Dota 2 30th January Patch – Content Analysis

This week’s Dota 2 patch has arrived bringing is an update on the back end VPK file structure resulting in faster, better, stronger Dota 2. Along with a number of other bits and bats. You can view the full changelog here.

Front End Changes

Hero Animation Updates

We have some minor hero animation updates in this week’s patch.

Troll Warlord’s Animations

Troll Warlord now has a set of “fast” animations for both his melee and ranged stance, which should improve his animation quality when he hits the attack speed cap.

Vengeful Spirits Animations

Vengeful Spirit has seen some minor animation work with an addition of a spawn animation.

Hero Portrait Updates

Some minor tweaks to Troll Warlord’s portraits.

Troll Warlord’s Portrait

New Portrait

Old Portrait

UI Updates

We have some updates to the Team UI in this week’s patch.

Team UI

In preparation for the unreleased Team matchmaking system, the team profiles now show a string for the team’s rank.

    "team_profile_rank"        "Current Rank: %s1"
    "team_profile_rank_probation"  "Determining Rank, %s1 more games needed"
									

The team search UI was also updated with an option to search through the empty teams (defaulted off).

New Cosmetic Store Items

We have some new cosmetic items sets and a new courier in this week’s patch.

Couriers

Cluckles the Brave

“Many critters can be trained to ferry tools into battle.  Few will do so while wearing a jetpack!”

Model Viewer Shots

Particle Effects

Death particle effect for the standard courier variant.

Jetpack flames for the flying version.

Death particles for the flying version, burnt chicken edition.

Anti-Mage’s Items

The Gifts of Yoskreth Set

Backpack Images

Model Viewer Shots

Chen’s Items

Arms of the Penitent Nomad Set

Backpack Images

Model Viewer Shots

Enchantress` Items

Blessings of the Wildwing Set

Backpack Images

Model Viewer Shots

Windrunner’s Items

Wings of the Gilded Falcon Set

“Quick as wings, light as feathers, golden as the sun; the wings of the guilded Falcon set is a tribute to a rare and deadly predator.”

Backpack Images

Model Viewer Shots

Other Changes

The “Wildkin” camp units have been renamed to “Wildwings”.

Back End Changes

Updated Strings

The strings for the upcoming tutorial system continue to roll in.

    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_StashBuyRing"    "While we're at it, a little more armor would be good so why not buy a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Ring of Protection</b></font>. Armor reduces damage from enemy's attacks."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_LevelSmoke"    "Hey Sniper, there's some smoke to the northeast.  Let's check it out!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_LevelBridgeOut"  "Spotted Tidehunter!  He must have taken out the bridge!nnDoesn't look like he's noticed us.  Let's stick to the plan."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_LevelGraveyard"  "Looks creepy in there."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_PullBegin"    "There's more nearby.nnTry shooting them to get their attention and <font color='#EE0000'><b>pull</b></font> them towards your creeps by running back here.  Your creeps can help take them out!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_RewardFree"    "We're free!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_Reward"      "Thanks Sniper!  They didn't take our gold, no doubt more concerned with lunch.  Here you go.  Take it as your reward."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_CourierBuyItem"  "With all that gold it might be a good idea to buy up some items.  Let's upgrade them!nnOpen the shop and purchase <font color='#EE0000'><b>Gloves of Haste</b></font> and a <font color='#EE0000'><b>Belt of Strength</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_CourierRetrieve"  "Remember our courier?  We can use him to grab the items from the stash and bring them to us here.  That way we don't need to return to base every time we buy something!nnClick the <font color='#EE0000'><b>Deliver Items</b></font> button in the bottom right to continue."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_CourierTravel"  "The courier has grabbed your items and has departed.  You can check on the status of the courier by looking at the mini map and see where he's at."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_BootsUpgraded"  "Nice!  Notice the items you purchased have automatically combined to create Power Treads.  These too are an active item.  You can toggle which stats they boost by activing them.  Try it now."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_LevelExperience"  "Notice the boots changing the attribute they boost as you toggle their state.nnTime to find more creeps so we can learn Assassinate.  Don't want to lose our chance to surprise Tidehunter!"
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_LevelUlt"      "Nicely done!  Level up and learn <font color='#EE0000'><b>Assassinate</b></font>."
    "DOTA_Tutorial_M2_KillTide"      "Tidehunter may still be lurking around.  Head to where we last spotted him, perhaps we can get a good shot off and finish him off!"

									

Poor Tidehunter.

    "DOTA_Quest_Assassinate"      "Assassinate Tidehunter"
									

Abaddon is now listed as an in game unit.

