of giant that destroys everything with his punches and stomps lol
  - Zaderson
    
    Obsidian Destroyer was acquired from Warcraft III Unit. That’s why they change it.
    - no
      
      Outworld Destroyer is not owned by Blizzard on the other hand so what you’re saying makes no sense Zaderson
      - capawesome
        
        “Destroyer” still leads to it being too close to Obsidian Destroyer. So changing the last part of his name helps keep Valve out of copyright trouble with Blizzard.
      - Zaderson
        
        Read properly before you makes a joke! What I mean is Obsidian not Outworld. They would afraid to have a name with such similar name with THAT Warcraft III’s Obsidian Destroyer.
        
        And yes, OUTWORLD Destroyer is not owned by Blizzard. But, Obsidian Destroyer did. Let me ask you, what is the born name of OD? Isn’t it Obsidian Destroyer? In these 2 names, they are similar to each other. It still sounds like copy the name. Dude, if I made no sense. You makes sense?
- theprofessorr
  
  well it would be great if the original name was given back “alleria”. they should change her name to sylvannisthecocksuckinggingerwindrunner. blizzard can’t sue that.
- Dj
  
  The best was ‘Obsidian Destroyer’ … Same like Buriza-do-kyanon, Lothar.
- http://www.facebook.com/daniellorenzo.lambino Daniel Lorenzo Lambino
  
  whatever Valve wants to name OD, it doesn’t matter since its just a name.
  it can be Obsidian Douchebag, for all i care.
Toastedyogurt

>old radiaint melee creep
Klaus Holder

Awesome live stream. Thanks!
No1Known

Good Job!! Best Blog ever
Anon

WTF IS WITH ALL THE CENSORSHIP!!! blood and skulls and nude naga all gone ((((((

…as if dota should be played by kids.
- TinyTerror
  
  Well, dota 2 looks like its gunna be big, and with it being f2p on release, almost everyone on steam will own it. I think its cool that valve made alternate icons. There not required, there will probably be an option in the menu to have censorship. Its not that big of a deal.
  - The same Anon
    
    Ohh, didn’t know they were alt icons…sorry about that, thanks for clearing that up.
- Anon
  
  I’m pretty sure all that crap is just for China. Those of us who live in relatively sane countries shouldn’t be affected.
  - TheVanarch
    
    I’m pretty sure it’s just the government that enforced these laws. The people aren’t as retarded as that.
  - quirkky
    
    Define sane countries. There aren’t any.
    - http://twitter.com/PuroYO Puro
      
      Norway.
      - ezeus
        
        Yeah, norway isn’t the place that has occurred a great deal of people going crazy and going on rampages.
      - capawesome
        
        Inbreeding.
      - Aiacos
        
        Norway are sooo sane, they are insane
- Sarg
  
  It’s for DotA 2 being released in China, and is required by law if it wants to be released there.
- LOL sucks
  
  kids of this world have LOL for playing, dota 2 should have 18 rating and have all the tits and blood in it
Joysma

Dude, what’s with the new icons? What else are they going to remove? The blood effect from Phantom Assassin’s ultimate, or remove the blood altogether?
w00kiez

me code ?
Anon

Most of the alt icons are either for or in preparation of the Chinese release of Dota 2, given that depictions of blood, nudity, skulls/other bones are all illegal there.
ShadowRaze

Does anyone know wtf the prediction means??!
- jizzonmypants
  
  he means troll
  * flies away
V

Just for those who don’t realize, the icons are likely for the Chinese release. In Asia, it is either illegal or it bumps a game’s rating up to nc-17 to have images of blood and death, (such as skulls), in any game. The same thing happened in League of Legends, where a hero’s entire artwork had to be redone.

On a side note, Outworld Demolisher is dumb, and they should change it back. Blizzard does not hold a copyright on the word ‘destroyer’. >_>
- belgh
  
  But they DO on “Outworld Destroyer”. So one word has to go. Outworld Devastator would be cool
  - Ritaj
    
    It was Obsidian Destroyer there, so… No.
- TheVanarch
  
  Pretty sure it’s just China and their weird laws. Korea, Japan & South-east Asia don’t have to deal with that crap.
- Midas
  
  I think it’s more about Germany where censorship does not allow you to show blood and you cannot kill people (in plenty FPS people were replaced with robots).
  - Cymen
    
    That hasn’t been done since the 90′s lol
    
    We get almost all games. Some are consored like L4D2 but only very few are banned like AvP and MK9. But yeah, you cannot show mass-murder on people in Germany like the airport scene in MW2 etc
    - http://twitter.com/PuroYO Puro
      
