The Ringmaster

Out past the lanes, at the edge of the forest, there is a narrow path. You could swear it wasn't there yesterday. You follow it into the smothering darkness... until there is a light. A small, glittering light dancing between the distant trees. You follow the light deeper into the forest. It's getting colder now. You can see your breath. A branch snaps behind you. You look. Nothing. Then...
Next year, no hero is safe... from the Ringmaster.

[@crazy961234]

Valve really took the phrase "You're not a clown, you're the whole circus." literally.

[@user-bj4tk5hk5s]

В бравлике тоже цирк обнова

[@clck1242]

cannot like your comment it has 700 likes all round ^^ so i comment cause it makes me laughs

[@XinDseal]

the clowns are the scrubs that will play him in rank with no practice

[@phantom9312]

Finally the pubs after this hero release will legitimately turn into a circus. I am looking forward to it and also not at the same time.

[@martinmalecki3302]

release the clowns!

[@randomstuff2097]

NA clowns @@martinmalecki3302

[@bgnkrnt]

@@martinmalecki3302 but the clowns already released, usually core players in my ranked games

[@exab1264]

it already is a circus.

[@LeinRa-Reaction]

​@@exab1264but now it's official

[@poisonrune]

Maxwell really trapped Axe in the constant 💀

[@nicreven]

my thoughts exactly From the music, to the vibes, to the looks, it's so DST

[@Marc-qz3bj]

LMAO

[@blankx15]

Ohhh a fellow DS enjoyer. Lol

[@doku-ritsu8718]

Well hello fellow DS enjoyer

[@m6gnum684]

Maxwell but epic

[@littlebigcommentaries9833]

5 months after announcement and still not in the game is crazy

[@rach0818015679]

It’s been confirmed he will be out in may 4.

[@ludwerhiller467]

@@rach0818015679 Where did you see that?

[@vashj212]

Finally, a hero representing us SEA clowns

[@Blablablarandomguy]

Speak for yourself

[@komi8628]

@@Blablablarandomguy found the SEA clown

[@PauldyFishing]

Its from NA.

[@kwamebrownofficial]

SA, SEA, and NA are the clown trio

[@justpremiumyt]

We are clown, fact!

[@dariussonofjazzlin7433]

I wonder how that last trap comes into play, or maybe the hero transforms into that for his ult? What I do know is that those voice lines are gonna be exquisite, wow.

[@NakedGhost3234]

The ultimate will be a structure that forces taunt for one hit from the chosen or closest hero. The higher the damage, the more damage (or chance of something devastating to occur) inflicted so the idea is to use this on a physical damage carry perhaps?

[@invertexyz]

@@NakedGhost3234 Phantom Assassin not gonna have a fun time.

[@Sickristo]

Maybe just an execute sort of ult, like Urgot from League that pulls them in?

[@farrel_ra]

​@@NakedGhost3234good theory

[@markjacobs3232]

Yeah I’m also getting HoN puppet master vibes with that ulty.

[@Whoisthis911]

Is that the legendary voice of John de Lancie ?! That guy is pure gold, every character is a hundred times more fun because of his voice.

[@KingBowser117]

NO WAY VALVE JUST SENT AXE TO BRAZIL

[@omegalul8466]

One thing that i like about dota's hero design is that they're unpredictable. I love the design of muerta and her abilities are completely unique from the other heroes. And i think this one is no exception.

[@Koreryn]

I hate Muerta

[@supershid464]

it's good that they are sticking to their vision of the game instead of making 100 identical anime girls

[@GSP96]

​@@Koreryny

[@GSP96]

​@@supershid464fr I'm very thankful we aren't getting the lol treatment. I don't think lol will die soon because of the ease of playing but it's in such a weird place

[@leftistnpc5417]

Muerta E-blade/swift blink build is soooo fun

[@zyccer]

New event: ❌ New hero coming soon 2047: ✅

[@Arksimon2k]

Puppetmaster?! Love this voice for him.

[@astronemir]

Yes!!!! Please be puppet Aster port from HoN!

[@nullnull295]

@@astronemir shaman = puppet master

[@stepoichi]

@@nullnull295 shaman = pollywog priest; puppet master is a hybrid form of shaman, wd, grim, etc.

