DotA

The new update is very close to being ready. There will be new heroes, items and lots of balance improvements. Here is the second preview:


1- Captains Mode: There is a new ban and pick system for CM in 6.68. Instead of 4 bans and then 5 picks, now it is 3 bans and then 3 picks followed by 2 bans and 2 picks. Information about the exact drafting order will be detailed in the changelog.


2- A new basic item, Orb of Venom:





3- Tiny with a new ability he gains from Aghanim's Scepter:




4- Kinetic Field, an ability on one of the new heroes:

I've confirmed that there were new heroes coming in 6.68, but there are also some new features coming. Here is a preview of a new gold mechanic that introduces the concept of Reliable vs Unreliable Gold.

"Reliable Gold" - Any bounty you get from hero kills or from the extra "aoe kill gold" bonus (feature from few patches ago) is added to your Reliable Gold pool.

"Unreliable Gold" - It is everything else (creep kills, neutrals, etc).

Dying can only take away gold from your Unreliable Gold pool and not from your Reliable Gold. Buying items uses up your Unreliable Gold first before using your Reliable Gold.

An example: You have 910 total gold (500 Unreliable, 410 Reliable). If you buy Boots of Speed, you'll have 410 total gold left (0 Unreliable, 410 Reliable). However, if you bought Chainmail, you would have 360 Reliable Gold left.

The process is seamless to the user, you won't have to do anything extra to make it work. Your total gold is still displayed in the same place. Your Reliable Gold is displayed in your scoreboard title.


This is a new experimental idea that may be adjusted and tweaked over time depending on feedback and results after it is released. As always, let me know anything you want to see in future versions.

We have opened a new beta signup section at PlayDotA.com. You can signup by creating a thread here. Please read the instructions in that forum first.

This is a new secondary beta group that is being created. It will be primarily used in the days before a map is ready to be released, as an additional line of testing and feedback. Members from there will also have the possibility of being promoted to the primary beta testing team.

This group will be limited to a manageable size (at least initially), so you may not be accepted immediately. Applications are reviewed by the recruiting team in batches based on testing needs and member counts.

In addition to filling out the required information, please also attach two replays of games you've played recently.

Some people asked me to repost a response I wrote about 6.68 development from a forum thread:



With regards to the video trailer, I was originally planning to post it well in advance of the map release but I've decided to hold off on making it until more content is finalized. I'll post previews here when the map is mostly ready.