      You can’t show mass-murder in Germany and yet.. what about the Nazi half-genocide of the Jews during WWII?
      I’ve been to Germany and I’ve been to several concentration camps and seen for myself how and where it was done, and trust me, there was a LOT of blood on the pictures.
      Talk about hypocrisy.
      - thL
        
        What the fucks your problem? Especially _because_ of our history there are many that scream “oh my god, violence in video games” and try to censor the shit out of us. That’s not hypocritical at all. And there’s a difference between showing you what the Nazis did as harsh as possible for learning-of-our-history purposes and Video games.
        How the fuck did you even make up that comparison?
      - http://twitter.com/googhahss Gustavo Silva
        
        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin's_law
        
        it never fails
      - Never
        
        Come one, come all!
        Watch the mystical firestarter burn his hands!
      - Softshellcrab
        
        Seriously, man? Did you really just say that? Do you honestly expect Germany to still be like that? “So how come americans don’t enslave black people anymore? What happened to the spanish people, when did they stop killing mayas? Talk about hypocrisy, man!”
      - Some People
        
        SRSLY. Newsflash.
        
        “Germany is incredibly intolerant of any kind of Neo-Nazism and is ashamed of what happened. Genocidal ideas had been flung around Europe for years before the War, and indeed many in Britain hated Jewish people, .”
        
        Your ignorance hurts so bad, I feel like I just got winded.
      - fox
        
        who gives a crap abut ww2? shit happened i dont care about jews or whatever look in history ppl like mao stalin eg murdered way more who cares there will be always war and stuff cuz of idiot ppl thinking its right to do so look what the jews do to palestine nothing different or the american with the nukes they bombed hiroshima and they still suffer under it and noone cares and i couldnt care less someone calling me nazi cuz im german ppl are ignorand doesent matter where from they all just look to blame others for whatever they did in whatever century to have ppl not look on their own shit they did thats all. and as long money can be made out of war there will always be some anywhere. and lets face it the ppl are giving gouverments the power to do it.
        
        but back on topic since its about a patch and not crime history of nations.
        
        i also guess the icon and naga changes are only fo china but as far it goes with od as demolisher dun like it either lol but i guess valve has to have some reasons to put it like that so idk if even they want to keep it they cant not sure how far blizzards rights are going along with it.
        
        gotta see about the crep one i think its may a bit to bright maybe ned to see it in game tough
        
        and hell i hope theyll put in the chicken cur some time soon its just awsome
  - http://www.facebook.com/Pathrazer Daniel Wrz
    
    It is kind of complicated, so I will explain it in-depth:
    
    In Germany we do not have censorship. Blood is fine, bodies are fine all kinds of violence are fine but there is a seriously messed up twist to this that I dislike very much:
    
    A game can be rated to be free for ages 0, 6, 12, 16 or 18.
    
    If a game does not even make an USK 18 rating, it will go to the “index”. A game on the index cannot be marketed but sold and bought by anyone over the age of 18.
    
    If a game does not get an USK 18 rating, the most likely thing for the publisher to do is to either cut some nasty parts out (like removing ragdoll physics or executions) or plain not releasing the game in Germany at all, since it won’t sell without sufficient marketing. [Marketing includes displaying a game on the shelves. You would have to ask for it in the store.]
    
    So some games come to us in a “low violence version” which is cut, but usually VERY slightly. Guts won’t spill, heads won’t fly, massacred bodies won’t stay but rather vanish shortly after their digital death, etc
    
    The average game is not cut at all. I will give you some examples of games that were not cut by their publishers: The Crysis series, Call of Duty 4, the Assassin’s Creed Series(!), the Darksiders series, etc…
    
    So publishers cutting their games to get a lower rating happens, but is usually very limited and does not cover anything but excessive(!) violence (any kind of sex, drugs, etc are for example cool with us).
    
    Your reference comes from the early 90′s. The German USK has become way more reasonable since then. Also how they test and why a game gets a certain seal is public. Everyone can look into the “rules” and processes used by them for assessing a game.
    
    To me it is really important to explain exactly WHAT kind of violence it is the USK does not like in particular:
    
    I: Violence that is displayed in a realistic way (so any kind of comic-style graphics is always cool, also fantasy settings and other non-realistic scenarios can have all the violence they want, e.g., Crysis)
    
    II: Violence being used by a character for pleasure or for personal gain only
    
    III: Violence against children and other unarmed/harmless people (e.g., the airport part of MW 2 was over the top, so you can’t shoot in it in the German version)
    
    If these criteria are not met, you can do everything in a game. AC is fine since it has a fictional universe and the protagonist kills for sth else than pure personal gain. Dota 2 and Darksiders have a comic look, so they are fine, etc…
    
    Excuse me for some repetitions and mistakes I may have made. I have never explained the system used to anyone and English is not my first language.
    
