For the final two years Dota has been getting large, basic updates within the early Spring and this obtained us spoiled. After a drastic map dimension improve two years in the past and the Aspect replace final yr, we hope for one thing related in scope this yr as nicely, and at present, as a substitute of concentrating on minor stability points nonetheless current within the sport we want to dream massive and begin a dialog on what this yr’s updates may convey to Dota.
The Nice Confluence was teased for nearly six years at this level and the final consensus throughout the neighborhood on the time was that it alluded to the introduction of heroes from the Heroes of Newerth universe into Dota. This concept could be very… optimistic, however we’re dreaming massive at present, proper?
There are good causes to consider that it may realistically occur, although. IceFrog did work on HoN again within the day and it’s stuffed with fascinating designs that would work in Dota with minor changes.
There’s after all the issue of turn-rates and cast-points, which have been a lot sooner in HoN within the early 2010s, nevertheless it’s one thing that may be tweaked through the transition. Furthermore, Dota itself obtained considerably sooner over time and turn-rates have been steadily rising since 2015, culminating in a full hero pool flip charge buff again in 2021.
It’s not like Dota gamers are starved for brand new heroes, a minimum of not within the final yr, however when there are dozens of Dota-fitting designs already playtested in circumstances just like Dota, one has to marvel why a minimum of among the fan-favorites, like Puppet Grasp, didn’t make it into our favourite sport already.
Lastly, the explanation we even remembered concerning the Nice Confluence and the way it may very well be, theoretically, associated to Heroes of Newerth is that this very latest tweet. One thing is occurring with HoN universe and as a fan of it again within the day and a large fan of Dota at present, I do hope these two universes are going to get much more intently associated.
The overall talks concerning the Nice Confluence began with the introduction of Void Spirit into the sport, as it’s his voice strains that began teasing the idea. Dota has many alternative, fascinating storylines and since we obtained a really lore-focused Crownfall this yr, it’s maybe cheap to imagine that we’re going to get one thing related this yr.
Possibly “assume” is the incorrect phrase, “hope” might be extra apt, as Crownfall was good and we are able to’t get sufficient of lore-dumps, although we realise it was most likely lots of work to do, between all of the writing and all of the mini-games (no extra sand-fishing, although, please).
A Crownfall-style epic journey revolving across the Spirit Brothers might be the one we would like probably the most. All 4 heroes are persistently performed whatever the patch, as they’re simply too enjoyable to play in pubs, whereas having sturdy design identities to all the time discover themselves situationally viable within the skilled scene.
Arcanas for a minimum of among the Spirit Brothers are additionally long-overdue, with my private hope that we are going to see the return of the chubbier Storm Spirit from earlier than his beauty rework. One way or the other he feels significantly extra relatable to me personally.
We’ve talked about potential new beauty content material and potential new hero content material, however these are simply the spice on prime of what makes Dota nice. The rationale most of us love Dota is as a result of it’s an infinitely-replayable, deep and fascinating sport. That isn’t going anyplace and the meta retains evolving regardless of there being no massive patches for a protracted whereas.
Nevertheless, we wouldn’t thoughts one other massive shake-up. Naturally there may be nonetheless lots of work to be executed with the Aspect system. It’s nice, however the increased the extent of play will get, the extra cracks begin exhibiting: typically there’s a “good” and a “unreliable” side, versus them being situational and permitting for adaptation. Nonetheless, getting one thing that can essentially change the method to the sport, versus stability tweaks, is one thing we hope for this yr.
Right here lies the issue, although: Dota is already an extremely advanced and deep sport and altering its fundamentals is all the time going to be arduous. There are most likely a whole lot of assorted variables to tweak and techniques to transform, so guessing what Valve may very well be cooking is unlikely to yield correct outcomes.
So we’re going to ask you, the neighborhood, what concepts and modifications you want to see in Dota. Personally, some map modifications and a few extra factors of curiosity may very well be good, and, maybe, one thing may very well be executed about Impartial Camp blocking, since as a help participant I’m simply bored with continually paying the Sentry tax through the laning stage.
