Dota 6.58 Got Delayed (a bit..)

Wow, actually IceFrog was planned to release Dota 6.58 on New Year Day. But some bugs prevent him to do so :( But rest assured, he said he will release it in few days. So hold tight  guys, because there will be item remake and hero remake awaited on Dota 6.58.

Here is the complete post from IceFrog's blog:

DotA has come a long way in the past year. With more and more users playing and providing feedback every day, I'm sure that 2009 will be another good year for DotA. One of the things I will focus on this year will be improving the quality of existing content. I will certainly still be adding new content, but I will also spend more effort to make the current game play experiences more enjoyable for all.

I have been working hard on 6.58 and was hoping to complete it for New Year's Day, but I don't think I will be able to finish it in time. There are still some issues that need further testing. I want to make sure the quality is high, so I think I will need at least a few more days to work on it. This update will have some frequently requested hero and item remakes, balance improvements, some bug fixes and more. I have also spent a lot of time on core code rewrites for further performance improvements so that players with older machines can also fully enjoy the game.

If there is anything specific you want me to make sure I address before 6.58 is released, let me know. Once I get this update released, I will probably be able to do a little more blogging and another round of Q&A.

Source: http://www.icefrog.com/content/happy-new-year

Dota 6.58 Item Remake - Divine Rapier?

Well, IceFrog is leaking another changes on Dota 6.58. On his another blog post, he is clearly said that there will be hero remake - Storm Spirit Remake - and item remake on Dota 6.58. But he didn't say which item(s) will be altered. But from my personal point of view, i have some strong candidates.

That will be:

1. Divine Rapier - Strongest candidate. Well, when was your last time you this item in your game. I even forgot when.. ~_~" 
   
2. Blade Mail - Very situational items. The only condition i saw this is when Centaur Warchief wear it to rape Mortred
3. Cranium Basher - Popular items on Pubs. But i never saw this in competitive game..

Of course that's only my personal opinion :) What about you? Have any guesses which item will be changed? Share it here :)

Happy New Year 2009!

Happy new year!
Wish 2009 bring us more joy and fun! (and more hero ;p)

Dota 6.58 Beta - Storm Spirit Panda Remake Preview

At last, Dota 6.58 Beta legal information is out. This info is come from IceFrog directly so you don't have to worry that it's fake. The next hero to be changed on Dota-Allstars 6.58 is (like the title said), Storm Panda. Icefrog didn't release his changes yet, but he give several picture about his new skills. I guess he want to make us more excited ^_^

Here is the complete picture Storm Panda Remake Preview on Dota-Allstars 6.58 Beta.









Wow, i think he will have a lot of skills remake. Unfortunately, IceFrog don't give any hint about his new skills. But this make me more excited waiting for Dota 6.58 :)

Don't afraid this is 100% not fake as IceFrog himself posted this on IceFrog Blog ^_^
Source: http://www.icefrog.com/content/christmas-storm-spirit

Update:
Dota Freak is showing us the new skill of Storm Spirit,

Skill 1 Static Remnant
creates an invisible immobile copy of storm spirit that deals damage when enemy touches. Reveals the fog of war 800 aoe around the copy.
70 manacost

skill 2 Electric fortex
Binds enemy with electricity, pulling it very slowly to storm but storm moves slow to. last maybe 2 seconds.
110 manacost(if im not mistaken)

skill 3 overload
Not sure about this but every time i cast spell, the overload triggers. It gives the aoe slow and extra damage.

Ultimate Ball Lightning
0 cooldown blink. Cut trees around storm as he land. Very mana consuming. with full mana he could blink through half of the map. 50 damage for every enemies that he passes through when using this.

I don't if it's true or not because i haven't received the map. But by looking in the pictures, it looks real. I hope you send me the Dota 6.58 beta map soon so i can confirm it :)

IceFrog Release a Blog!

Wow, at last IceFrog is releasing a blog.Just like BuffMePlz with his Dota AI blog (buffmeplz.blogspot.com), IceFrog is also make a blog with his name (www.icefrog.com).

