Valve Teases Dota 2 Frostivus 2023 Event

As the action at ESL One Kuala Lumpur is heating up, Valve teased the release of the Frostivus 2023 event. The event will come along with three major changes. In the blog post Valve released, King Kringle, a mysterious figure whom Valve made up for Frostivus 2023, visits the Dota 2 world on Frostivus Eve. However, the last name of the mysterious figure is similar to the children's beloved Christmas figure, Santa Claus.

Valve reveals plans to bring back Frostivus in the patch update before The International 2023.
Credits: Valve

Along with him, he brings three gifts, which will change the game in some way. The tease could also indicate Valve’s intention to release the update tomorrow.

The Gifts

The three sacks from Valve's Frostivus 2023.
Credits: Valve

Similarly, in a Christmas tradition, Valve teased three major changes in an upcoming update. Valve also gave the players potential clues about the updates in an encrypted form, “sacks”. The three mentioned slacks were:

“A SACK OF GIFTS PRESENT, A SACK OF GIFTS PAST, A SACK OF GIFTS TAKEN (BUT OFTEN BROUGHT BACK).”

The First Sack

One of the best Dota 2 heroes ever created, Templar Assassin.
Credits: Valve

In the blog post, Valve mentioned the first sack is unknown to Dota 2 as the hint for the first sack was:

“THIS FIRST SACK OF GIFTS IS UNKNOWN TO THIS REALM:

THE NEMESIS CURSE, THE WHISPER OF DREAD,

THE MOONLIGHT TIARA, AND MUCH MORE”

Speculations started to run wild in the Dota 2 community about Valve’s motives. However, the most popular theory was the newly mentioned names must have a connection with the Dota 2 heroes’ theme.

The Concept Art for Anti Mage's Personna is much better than what the players got.
Credits: Valve

While most people think the name is a hint for new immortals, personas or even an arcana for heroes like Templer Assain, Muerta and Mirana, some suggest the names belong to new neutral items.

The Second Sack

For the second sack, Valve hints at a change in stats for the in-game items in the upcoming update. The lines for the second sack:

“SOME GIFTS I'VE IMPROVED, AND SOME I'VE DERANGED.

ALL THAT NEED CONCERN YOU IS THAT THEY HAVE CHANGED.”

Additionally, the following three items are mentioned:

“ THE ORB OF CORROSION, ARCANE BOOTS, BLOODTHORN.”

THESE AND MORE I HAVE ALTERED SINCE LAST THEY WERE WORN.”

Move over, Slark. Slardar is the new fish in town.
Image Source: Reddit

With the rise of heroes like Spectre and Slardar,  items like Orb Of Corrosion and Bloodthorn are gaining popularity amongst players. Furthermore, Arcane Boots is a beloved item by support players. The hint could indicate that the patch focuses on the balance of the in-game items.

Here We Go Again

The sack includes some sad news for Dota 2 players as well, as it read:

“THE THIRD GIFT, 

IS MY FAVORITE KIND... THE GIFT I TAKE BACK.”

The first time Ring of Aquila was taken from us was in 2018. Five years later, it will be taken from us again.
Credits: Reddit.

The lines indicate the removal of some of the beloved neutral items. Moreover, Valve gave the names of neutral items which will get removed as the story continues:

"Not Ring of Aquila! Please not Titan Sliver!"

"Not Penta-Edged Sword!" I sobbed with a quiver.

"I'M TAKING THEM ALL," he said with a laugh.

"AND QUICKENING CHARM AND GOOD OL' QUARTERSTAFF."

New Tormentor and Roshan

The third sack’s gifts were never revealed. However, Valve hinted at the potential of Roshan and Tormentor having new abilities in the upcoming update.

And we heard him exclaim as he left the facilities—

"THE TORMENTOR AND ROSHAN SHALL HAVE NEW ABILITIES!"

The Frostivus event rings nostalgic bells for most Dota 2 players. Many players rejoiced upon hearing the initial news that Valve would bring back Frostivus after three years. However, the mysterious figure Valve introduced for Frostivus 2023 sounds more like Krampus rather than a jolly ol’ Santa Claus!

Featured Image Source: Valve

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