[@godsu]

@@nullnull295Nah thats Pollywog Priest

[@Pomfer_]

'We have puppetmaster at home'

[@zzzssakahdhs2810]

i hope too

[@vinceli9410]

clown master

[@darosamath]

@@vinceli9410 Clown Master = Admiral Bulldog

[@Pomfer_]

@@darosamath pepehands all washed up

[@itsnub5597]

Really cool concept for a hero! Well done Valve!

[@user-bl9ou9fc9k]

remind me of recent animation the amazing digital circus pOmni XD

[@geraldbriceno7425]

Wow! Someone being grateful in the comments. Refreshing to see!

[@skymedic0620]

Remember guys, Axe is not axe if he lets go of his weapon

[@ezmoney25]

Arcana has entered the chat

[@levie2415]

axe avatar?

[@madnessgabriel8444]

Axe need no axe

[@jimmyorgenkaccrow4961]

@@ezmoney25 You mean Persona?

[@sandnsnow3202]

So what do we call axe at 0:47 then?

[@Mr_Nobody640]

This hero is gonna have the ability to disarm for sure

[@Quartermistress]

From his shit eating grin, to his mechanical theme and design and not to mention how all the heroes on the poster at 1:34 get turned into comical circus versions of themselves. Honestly he looks like so much fun.

[@Ninja1Ninja2]

5 of them, so the idea is he takes over the enemy team, his theme is probably he lays traps that damage enemies for attacking and his ult takes over enemies based on their own attack damage could be the first new universal hero

[@okammy]

I'm quite disappointed with the hero that is presented for 2024, it seems so little, for the 10 years of dota2, end I wish they would present more. And not just one hero a year, but he seems nice.

[@hydravink]

@@okammy you want 10 heroes per year so that we get lost in heroes and forget about old ones? how do you balance this game if you add a lot of heroes?

[@TauEnjoyer]

@@okammy if you want a bunch of heroes a year, go play league kid, even league said that releasing a bunch of champions a year was a mistake for balance

[@okammy]

@@TauEnjoyer In the past, we've once had the right to 2 heroes in one go, it was Phoenix and Terrorblade, just goes to show you, they can do it again.

[@NACLGames]

Holy shit, its frigging JOHN DE LANCIE voicing him....I'll play this hero for that reason alone! Also, feels like a very "Valve" hero. Something that better fits their old school sensibilities, pre-Dota 2.

[@hydravink]

valve never really miss with the teasers/trailers tbh, they just have that "valve" vibe

[@MALEMization]

The Ringmaster, Alarak and Discord enter in a Bar! I knew it was De Lancie from the way he said "Why not capture 'HEROES'?" That mocking accent is way too hard to miss!

[@TheRealLittleBIGhead]

@@MALEMization Oh c'mon, how do you just not mention Q like that?

[@RagnaroekChaos]

I know right? Feeling old man@@TheRealLittleBIGhead

[@MALEMization]

@@TheRealLittleBIGhead Who?

[@albanec2140]

полгода прошло с анонса так и не добавили, компания оптимистов)

[@cutecimo]

говорят что сегодня ночью

[@user-pu1uj6zh5h]

@@cutecimo кто говорит ?

[@wertok6361]

@@cutecimo сегодня ночью его не добавили, жди дальше

[@albanec2140]

@@cutecimo обновление для нагрева гоев, впринипе как обычно, вальве не меняются

[@suiseiseki1251]

#giveopezdal

[@user-xm1lt7cr4j]

Легенда

[@parisulki729]

If anyone is wondering, heros depicted on his artworks from top left are: Kunnka, Monkey king, Mirana, Axe and Keeper of the Light

[@doge7513]

It's been 3 month valve where are you

[@khanhhung8959]

They only said 2024 so it can be december

[@orekpk]

@@khanhhung8959 rofl xD

[@gogglyspecsgs9305]

man yt really recommended me this to bait me so hard

[@owmyballs2087]

Terrifying! Love it.

[@j-mc2144]

This is the best aesthetic design for a new hero ever.

[@farrel_ra]

Agree!

