Valve Teases Dota 2 Frostivus 2023 Event
As the action at ESL One Kuala Lumpur is heating up, Valve teased the release of the Frostivus 2023 event. The event will come along with three major changes. In the blog post Valve released, King Kringle, a mysterious figure whom Valve made up for Frostivus 2023, visits the Dota 2 world on Frostivus Eve. However, the last name of the mysterious figure is similar to the children's beloved Christmas figure, Santa Claus.
Along with him, he brings three gifts, which will change the game in some way. The tease could also indicate Valve’s intention to release the update tomorrow.
The Gifts
Similarly, in a Christmas tradition, Valve teased three major changes in an upcoming update. Valve also gave the players potential clues about the updates in an encrypted form, “sacks”. The three mentioned slacks were:
“A SACK OF GIFTS PRESENT, A SACK OF GIFTS PAST, A SACK OF GIFTS TAKEN (BUT OFTEN BROUGHT BACK).”
The First Sack
In the blog post, Valve mentioned the first sack is unknown to Dota 2 as the hint for the first sack was:
“THIS FIRST SACK OF GIFTS IS UNKNOWN TO THIS REALM:
THE NEMESIS CURSE, THE WHISPER OF DREAD,
THE MOONLIGHT TIARA, AND MUCH MORE”
Speculations started to run wild in the Dota 2 community about Valve’s motives. However, the most popular theory was the newly mentioned names must have a connection with the Dota 2 heroes’ theme.
The Second Sack
For the second sack, Valve hints at a change in stats for the in-game items in the upcoming update. The lines for the second sack:
“SOME GIFTS I'VE IMPROVED, AND SOME I'VE DERANGED.
ALL THAT NEED CONCERN YOU IS THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED.”
Additionally, the following three items are mentioned:
“ THE ORB OF CORROSION, ARCANE BOOTS, BLOODTHORN.”
THESE AND MORE I HAVE ALTERED SINCE LAST THEY WERE WORN.”
With the rise of heroes like Spectre and Slardar, items like Orb Of Corrosion and Bloodthorn are gaining popularity amongst players. Furthermore, Arcane Boots is a beloved item by support players. The hint could indicate that the patch focuses on the balance of the in-game items.
Here We Go Again
The sack includes some sad news for Dota 2 players as well, as it read:
“THE THIRD GIFT,
IS MY FAVORITE KIND... THE GIFT I TAKE BACK.”
The lines indicate the removal of some of the beloved neutral items. Moreover, Valve gave the names of neutral items which will get removed as the story continues:
"Not Ring of Aquila! Please not Titan Sliver!"
"Not Penta-Edged Sword!" I sobbed with a quiver.
"I'M TAKING THEM ALL," he said with a laugh.
"AND QUICKENING CHARM AND GOOD OL' QUARTERSTAFF."
New Tormentor and Roshan
The third sack’s gifts were never revealed. However, Valve hinted at the potential of Roshan and Tormentor having new abilities in the upcoming update.
And we heard him exclaim as he left the facilities—
"THE TORMENTOR AND ROSHAN SHALL HAVE NEW ABILITIES!"
The Frostivus event rings nostalgic bells for most Dota 2 players. Many players rejoiced upon hearing the initial news that Valve would bring back Frostivus after three years. However, the mysterious figure Valve introduced for Frostivus 2023 sounds more like Krampus rather than a jolly ol’ Santa Claus!
Featured Image Source: Valve
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