    Edit: I realize that the way in which this text is written is sub-par, but I’m not in the mood to completely rewrite it just for an internet argument. I just hope that someone now knows sth more
    
    tl,dr: Midas has to get some facts straight.
    - Midas
      
      Yeah, but I remember when EU version of LoL (embarassed to admit I played it) had all blood censored into black mud because of German censorship for like almost a year after release of it (yet they get rid off it, IDK if it’s somehow IP implemented or just said goodbye to low-rating).
      - http://www.facebook.com/Pathrazer Daniel Wrz
        
        I played LoL since it was in beta (and guess what, I am German) and there was never ever such a thing as censored blood. Not in the beta, not after LoL’s release… never.
        
        If I had to guess, LoL would be a USK 12 but it would be closer to 6 than 16
        
        Online only games such as LoL that are download only/f2p are not even tested or rated at all by our USK… [Check it, LoL does not have an USK rating until this very day. It does not concern the USK since it is a download title which means that it won't be in stores anyway and parents are responsible for what they allow their children to play.]
      - Midas
        
        Hmm… What’s interesting, LoL did same thing with icons as Dota above in latest patch… WTF is this trend?! Also if you cannot recall it, you had to play on US servers, cause when LoL-EU was released, all blood was black and there was no splat-animation after hitting creeps. Even Vlad was throwing black poop instead red blood.
      - http://www.facebook.com/Pathrazer Daniel Wrz
        
        I am ashamed to admit that you are right after all. LoL did in fact have a censored version once, but my comment on the matter is still kind of valid. At least the reasons I give why LoL is not subject to our USK, and why it would be fine even if it was, are correct.
        
        The icons are easy to explain though. These changes are done in a lot of games for the Chinese market. World of Warcraft, LoL and numerous other (mainly online) games need to have blood, skulls and other bones removed to be admitted onto the Chinese market. E.g., the undead in WoW have open wounds in the US/EU version of the game while their chinese counterparts have no wounds at all and no showing bones, etc… There is some kind of cultural motivation to this (defiling the dead?). You can look it up on Wikipedia as I don’t remember the details.
        
        In the end I just wanted to paint a more accurate picture of how “youth protection” works in Germany. While reading through my posts again, I recognized a certain underlying tone of hostility towards you that is/was not intentional.
        
        Have fun in Dota 2
- Timelimit
  
  So Sven committing mass murder repeatedly is fine, but at the slightest sign of a red liquid everything must be censored?
  
  I’m sorry, but I feel my IQ slowly dying as I think about this.
Rhinomantaur

New patch is looking great! Thanks for the steady stream of updates for the past year. Quality stuff, every time
Guest

Did they seriously fucking rename Bristleback to Bristle…bog? What? What the fuck does that even mean, man?
- divine_dive
  
  2 words: outworld demolisher
- http://twitter.com/hesitant_blade Mark P
  
  Pretty sure it’s BristleBug. Which is kinda cool in my eyes. If Rigwarl was an insect a la nyx.
- Outworld Demolisher
  
  No, I’m pretty sure it’s just a Bastion reference -> maybe an enemy in Bastion. The announcer is quirky and fun in that way
ShadowRaze

Da fuck does the hero prediction mean?
- propagate11235
  
  Troll face = troll warlord
  - agai
    
    flash flash = bash bash
    - http://www.facebook.com/hector.olivieres.3 Hector Olivieres
      
      tea cup = first blood
Beijingman

yeah i’m a Chinese and i think they should remake skeleton king because he is all skulls and bones. Maybe put a robe on queen of pain. Maybe change brewmaster into a panda. Maybe replace the valve icon with a Chinese flag. Yeah, that’s what i really think. I mean, really, no kidding no joking, not funny.
- thyL
  
  If you are Chinese, can you explain why Skeletons are so… frowned upon in China? What’s the reasoning behind it?
  - Beijingman himself
    
    I dont know lol. Go ask our goverment.
Suru

PLEASE TELL MY YOU ARE KIDDING WITH OD
JV

Ty for all the updates, really gj but cmon, bring techies in, the dota fans want to have some of dat fun =(
http://twitter.com/Typhox Typhox Lugyacci

Demolisher… So suck
http://www.facebook.com/Ixipixi Sami Mäkinen

Your prediction for the next hero is subtle.
Artigus

Does anyone know who the next hero is? I dont get Matt’s Prediction.
- cra0
  
  troll
brutallin

Happy Birthday to your blog, Matt, thanks for all that work you did through this year! And wish you to improve and develop!
Evan Yap

-1 to naga siren’s boob censor
- lotrein
  
  these are for chinise client only.
420MLGBIGULTS

Outworld Demolisher is dumb, Bristlebog is dumb and red Troll Warlord is also dumb.