[@AthreeP]

​@@farrel_raYou might like lies of P

[@crispychikentenderr8020]

Riot/Moonton could never hahaha

[@Lessen0]

@@crispychikentenderr8020 He looks quite a lot like Jhin from LoL (also an evil character who arranges evil performances), and honestly even as a Dota fan who's never played LoL (but has played LoR, their card game) I prefer the Jhin's design so far over Ringmaster's. It's kind of just a function of Valve's sense of humor/design though. Ringmaster looks more like a creepy asshole while Jhin looks more genuinely "classy" I guess. I guess I appreciate Valve making this fucker unlikeable instead of cool, both characters are sadistic fucks. @OP (j-mc) I like Muerta's aesthetic way more than this. This guy seems like a predatory dick who thinks he's so smart for being a predator. Muerta's just a classy badass.

[@skandhreddy]

Totally

[@Gabrielbarsch]

omg john de lancie, the same voice actor of alarak from hots/starcraft II and discord from mlp This guy is a living legend excelent choise for voice actor, this will be epic

[@DxAxxxTyriel]

He also plays Q on Star Trek

[@serenityotp]

I KNEW I HAD HEARD THAT VOICE BEFORE. Loved Discord in mlp.

[@M0nchis]

Oh shit discord forgot about him

[@okammy]

I'm quite disappointed with the hero that is presented for 2024, it seems so little, for the 10 years of dota2, end I wish they would present more. And not just one hero a year, but he seems nice.

[@Gabrielbarsch]

@@okammy quality over quantity, my friend

[@hehehenyxnyxnyx]

Report Axe for feeding.

[@beefusdoesstuff5194]

No way this Axe didn't get spammed by pings after dying

[@ragingtomato04]

This must be the first hero that is not a keenfolk to use machine and engineering

[@Lessen0]

Great point. Tho hmm, maybe that goes to Muerta because she's the first non-keen we've seen using guns.

[@shnorkeythefourth4572]

@@Lessen0depends on what “gun” means as hoodwink uses a very intricate crossbow that’s on the border. A flintlock pistol which seems like what muerta uses is closer to that than snipers fully automatic sniper/Gatling gun

[@raquizta06]

Pangolier?

[@hokandchill]

clockwerk?

[@ragingtomato04]

@@Lessen0 muerta have ethereal guns, it's not a product science and engineering, it's product of magic. Although, muerta did have real physical guns back when she was alive, so maybe you can count that.

[@yoelsn1302]

4 months Valve..... 4 MONTHS!! And we are without nothing

[@azrael631]

it's 5 actually in a week

[@Whizbang]

@@azrael631 It's 5 months now

[@ernees253]

Человек самовар теперь рад что его считали сумасшедшим зря

[@okammy]

I'm quite disappointed with the hero that is presented for 2024, it seems so little, for the 10 years of dota2, end I wish they would present more. And not just one hero a year, but he seems nice.

[@uno9102]

Еще впереди птица самурай и вампир

[@ygandamen]

папич и дядя богдан любят друг друга..

[@different_stuff]

это русский коммент же @@okammy

[@Mar0var]

alter bist du durch

[@kaloyanmarinov525]

In contrast Muerta was released about 4 months after her announcement video, for Ringmaster its 5 and a half months and counting.

[@baisayan4647]

полтара года они рисовали две арканы, пол года с аноноса героя которого так и не выпустили, ну ниче мы же игроки в доту терпим и жрем гавно как обычно...

[@mishagrishaev5804]

Да арканы какая нить сторонняя студия рисовала, а они только в клиент залили)))

[@nomadshepard6231]

Друже, не терпи, удали нахуй эту игру. Выбор есть всегда!

[@jfbigorna]

If it follows the same pattern as Muerta, it should only come out in March. I hope it comes out sooner, it looks incredibly cool!

[@horse-4598]

no way they wait that long with the game dying like it is

[@manaylodha]

@@horse-4598 it is not...

[@jipocopo]

it will comes out in December 2024

[@TaydolfSwifter]

I hope jan1

[@Vikingskog]

@@horse-4598 What gave you that idea? The playercount for this quarter is the same it has been the last 5 years dude, its very stable.

[@kale3816]

А где? Или суть цирка в "павшей короне"?)