    "npc_dota_hero_abaddon"        "Abaddon"
									

Abaddon’s ability strings.

    //ABADDON
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_death_coil"          "Death Coil"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_death_coil_Description"    "Abaddon releases a coil of death that can damage an enemy unit or heal a friendly unit at the cost of some of Abaddon's health."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_death_coil_Lore"        ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_death_coil_target_damage"    "DAMAGE/HEAL:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_death_coil_self_damage"    "SELF DAMAGE:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_aphotic_shield"        "Aphotic Shield"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_aphotic_shield_Description"  "Summons dark energies around an ally unit, creating a shield that absorbs a set amount of damage before expiring. When the shield is destroyed it will burst and deal damage equal to the amount it absorbed to an area around it. Removes certain types of negative buffs and stuns on cast."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_aphotic_shield_Lore"      ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_aphotic_shield_duration"    "DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_aphotic_shield_damage_absorb"  "MAX DAMAGE ABSORBED:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_aphotic_shield_radius"    "BURST RADIUS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne"          "Frost Sword"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_Description"    "Abaddon strikes an enemy with chilling power on each attack, causing all units who attack the slowed enemy to gain increased movement speed, along with faster attack speed, for a limited time."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_Lore"        ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_debuff_duration"  "DEBUFF DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_buff_duration"  "BUFF DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_slow_pct"      "%MOVEMENT SLOW:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_attack_speed"    "ATTACK SPEED BONUS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_frostmourne_move_speed_pct"  "%MOVE SPEED BONUS:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time"        "Borrowed Time"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time_Description"  "When activated, most negative buffs will be removed and any damage you take will heal instead of damaging you. If the ability is not in cooldown, it will passively activate when your hitpoints drop below a certain threshold.nnUpgradable by Aghanim's Scepter."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time_Lore"      ""
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time_hp_threshold"  "HP THRESHOLD:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time_duration"    "DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time_duration_scepter"    "SCEPTER DURATION:"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_ability_abaddon_borrowed_time_aghanim_description"  "Increases duration."
									

Abaddon’s tooltip modifiers.

    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_borrowed_time"          "Borrowed Time"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_borrowed_time_Description"    "All damage taken by Abaddon heals him instead."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_aphotic_shield"          "Aphotic Shield"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_aphotic_shield_Description"    "Absorbing damage; upon absorbing the max damage, explodes and deals damage in an area."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_frostmourne_debuff"        "Frost Sword"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_frostmourne_debuff_Description"  "Slowed by %dMODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BONUS_PERCENTAGE%%%.  All attacking units gain bonus attack and movement speed."
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_frostmourne_buff"        "Frost Sword"
    "DOTA_Tooltip_modifier_abaddon_frostmourne_buff_Description"  "Gaining %dMODIFIER_PROPERTY_MOVESPEED_BONUS_PERCENTAGE%%% movement speed, and %MODIFIER_PROPERTY_ATTACKSPEED_BONUS_CONSTANT% attack speed."
									

Strings for the upcoming team ranking system.

    "team_profile_rank"        "Current Rank: %s1"
    "team_profile_rank_probation"  "Determining Rank, %s1 more games needed"
									

More string updates for the unreleased in game guide system.

    "DOTA_UI_default_build_description"  "This build contains basic item recommendations for %s1."

    "DOTA_UI_scratch_build_for"      "%s (Scratch)"
    "DOTA_UI_scratch_build_description"  "This is a draft build from your Steam Cloud."
    "DOTA_UI_no_skills_in_build"    "This build does not contain skill recommendations."
    "DOTA_UI_guide_header_draft"  "YOUR %s1 DRAFT BUILDS"
    "DOTA_UI_guide_header_subs"    "YOUR PINNED %s1 BUILDS"
    "DOTA_UI_guide_header_top"    "RECOMMENDED %s1 BUILDS"  
    "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_check_out_builds"    "Try out a Hero Build"

    "DOTA_UI_check_out_builds_desc"  "Hero Builds recommend items and skills for your chosen hero."
									

Strings for the updated performance bar system (which now goes up to 10).

    "dota_pb_title"                        "PERFORMANCE"
    "dota_pb_description"                    "Your performance bar shows how well you've played each hero relative to your other heroes."
    "pb_area_0"                          "1"
    "pb_area_1"                          "2"
    "pb_area_2"                          "3"
    "pb_area_3"                          "4"
    "pb_area_4"                          "5"
    "pb_area_5"                          "6"
    "pb_area_6"                          "7"
    "pb_area_7"                          "8"
    "pb_area_8"                          "9"
    "pb_area_9"                          "10"
    "pb_desc"                          "Four games are needed to establish a performance rating.  Your ratings will become more accurate the more you play."
									