Is Blizzard trying to sue or something?
http://www.facebook.com/peupina Pedro Pina

I miss Abaddon! =/
Does anyone know why it is not being developed?
And will Tusk and Troll come in time for the end of The Defense?

Good job Matt! You are great!
- parrot
  
  he will be called Armordon, Lord of Apples and riding pink pony, cos thats what Valve doing right now
Psixi

where is blood? where is sculls? we are kids?
TheRECRU|T

spectre and axe good, ursa perfect others bad necrolyte terrible rupture(bloodseeker) terrible
никита белоусов

thank you very much for your cyborgmatt blog and your work
Clive Bot

Next patch, Bounty Hunter will be known as Money Hunter and Nature’s Prophet will be known as Nature’s Profit.
Ashteron

Can’t wait to see censored Skeleton King.
Midas

Lol… I’ve noticed pretty weird thing – they removed all blood and so on in those censored icons, but also mouth are missing from some! (like lich or forged spirits) WTF!? Does law not allow to show mouth?
- http://twitter.com/diggtrap Peiul
  
  Skulls*, and its only for China.
  - Midas
    
    I do get it’s for China, but the only thing that could got in my mind, is that skulls are resembling something in chineese beliefs (most popular ones, though there are plenty of atheists because of communism) and may be connected with some meaning, which government wants to dodge.
Hate My Comment, Slave

First “Timbersaw”, then “Doom” now “Outworld Demolisher” ?????? WHAT THE F*UCK IS THIS????? They no only treat fanbase like shit but their own heroes?

Well it was nice to know you guys and stuff, good luck with your LoL2… ow i mean Dota2.
- http://www.facebook.com/hector.olivieres.3 Hector Olivieres
  
  1 less ignoramus. kthnxbai
Yun Wu Sei

Ow yea, i will be sure to share original files so our chinese brothers can replace this censored bullshit
Finger4ik

giveaway /
http://twitter.com/JOKERdota2 JOKER

They will add 2 heroes for the next week , i hope so
PeterPan

i want troll warlord!
zacbak

nice Update and nice new thing x)
mohamadezio

ببخشید من درست نفهمیدم . منظور شما این است به کسانی که ایتم ندارند ایتم می دهد؟
mohamadezio

Sorry I just do not understand. You may order this item does not have those items?
Jennifer Gawlan

the old naga was PERFECT. Loved every single bit of it. But now they decided to ruin it again with the bra; sigh
- http://twitter.com/MaruhaiFR Maruhai
  
  The Bra one is ALTERNATIVE, not NEW. It will primarly be used for the China version as they don’t allow any kind of suggestive nudity.
ShadowRaze

Does anyone know Wtf the Hero Prediction means?
d

jeez youre going to give people seizures trolling does have its limits you know -.- asswad
http://twitter.com/diggtrap Peiul

THEY CHANGED HIS NAME OTHER AGAIN, ITS OUTWORLD DEVOURER NOW.
poop

outhouse distillery
http://www.facebook.com/sliferstrike Ashri Fathan

yeaaah trolll…!!!
Hobbax

Love the bird i will use it as a official avatar
Zaderson

Troll Warlord have a bad color from the concept.
Green will be nicer for normal state. When ultimate he only change to red color.
http://twitter.com/ReevoHGames ReevoH

Amazing content Cyborg! I’m subscribed for sure
theprofessorr

skywrath mage.. i mean, i love that valve is working on porting (new) heroes from dota 1 to dota 2, but.. but what about the heroes that existed before the newest heroes.. techies, pitlord, abaddon, techies, soul keeper, and did i mention techies? dota 2 is fun and all, but it has become so competitive as opposed to dota 1. i used to love trolling around with techies on APEM. mines mines mines BAM, laugh at their face. you die? well, you still laugh! i miss the trollable, casual dota. (disclaimer: not saying i dont like dota 2, i love dota 2, id suck dota 2′s dick if it had one)
dfdf

wtf red troll warlord????? Return to concept art troll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
morc1us

Outworld Overmage , Outworld Obsidian , Outworld Onyxdrake
Anon

outworld devourer ain’t that good either imo : Outworld deathbringer? Outworld ravager?
hell yeah :P

If would be a great idea if Valve creates “Auto Skill Build”. Which you make your own skill build then it automatically level up without even pressing. VERY useful while having a teamfight!
Techies

WHERE THE FUCK AM I?
Anon

Outworld Mindbreaker!!
static_sickness

Sweet lord Outworld Demolisher should be named HARBINGER!

Think about it.

Harbinger.
adad

Techies when?
AntoxaGray

Demolisher? He’s not even pusher or tower killer.
beb

What happened to the giveaway?
http://twitter.com/briandias2 Brian

hey, how i use the alternative icons ? ;x