[@SyedShahnabAliGillani]

They forgot about him i guess.

[@despacitodaniel801]

love how high poly everything is in this animation but Axe, he still has his 2015 ass model. He is perfect

[@alZiiHardstylez]

The fake creeps is an interesting addition. Feels like a lot of shenanigans and trickery will be afoot :)

[@unowno123]

my favorite actor doing the voice acting for a dota 2 hero!

[@mishkakopcapoleole9524]

ГДЕ?

[@arifalhadi4661]

"No hero is safe" 😮😮😮 Can't wait to see his gameplay

[@sabintandukar7907]

Oh I am going to love this hero.

[@MsSlagar]

So glad that we gonna have Handsome Jack in Dota 2.

[@drydryd]

Hey early 2024. Okay mid april. Okay we don't know but after may. We can promise you that at least........or can we?

[@vitoosmail6140]

Voice acting is fantastic here. Q does not disappoint.

[@human_being99_3]

man it would be so hype if the release would be straight after grand finals... it would cause dota to LIVE because there are soo many people watching and they are all hyped imagine how many people would just play nonstop if he was released right after finals

[@americanitalianslav6011]

He won’t it says 2024 so I’m guessing end of the year. 😢 I wish he came out after finals

[@alrycaaeveahexendias1236]

Kind of unfortunate only Grimstroke had this treatment.

[@Ashterrs]

Techies had it during an allstars match! @@alrycaaeveahexendias1236

[@Zeroedout420]

He would be released with like Es stuck in roll, Tusk in Snowball, and Rubick AM Reflect crashing the servers globally. Let them finish it up and release something that works or is very very close and just needs tweaking.

[@arnesieper8332]

this treatment was given to grimstroke, and tbh, it was a mess. as a new hero always has a period where it is overpowered (no one knows how to deal with him or what to expect), it makes games with that hero feel unbalanced, no matter what. add to that the fact that it is genuinly better to let the hype die down a bit, so that not everyone rushes to it (and is inevitably disappointed because onyl 10% of players in a match get to play it). wait a few patches, try to test the hero thoroughly in different circumstances, and then release him to the public

[@mikea.7788]

what I hate about these new hero introductions is that we have to wait for it to be released.

[@oneswagman9426]

Smart move by valve. Valve: hero will be released in 2024. Player: what month? Valve: ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[@noobbll]

well this is always been like this people aren't surprised at all

[@goldspider78]

​​​@@noobbllthey cancelled Battle Pass and promised content whole year instead. So where is this content? In 2024? Do you think it's normal?

[@noobbll]

@@goldspider78 they always make promises and broke them. iirc they say similar thing, they would make lot of content and release more new hero after releasing original hero (before monkey) but its either late af or nothing.

[@crimento]

well, it's not January anymore so less time to wait ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[@omarz_man]

This guy might be the collector in the dota lore

[@gummybear6671]

Valve is shit, 5months since they've announced Clownfall, what is wrong with them???

[@SoneOfTheExort]

пол года прошло, середина апреля уже позади

[@Lucitaur]

DotA 2 is already a circus, so it only makes sense to add The Ringmaster. P.S. Valve should really add a profile in the point shop themed around this hero!

[@kevinhuelo6614]

five months has been passed, and we have no more notices about him....

[@Midaspl]

Puppet Master from HoN? :D

[@axarionn7544]

I hope so he was so fun back then

[@elysiumgaming2866]

​@@axarionn7544what were his abilities

[@Ninja1Ninja2]

definitely with a crazier ult based on the enemys attack

[@centerville6897]

Puppey master

[@Midaspl]

@@elysiumgaming2866It was ranged int autoattack carry. First skill was kind of "elastic leash". You would be restricted to some area like with slark's, but you would be able to go temporarly further, but it would mean you would get pulled back to center on a delay. Second skill made enemy attack their teammates. Think small scale, non-bkb piercing reversed Wyvern's ult. You would cast it on a person and it would attack whovere was around (you could not select who it would target tho and if there were no other units around the target it would not work at all). His third skill was simple, but one of most important in his kit. Every 4th attack would be a crit and deal damage in an AoE around the target. Finally, is ult would summon a puppet with strings connected to the targeted enemy. Puppet had a certain HP and you could attack it. Any damage it took would be transfered to the connected enemy and it took increased damage. You could avoid the damage by going far enough to snap the strings.

