Valve has officially announced the arrival of a new Dota hero, Ringmaster, at TI12. Although details are scarce at the moment, more information is expected to be revealed in the coming months.
In a video released just before the TI12 Grand Finals, Valve confirmed that Ringmaster will be released in early 2024. The video showcased Axe in a spooky circus-themed forest, chasing a mechanical circus jungle creep. This has led to speculation that the new hero may have a trap element. In the end, Axe was lured into a Test Your Strength game and swiftly killed by Ringmaster emerging from an Iron Maiden-like structure.
The promotional image for Ringmaster features a circus theme and mocks several heroes including Monkey King, Kunkka, Axe, Mirana, and Keeper of the Light. While this doesn't provide many clues, it suggests that Ringmaster will likely be a melee hero, possibly with extendable mechanical arms. Given that the previous hero, Muerta, was a ranged intelligence carry, Dota fans can anticipate a new melee hero.
Valve has exciting plans in store for Dota fans in the upcoming year, and only time will reveal the full extent of the changes.
