With 24 hours until the next Dota 2 patch, Valve has dropped a series of riddles that hint at changes in the upcoming update.
With the next Dota 2 patch now less than 24 hours away, Valve has amped up the hype with a cheeky teaser of what’s to come. Dropped at just after 4:00 p.m. PT on Dota 2’s Steam Page, the Riddles in the Dark news post leaked some of the upcoming changes coming in the next patch.
In the post Valve teased nine changes, with some jokes thrown in for good measure. These range from definite changes we’re excited about to some memes we could do with passing on.
Answers to Valve’s Dota 2 patch riddles?
The first riddle, about the patch date, is obvious. But there’s some real headscratchers in there, and we’re here to guide you through the answers so these riddles aren’t so much of a mystery!
Dota 2 Riddle in the Dark answers
[UNIT] is now controllable by the player that dug it up
Answer: Kobold
This is likely a new feature for the Trusty Shovel, which will now allow you to control the annoying Kobold. Now if you dig it up it'll be an ally, instead of having it attack you, and if you’re very unlucky or Crystallis, kill you.
[HERO]: Always has 0 Intelligence. Always.
Answer: Troll Warlord?
Troll Warlord has the lowest intelligence in the game. Perhaps this change will see it reduced to 0? This could hint at a rework or a simple change in stats. Other theories have pointed to Huskar and Alchemist.
Answer: Ogre Magi
With the release of patch 7.33 is was discovered that this was in reference to Ogre Magi, who was transformed into a Strength hero with a new passive built around his 0 intelligence.
[ITEM]: Now has an initial and max stock of 4 and a restock time of 120s
Answer: Aghanim’s Shard? Tome of Knowledge?
This is unknown, but maybe Shard’s are now in limited supply. At the same time, it could also refer to existing limited stock item the Tome of Knowledge. Other theories suggest it's about Tangos or Smokes.
After this effect the soul is forcefully returned to the body
Answer: Muerta Aghanim’s Scepter?
Perhaps this is a new ability for Muerta tied to her Aghanim’s Scepter. Alternatively, it could hint at a new hero. We highly suspect the former, though.
[HERO]: Base armor increased by 1
Answer: Doom
This is a reference to the classic comic about Doom having just too much armor!
[UNIT TYPE] now gain 15 movement speed during the night.
Answer: A Jungle Creep? Lycan Wolves?
Perhaps one of the jungle creeps is now much quicker, or Lycan just got a pretty big buff during the night!
Mana cost reduction effects only apply to mana cost
Answer: None required.
This is just a straight patch note. Good, we guess!
[ITEM]: Requires Echo Sabre (2500), Diadem (1000), Recipe (1000). Total cost: 4500
Answer: New item!
An Echo Sabre upgrade? This sounds absolutely crazy. Or it's just a new recipe for Heaven's Halberd according to Jerax.
Any player can use a [NOUN] to [VERB] to the other one after channeling for 3 seconds.
Answer: Unknown!
An ability tweak? To Io perhaps? Charges on relocate? This one is a big mystery, but we feel it will be a teleport of some kind, due to the wording. Some theories have it linked to outposts, and that you'll be able teleport between outposts if you control both. Or another building.
Will Dota 2's next patch live up to the hype?
Given how much teasing, hype, and anticipation has built up around the upcoming patch, its hard to imagine it will ever live up to expectations. Still, the changes teased above are definitely very interesting, and we love the ideas coming though. All will be answered in 24 hours and we'll find out just how good the new patch is!
Stay tuned to esports.gg for more Dota 2 patch coverage!