[@beep5798]

No Ringmaster?

[@VividvvVividvv]

Yep, he looks cool. Hope he ends up as a hard hero (dificulty 3). It has been quite some time since the last one came out. Nevertheless, great design

[@Michael-yy2vl]

Who was the last one?

[@Loknitro]

​@@Michael-yy2vlarc if im not mistaken

[@VividvvVividvv]

@@Michael-yy2vl It was arc warden. There are curently only 12 high complexity heroes (I know this classification is arbitrary, but all 12 of them are pretty complicated)

[@clck1242]

@@VividvvVividvv idk man i only find heroes with micro management copmplicated oracle is kinda easy to take in hands arc too cause oyu only control 2 unity so just have to put a keybind on "select next unit" option and rubick also is ez to play and kinda op visage same ez to play no need 40000 gmaes to master him chen ez too play too only the heroes like meepo lone druid bear build or huge micro/macro management or smurf heroes are hard to play but most of the time it only requires some game to master them and having the capability to read passiv and spells ^^^

[@eagleye2893]

​@@VividvvVividvv Arc Warden was released Years Ago btw. Still miss his old Rune Making Ability.

[@Oblivion48]

I really like that they used the voice actor who voices Alarak from Starcraft 2

[@Gorvak]

Kotl at the poster cracked me up so much

[@MrWeeseAChine]

The fact we get a circus themed hero that kidnaps people being announced after The Amazing Digital Circus exploded onto the scene a couple of weeks ago is just perfect timing.

[@JewTube001]

They ever gunna release this?

[@AbyssEtc]

John De Lancie?? love to see it. Shoutout to the continuum!!

[@MGTRN-tw5uq]

Looks like Don't Starve is comming to Dota. Love it. I hope that there is a music pack.

[@warleysouza5692]

5 months ago, still nothing

[@hornwormgames9908]

where?

[@TheL1ch_]

nice pupet master in dota 2 now lets go best hero from hon

[@tacky4237]

He reminds me of a certain... *PuppetMaster* I remember.

[@GG-ou7it]

Over a year and they couldnt release one hero, my god what are they doing over there, billion dollar company.

[@Marc-tp9xv]

This is a very reminiscent of an old hero from dota1 (Gambler) especially the luck, probability, and circusy kind of thing is what reminded me of him

[@ericc9321]

He's literally reskinned Puppet Master.

[@rokmun680]

@@ericc9321 is that a hon character?

[@ericc9321]

@@rokmun680 Yup. The internal name dataminers found for Ringmaster was Puppetmaster.

[@zenki8854]

​@@ericc9321remember HON is copy from Dora or WoW so (Gambler) is their origin

[@rokmun680]

@@ericc9321 I had theorized that we would be seeing hon copies in dota following it’s end. With this it seems I thought right. Which is quite nice, since their designs will not be wasted.

[@sirbeerus6987]

I feel this was inspired by Ringmaster of Korn with strings and all. Rumor has it this hero can puppet opponents.

[@leavezgaming]

With that voice and character, voice lines are gonna be amazing. Pubs are gonna produce literal "clowns"

[@Emidretrauqe]

Hey, this might actually get me interested in the game again! I love circuses.

[@farrel_ra]

Circus is evil for putting animals to show

[@noobgod3216]

The game is already full of people working there lol

[@danielroy7372]

The game already is a circus. No wonder, my team mates in SEA are always working overtime

[@user-qv1gc1vn7o]

you will get the whole team full of clown include the one picking you in rank

[@choco-choco301]

@@danielroy7372😂😂😂

[@hondabar]

where is he??

[@oscarjohannesson1430]

Love that we get Q in dota :)

[@Diego14SU]

Nice Joker Hero

[@chito2701]

this new hero is already teasing about it's ability to control enemy heroes, and AXE is a good example, jus imagine controlling AXE and using his Taunt against his own teammates.

[@axelmaure6214]

its not a new hero dude. read the description

[@chito2701]

@@axelmaure6214 what are you blind? you're the one that needs to read.

