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The Ringmaster is Finally Here to Tame the Wild Heroes of Dota 2
Cogliostro Kettle, the Ringmaster, has finally entered the world of Dota 2. After more than a year since the last hero, Muerta, was released, the Ringmaster brings with him this year's International Compendium as well.
The Ringmaster has been patiently waiting for the perfect moment to step into the spotlight. During his time alone, he has been honing new tricks to face the heroes of Dota 2. Now, he’s ready to perform, and when everyone is distracted, he plans to trap them one by one as part of his 'act.' But enough about his future and his Tragic Past—let’s focus on what this hero can do for us NOW.
Role and Abilities
The Ringmaster is categorized as a Ranged Support (though that won’t stop us from experimenting with a Rapier or two). He has many tricks up his sleeve, starting with:
Tame the Beasts
This ability is channeled for 1 second in a radius infront of the Ringmaster. After channeling, he cracks his twirling whip in the area, causing all enemies within the radius to flee in fear while taking damage. The damage, fear duration, and radius size depend on how long the ability is channeled.
The channeling starts with a larger radius, but if stopped early, the damage dealt and fear duration are reduced. If the channeling is left to complete, the damage and fear duration increase, but the radius decreases. Your use of this ability will depend on the situation.
Escape Act
This trick helps the Ringmaster or his allies escape immediate danger. He packs up himself or an ally in an untargetable box, granting phased movement, slow resistance, bonus magic resistance, and bonus movement speed.
However, the unit inside the box will be muted, silenced, and disarmed. The box opens after the ability expires or if it moves more than 500 units away from its center. The real Escape Act is figuring out how to save your life after getting out of the box.
Impalement Arts
What fun is a Ringmaster if you can’t trust him to throw daggers at you and miss? Well, DO NOT trust him—this hero is looking to impale you and bleed you out over the next 4 seconds. The dagger is thrown in a straight line, so remember, zig-zag and roll if you have to, because he has 3 more charges.
Wheel of Wonder
The Ringmaster's ultimate trick is the Wheel of Wonder, which mesmerizes his enemies. The Wheel of Wonder rolls to the targeted location, knocking aside enemies in its path. Upon reaching its destination, enemies within range of the wheel take damage over time and are slowed by 50%.
Enemies facing the wheel are taunted and move toward it. The first taunted enemy triggers a timer for the wheel to explode. If the timer is not triggered, the wheel will automatically explode after 8 seconds.
Innate Ability: Dark Carnival Barker
If an enemy dies within 925 units of the Ringmaster, he receives a Souvenir charge. The charge grants him one of these three abilities at random:
Funhouse Mirror
Creates 1 imperfect illusion of the Ringmaster that lasts for 18 seconds. The illusion deals 28% damage and takes 300% damage.
Strongman Tonic
Increases an allied hero's Strength by 5 + 1.5 per Ringmaster’s level for 8 seconds. The effect holds for 4 seconds and then deteriorates over the duration.
Whoopee Cushion
Propels the Ringmaster forward 400 units. He leaves behind a 200-radius stink cloud for 3 seconds that slows enemies by 30%.
Facet: Center Stage
The developers have not yet finalized a facet for the hero. However, they left us with a hint: "Ringmaster is still new to the spotlight. This facet doesn’t do anything... yet."
So, should we expect a quick update like the one for the Ringmaster? Only time will tell. But for now, we can play the hero and trick our enemies—or our allies (if they’re toxic, just put them in a box).
READ MORE: Best Dota 2 Support Heroes in Patch 7.37b
Featured Image: Valve
