It’s been over 5 months since the announcement of the new Dota hero at the International, but we still don’t have a confirmed release date for Ringmaster in Dota 2. Valve has only provided vague promises in their blog updates about the Crownfall patch. So when can we expect Ringmaster to finally enter the game?
Credit: Dota 2 / Valve
Patch Updates Through Valve Blogs
Valve periodically releases blogs on their official website to inform us about the game’s status, upcoming patches, and the professional Dota scene.
October 29th – Ringmaster was unveiled during The International grand finals opening ceremony with a projected release in early 2024.
February 13th – A Reddit datamine uncovered hints about Ringmaster’s release alongside the delayed Crownfall patch.
March 6th – New updates, such as Dota Labs, were introduced with no mention of Crownfall or Ringmaster.
March 21st – Patch 7.35d brought new banning and matchmaking fixes. Valve confirmed Crownfall’s release in mid-April.
Therefore, the current Dota 2 Ringmaster release date is set for mid-April.
While this timeline is somewhat unclear, judging by Valve’s previous track record, fans might not see the patch until after the ESL One Birmingham Major.
Professional Dota and Patch Releases
If Ringmaster does arrive in mid-April, it’s important to note that the hero won’t immediately be available in Captain’s Mode. Typically, a new hero undergoes testing in pub games for 6 months to a year before being allowed in professional matches.
Valve has been known to drop patches right before or during tournaments, but this time, Crownfall likely won’t significantly affect play in Birmingham. The 7.35d patch was only released a month before the Major, making it unlikely that another gameplay patch will coincide with the event.
Last year, Valve announced the end of battle passes to shift focus away from The International and attract new players. Releasing the Crownfall patch alongside the ESL One Birmingham Major would create a similar in-game event during a major tournament.
We hope the wait won’t be much longer. Mid-April may be vague, but it’s just around the corner.