Strings for the unreleased team matchmaking system, gathering team options etc.

    "DOTA_InvitedToPartyForTeam"                  "%s1 has invited you to a party for a team match."

    "DOTA_InvitedToPartyHeader"                    "Party Invitation"
    "DOTA_InvitedToPartyForTeamHeader"                "Team Matchmaking Invitation"

    "DOTA_TeamMatchmake_InviteGatherTeamDisc"            "Press the “GATHER TEAM” button below to invite your team members to queue up in a Team Matchmaking game."
    "DOTA_TeamMatchmake_InviteGatherTeam_NoTeam"          "Team Matchmaking"
    "DOTA_TeamMatchmake_InviteGatherTeamDisc_NoTeam"        "When you're part of a complete team, you can use this page to play Team Matchmaking games.  You can create a team in the “COMMUNITY” tab under the MY TEAM area."
    "DOTA_TeamMatchmake_InviteGatherTeam_InvalidTeam"        "Team Matchmaking"
    "DOTA_TeamMatchmake_InviteGatherTeamDisc_InvalidTeam"      "When you're part of a complete team, you can use this page to play Team Matchmaking games."
									

Unreleased UI Updates

More updates to the unreleased in game guide UI.

In Game Guide UI

The unreleased in game guide system will now alert players the first time they jump into the game, suggesting that they try out a hero build.

Elder Titan

A wild texture has appeared in the files, currently it’s under the “root\materials\models\heroes\elder_titan” folder, although that doesn’t confirm that he is a hero as the shopkeeper etc also reside in the same folder.

New Treasure Chests

We have a number of new treasure chests in this week’s patch.

The three hero chests also have a chance of unboxing either a Radiant or Dire HUD skin.

Kunkka’s Treasure Chest

Treasure of the Restless Seas

Loot List

Strange versions of the following items:

• Pride of the Crew
• Royal Admiral’s Bicorne
• Grand Curls of the Admirable Admiral
• Sword of the Admirable Admiral
• Sword of the Seventy-Seven Seas
• Raw Hide
• Wheel of Fortitude
• Excavator’s Decorated Treasure
• Hammer Time

Omniknight’s Treasure Chest

Treasure of the Omniscient

Loot List

Strange versions of the following items:

• Omniscient’s Maul
• Hammer of Light Inexorable
• Helm of the Radiant Crusader
• Warhammer of Renewed Faith
• Ornate Mantle of Renewed Faith
• Hammer of Enlightenment
• Hammer of Holy Words
• Cape of Thunderwrath’s Calling

Morphling’s Treasure Chest

Treasure of Tidal Power

Loot List

Strange versions of the following items:

• Birot’s Crests of Dignity
• Direstone Pauldrons
• Direstone Crown
• Shoulders of the Comet’s Tail
• Crown of Polymorphia
• Birot’s Helm of Dignity
• Crown of the Comet’s Tail

Treasure of the Forbidden Lotus

“A strange and fragrant chest. The lock is of an unknown design and the contents are currently a mystery.”

Loot List

Unreleased HUD Skins

The HUD Skins now have backpack images and will most likely be arriving in the store sometime in the near future.

Dire HUD

Radiant HUD

Diretide HUD

Frostivus HUD

Unreleased Custom Wards

With cosmetic ward submissions added to the Dota 2 workshop we are now starting to see some more custom cosmetic wards.

Warlock’s Ward

Particle Effects

Workshop Image

Unreleased Cosmetic Items

We have a number of unreleased cosmetic items in this week’s patch.

Please remember there is no guarantee that these items will make it into the game.

Broodmother’s Items

Crystal Maiden’s Items

Dazzle’s Items

Enchantress` Items

Faceless Void’s Items

Lone Druid’s Items

Hood

Set 01

Set 02

Naga Siren’s Items

Set 01

Set 02

Outworld Devourer’s Items

Phantom Lancer’s Items

Pudge’s Items

Queen of Pain’s Items

Silencer’s Items

This set is currently in Dragon Knight’s Silencer’s  old colours.

Purple version mock up.

Sand King’s Items

Slardar’s Items

Templar Assassin’s Items

Set 01

Headband

Tidehunter’s Items

Materials Update

Tusk’s Materials

Particles Update

Tusk’s Particles

 

Predictions For The Next Hero

 

• Previous Entry: Dota 2 23rd January Patch – Content Analysis
• Next Entry: Dota 2 6th February Patch – Content Analysis