[@parisulki729]

​@axelmaure6214 you fool. It says next year, no hero... is safe!

[@axelmaure6214]

@@parisulki729 because Is something like a new tormentor in the map

[@happyhappyaus2128]

are you this dumb lol@@axelmaure6214

[@lightness7670]

Jhin Vibes and i love it

[@asdgsad2628]

Right? That was literally my first thought after I saw the mask

[@clck1242]

Looks even more charismatic than Jhin tbh

[@brah_be_cringing9914]

Lets goooo keep dropping new heroes 🔥🔥🔥 like the old dota 1 days lets have 200 dota heroes by the end of 2030

[@RedRanchu]

Finally SOMETHING that actually has orginality and not some SQUIRREL with sniper and windrangers skills.

[@Slaanash]

Good news: new DotA hero, Ringmaster Bad news: Not a cute clown girl Good news: John De Lancie is voicing him Emotional rollercoaster.

[@Lessen0]

I'm sure in about 50-100 years he'll get a Persona that makes him a cute girl.

[@heyzopondo4545]

brother wants the clussy

[@brixxconnor3411]

Nigga got the clussy fever

[@ezmoney25]

you went to a wrong game

[@grlmfp.4136]

clown ta set

[@SomeLowerLight]

LETS GO!!🔥🔥

[@zarenemanego2292]

Maxwell doing his thing again

[@Noname4533gr]

AMAZING

[@Yukibubin]

WHERE?!?!?

[@ablaikhanmaxsut1840]

Начало года это начала 2040года?

[@suka_sukaGaming]

I love his Hex Magic skill

[@archroid2004]

Amazing

[@thiagonaylor9097]

December 2024 release for sure

[@jorgea.coronado4389]

pls no lmao

[@Hlidskialf]

Finally a Pokemon master in Dota 2

[@far_3ast423]

I knew it that voice from Discord. That hero almost the same as Discord... I can't wait to use him

[@midlaner7950]

Where waiting for him for a long time! Now where is He???

[@roboheat752]

Finally a new Hero!

[@porkbelly6728]

The voice actor really sounds like john de lancie, reminiscing a very familiar voice.

[@Thanos_aka_Imperius]

yeah that's him

[@wdt61]

OMMMMyyyyy its beautifulll

[@manjulagoonewardena9466]

Stoked if John de Lancie is voicing this hero!

[@danielalarcon7792]

More heroes PLSSSS

[@elias7814]

I feel like dota 2 should just make a movie I mean the animations are on point and crisp. I’d for sure watch something dota lore oriented would be awesome

[@SonHoang-qi9xq]

Uh... Dragon blood?

[@MrCoolioPants]

Anime

[@clck1242]

@@SonHoang-qi9xq movie not anime wiuth only 6 characters from the license LOL

[@AngeryCrow]

The first time, we saw a full mechanical-like hero with a circus theme. Bet this one is either universal or intelligent based hero.

[@excelsior5719]

Intelligence soft carry/nuker/disabler/ranged

[@say9704]

The Ringmaster has reignited a level of hype I haven't felt since the glory days of patch 6.74 and the introduction of Rubick back in '12. (ahh that Tele Middle Ramp Glitch....)

[@Pegla43]

I hope some game mode will come with the hero

[@UTKARSHARJUN]

probably Christmas with an event and an arcana

[@davidriverarios8176]

its say 2024 sadly hopefully new year@@UTKARSHARJUN

[@Ninja1Ninja2]

aghanims labyrinth but its a huge circus instead valve absolutely should make a battle pass themed around a new hero or multiple new heroes like the dueling fates coming out with immortal items

[@okammy]

I'm quite disappointed with the hero that is presented for 2024, it seems so little, for the 10 years of dota2, end I wish they would present more. And not just one hero a year, but he seems nice.

[@6698theOmega]

Quality, not quantity. We get one new hero and try to play around with patches to balance the hero before introducing a new one.

[@simbastarcraft5906]

Finally the actual clowns in my 2k pubs have a hero that accurately expresses their personality.

[@manrradal2593]

WHERE

[@bogdanboca07]

"Crownfall update" mid april. there are only a few days left guys