The Dota 2 International 2024 Compendium has brought back the custom Effigies feature to the game. Alongside the release of the Compendium on Aug. 22, every hero now has a customizable effigy slot in their loadout.
Each hero in Dota 2 comes with a default Effigy, a large stone representation of themselves. However, players can also craft their own custom Effigy using Effigy Blocks. These custom Effigies can be personalized with different cosmetics, poses, animations, and even an inscription that can be viewed in-game.
As a bonus within the Compendium, players can now obtain the 2024 Effigy Block. This marks the first time since 2016 that new Effigy crafting materials have been introduced to the game.
Exploring the world of Effigies
Image Credit: Valve
Effigy buildings are located in each team’s base behind the tier three towers and barracks. When destroyed, Effigies provide a small amount of gold and can only be targeted after the lane’s Barracks have been destroyed.
Custom Effigies were initially introduced to Dota 2 in 2014, with Effigy crafting items like Effigy Blocks commonly found in compendiums until 2016. Despite being scarce, players could still acquire unique Effigies through the Weekend Battle Cup.
Effigies have now become a sought-after cosmetic item, leading to a surge in activity on the Steam Marketplace.
The rising value of Effigy Blocks in Dota 2
Following the introduction of the Effigy slot, prices for existing and new Effigy crafting blocks have skyrocketed. For example, the Effigy Block of The International 2016 has seen a price increase from $0.03 to nearly $0.45.
Even more significant is the Golden Effigy Block of The International 2015, currently listed between $11 and $20, with one recently sold for $6.57. This surge in prices marks the highest value ever seen for an Effigy in the marketplace.
Golden Effigy Block of The International 2015’s price surge. Image Credit: Valve
This sudden increase in value is fueled by the rarity of Effigies in the past. With the last Effigy Block released in 2016, Dota 2 players are eager to explore this unique cosmetic option that was previously unavailable to many.
