Dragon Hoard is Dota 2's first Ancient skin

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.

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.

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?

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 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.

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

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