Dragon Hoard is Dota 2's first Ancient skin

Dragon Hoard is Dota 2's first Ancient skin

Harrison Htet

9 Jan, 2024, 09:35

|

Last updated: 10 Apr, 2025, 13:15

Since their promise late last year, Valve has tried to provide more updates for the game and ties to the community. They are also well aware that fans are expecting a new update soon. Although the update is not ready, the developers have released the Dragon Hoard cosmetics for the Lunar New Year, featuring Dota 2’s first skin for the map’s Ancient. They also hinted that a promised update is around the corner.

DPC
The Ancient is the final objective in the base. Destroying it grants the team victory. 
Credits: Valve

What the Dragon Hoard update is about

The Lunar New Year’s theme is based around dragons. The Dragon Hoard update is available until March 7th. With gifting in mind, Valve designed the new treasure as a gift. Thus, players can only give the treasure to others and can’t open them. Yes, for Grinches, it is quite a major problem, as the only way to crack the treasure is to receive it as a gift from someone.

Dota 2 Dragon Hoard Update
The new skins are available for players in the Dragon Hoard Update.
Image Source: Screen Capture of Dota 2 in-game client

Moreover, for kind-hearted souls, Valve has also built an in-game reward for them. Gifters will receive a Pandora The PackWyrm Courier for their generous deeds. Sending one gift will make the regular version of the courier available to the gifter while sending eight gifts will make the golden version available.

What’s The Selling Point Of Dragon Hoard?

Dota 2's Ancient First Skin
Ancient Dragon King is the first skin for Ancient in Dota 2 history. Image Source: Screen capture of Dota 2 in-game client.

The treasure features seventeen new skins for seventeen different heroes. However, the pivotal part of the update isn’t the hero's cosmetics. Because, for the first time in Dota 2 history, players can now equip a cosmetic for their Ancient.

The skin is called Ancient Dragon King, featuring a dragon flying around Dota 2’s Ancient. The cosmetic item has unique looks on the Radiant and Dire sides. Furthermore, if any player on the team is equipped with this skin, their entire team will be able to witness the spectacle.

It is a good marketing decision from Valve. Dota 2 has been experiencing issues with player engagement, and a decrease in the prize pool of two consecutive TI reflects this. Since the cosmetic is an Ultra Rare reward, it is safe to assume that this skin’s drop rate will be low despite everyone and their family members gifting them.

What’s on the horizon?

The update also features several general game-play and ability draft bug fixes. Valve also assured players that the new cheat code detection is already in effect for Dota 2 since the recent ban wave.

Ringmaster is coming to Dota 2 in 2024
Ringmaster first debuted at The International 2023. It is a perfect hero for all the clowns out there.
Credits: Valve

Valve also gave some information for the game’s next big update. It will be called “Crownfall”. However, this is the only information Valve has given us, and they have not confirmed whether the new hero, Ringmaster, will be part of this update.

Dota 2 Vengeful Spirit
Vengeful Spirit is one of the meta picks.
Credits: Valve

 

Based on its name, the update will likely be centered around Skywrath Mage and Vengeful Spirit’s love story. Their arcanas can also be expected in the new coming update. We can expect more news about the Crownfall update in the coming months.

Featured Image Source: Valve

Read More At Strafe Esports: BetBoom Dacha Group Stage Concludes - 1v1 Tie-Breakers to Follow

Latest news

The International 2026: North America Regional Qualifier Schedule

The International 2026: North America Regional Qualifier Schedule

The International Regional Qualifiers are coming to an end but not before deciding which North American team will fight for the Aegis of Champions representing their region.
22 Jun
Eric Oliveira

Miposhka Returns To Team Spirit As Coach

Almost a year after being moved to Team Spirit's inactive roster, Yaroslav "Miposhka" Naidenov returns as a coach to help his former teammates on their journey to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026.
21 Jun
Eric Oliveira

The International 2026: Europe Regional Qualifier Schedule

Western and Eastern Europe are huge regions with a lot of competitive teams on their own, but for The International 2026, Valve decided to merge them into one big qualifier that will definitely be as entertaining as most tournaments.
19 Jun
Eric Oliveira

Esports Nations Cup 2026 Tickets: Pricing and Purchase Guide

Tickets for the inaugural Esports Nations Cup are now live, with weekly and tournament passes currently available. Here's how to purchase them.
19 Jun
Adarsh J. Kumar

Esports World Cup 2026: All Dota 2 Teams Invited and Qualified

The Esports World Cup (EWC) Regional Qualifiers are over, and with the tournament approaching, it's time to check which 24 teams secured their spots through the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Ranking and the Regional Qualifiers.
18 Jun
Eric Oliveira

GOALS Partners with PUMA for Exclusive In-Game Collectible Cosmetics

The new online football game currently gathering momentum — GOALS — has announced their latest endeavour: a team up with major sports brand: PUMA. The sports brand giant becomes the first to align themselves with GOALS for the release of an exclusive line of collectable cosmetics.
18 Jun
Foo Zen-Wen

The International 2026: Southeast Asia Regional Qualifier Schedule

Let's take a look at the Southeast Asian Regional Qualifiers for The International 2026 and check everything you need to know about the invited teams, format, possible rivalries, and much more.
18 Jun
Eric Oliveira

Comments (1)

Log in to comment on this match
No comments yet

Log in and be the first to start the conversation!

Show more comments