Another hero is joining the Dota 2 universe to create more chaos and confusion in the popular MOBA game. During The International 12, the Ringmaster took a bow in front of the Dota 2 community, promising trickery and deceptive performance.
This will be the 125th Dota 2 hero by Valve, a year after Muerta was introduced back in 2022. The trailer shows Axe being tricked by a magnificent high striker which leads to him falling into the depths of the trickster machine.
The Ringmaster’s lore is not yet available, however, the trailer comes with the following description:
"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."
The release of Ringmaster was hinted at in the New Frontiers update, where a single circus ticket is spotted in the new map reveal. This prompted the Dota 2 community to theorize on what hero will be released next, according to a list of potential heroes from data-mining info obtained as early as 2020. Most agreed that the new hero might be inspired by Puppet Master, a hero in the now-defunct Heroes of Newerth.
Theories are now emerging about the Ringmaster’s ability and role in the upcoming season. It is all based on the circus theme of the Ringmaster which focuses on trickery and traps. The hero might have the ability to taunt other heroes and trap them for a while. Furthermore, the hero might also have the ability to control other neutral or enemy units in the game.
When will Ringmaster be released on Dota 2?
As of now, Valve has not set a specific date for the release of Ringmaster in Dota 2. However, we do know that it will join the roster of heroes in 2024.
Let’s take a look at the timeline of previous hero releases. Muerta was available to play in March 2023 after its announcement during The International 11. Before that, Primal Beast joined the Dota 2 Battlefield in February 2022.
Since we don’t have the actual gameplay or the hero himself in the trailer, it is safe to assume that the development of the Ringmaster is still ongoing. If we were to predict the release date, it could come in mid-2024, several months before the next TI.
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