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The Dota 2 update for this week arrived on the main client late last night and has introduced a number of useful updates to the DotaTV spectator system in preparation for the International 3 tournament which is set to begin in around one week. Updates to the DotaTV system include added Xbox 360 controller support for spectators, the inclusion of map icons for the Dire courier to improve team identification, visual improvements to the Best of 3/5 round bar, and the ability to toggle vision radii for Observer and Sentry wards. The Linux and Mac versions of the game have also seen a variety of helpful upgrades in the form of a fixed chat wheel, performance improvements, crash fixes and much more. While the Interactive Compendium received several minor additions in the form of updated rules and Smeevil rewards, the matchmaking system was once again appeared as one of the main talking points as Valve have reportedly reduced the average wait time for games through a number of mostly undisclosed changes, one of which includes limiting the number of selectable regions, which is now capped at six.
However, while all of these useful changes are welcome, the bulk of the update involved the introduction of far more important features. That's right: cosmetic items! The update introduced 8 new cosmetic couriers, 4 of which are themed after the International 3 tournament, and sixteen new item sets for a variety of heroes including Crystal Maiden, Kunkka, Nyx Assassin and many more. Over 21 other individual items were added as loot for the brand new "Treasure of Champions 2013" chest, which was introduced to the drop system with this update.
More interestingly, however, is the introduction of the Immortal items promised with the recently surpassed sixth milestone for the Interactive Compendium. The first item, known as the "Immortal Reliquary", is awarded to all compendium owners upon opening their backpacks. Once unlocked, the reliquary will provide the player with one of five possible Immortal class items for Abaddon, Kunkka, Lone Druid, Pudge or Vengeful Spirit. Each new item features some kind of new attack animation, particle effect and/or victory pose, which you can check out by clicking on the links attached to each hero name. Examples of the new effects include a whale surfacing within Kunkka's Torrent and a crescent moon shaped blast for Vengeful Spirit's Wave of Terror. If you're looking to learn more about this week's update, including changes to the Loadout UI and custom game lobbies, be sure to check out the official changelog over on the Dota 2 blog or read all about the update in Cyborgmatt's in-depth patch analysis.
Don't forget, the group stages of the International 3 tournament are set to begin on August 3rd, while the main event at the Benaroya Hall in Seattle will begin on August 7th, so mark those dates down in your diary if you're interested in watching Dota 2's best sixteen teams in the world compete for the biggest prize in e-sporting history, because why wouldn't you be interested in that?!
However, while all of these useful changes are welcome, the bulk of the update involved the introduction of far more important features. That's right: cosmetic items! The update introduced 8 new cosmetic couriers, 4 of which are themed after the International 3 tournament, and sixteen new item sets for a variety of heroes including Crystal Maiden, Kunkka, Nyx Assassin and many more. Over 21 other individual items were added as loot for the brand new "Treasure of Champions 2013" chest, which was introduced to the drop system with this update.
Get the harpoons ready lads! Whale off the starboard side!
More interestingly, however, is the introduction of the Immortal items promised with the recently surpassed sixth milestone for the Interactive Compendium. The first item, known as the "Immortal Reliquary", is awarded to all compendium owners upon opening their backpacks. Once unlocked, the reliquary will provide the player with one of five possible Immortal class items for Abaddon, Kunkka, Lone Druid, Pudge or Vengeful Spirit. Each new item features some kind of new attack animation, particle effect and/or victory pose, which you can check out by clicking on the links attached to each hero name. Examples of the new effects include a whale surfacing within Kunkka's Torrent and a crescent moon shaped blast for Vengeful Spirit's Wave of Terror. If you're looking to learn more about this week's update, including changes to the Loadout UI and custom game lobbies, be sure to check out the official changelog over on the Dota 2 blog or read all about the update in Cyborgmatt's in-depth patch analysis.
Don't forget, the group stages of the International 3 tournament are set to begin on August 3rd, while the main event at the Benaroya Hall in Seattle will begin on August 7th, so mark those dates down in your diary if you're interested in watching Dota 2's best sixteen teams in the world compete for the biggest prize in e-sporting history, because why wouldn't you be interested in that?!