This gonna be cool. You can check various things there, including interview with IceFrog, Dota 6.58 Beta preview and some other great things. But the bad thing is, you only can view your comment there :( But rest assured, every time IceFrog release great news from his blog, i will also cover it here so we can discuss about it:)

Goblin Techies Guides (Basic)

Do you love to play Goblin Techies? Or you always interested on playing him but afraid to messed up your teams and called noob? Well, i think this video will help you! It's really great for you who want to try Techies but doesn't have experience with him. Techies is a unique character, but it still can be learned with some effort. Just learn from for this video :)



Actually, Goblin Techies play style is rather unique and rarely changes. Even in the future Dota 6.58, i believe his game play is still the same. The recent ward nerf on Dota 6.57b also really help him. And back to the video, how about it? Feel better? Or you didn't agree and have other suggestion? Just share it here :)

Playing Cloud Strife on Dota-Allstars 6.57b

Cloud Strife is joined the Dota-Allstars hero list? Wow, what makes IceFrog change his mind? But no, it's BuffMePlz with his Dota 6.57b AI Incremental Map that include Cloud and several custom heroes on his map. That's why BMP didn't post this map on Dota-Allstars forums, because there's so many new things he add, including new items (i call it tier 5 Dota items) and a lot of new heroes.

You can choose a lot of heroes now from the fun tavern. Including characters from Final Fantasy, Starcraft and more.

Check the requirement for the items, it's really expensive. I think it deserve to called tier 5 items.

Here is the more details on fun tavern heroes i got from Overflow

1) Final Fantasy (Cloud Strife, Templar, Beowulf's Spellblade, Dragonkin Reis, Cleric)
2) Beowulf (Templar's name refers to an old English heroic poem, also a movie)
3) Star Trek (Ensign Ricky, Terran)
4) Starcraft (Koprulu Sector, Terran)
5) Heroes of Might and Magic (Cleric, Nighon, Erathia, Loynis)
6) Puff the Magic Dragon (an old song, the hero's description is the starting lyrics except for the eating part xD)
7) Boomerwang (possible movie reference)
8) Petey the Penguin

Interesting? Check the Dota 6.57b AIplus 20081215 for the download link. Lot of new things ready to entertain you while waiting for Dota 6.58 :)

Update: Newer Map : DotA Allstars 6.57b AI+ 1.52 (20090112)

Dota Theme Manager Christmas Edition (DTM XMAS) Released!

Wow, Infrisios really spoiled us. After release the Dota Theme Manager 3 just a while ago, now he's releasing Dota Theme Manager Christmas. Way to go! Well, i haven't try it yet, so i cannot post some picture right now. But i believe that Infrisios never let us down with his masterpieces.

Here is the download link for Dota Theme Manager Christmas:

DTM XMAS Edition - Rapidshare
DTM XMAS Edition - MediaFire

If you have installed it, feel free to post some picture. I will really appreciate it :)

Credits: Chal, thanks for notifying me ;)

Dota-Allstars 6.57b AIplus 1.52 Update (20081215)

BuffMePlz is releasing Dota-Allstars 6.57b AIplus 1.52 update, but not yet an official release. Therefore, i will call it Dota-Allstars 6.57b AIplus 1.52 20081215 just like the file name. Even though this map is not yet official, i think this map is provide more bug fixes than the previous Dota 6.57b AI, Dota 6.57b AIplus revision 2.

Here is the changelogs:
Changelog (12/15/2008)
==================
-Restored resource preloading on Invoker
-Lowered manacost on Direct Vengeance (Avatar of Vengeance)
-Fixed the position of Leragas the Vile on the Scourge side
-Rewrote Fly (Bat Rider) to address a few bugs

*Formless fixes
-Added a small cast point value for Formless to fix a timing issue between spell cast and effect trigger events
-Fixed a bug with copying Meld
-Fixed some issues with behaviour when copying Feral Heart and Spin Web with Formless
-Fixed some bugs with activating Reset while Freezing Field or abilities based on immolation are active
-Illuminate on Formless is now channeling (instead of the Spirit Form version)
-Aftershock or Static Field on Formless no longer trigger on "fluff" spells (only a spell that would remove Curse of the Silent will trigger it)
-Formless can now copy Impetus, Glaives of Wisdom, Last Word, Phantom Edge, Spell Shield, Flesh Heap, Overload, Burning Spear, Berserker's Blood, Refraction, Soul Assumption, Gravekeeper's Cloak, Blur, Split Shot (Medusa), Crippling Fear, Hunter in the Night, Devour, Backtrack, Storm Seeker, Feast, Time Lapse, Frostmourne, Borrowed Time, Dispersion (Spectre), Arcane Orb, Essence Aura, Heartstopper Aura, Kraken Shell, Stygwyr's Thirst
-Implemented a system that prevents Formless from copying two skills with the same base order
-Added new command -override that removes the aforementioned base order check

*Unofficial fixes
-Fixed Last Word to trigger on end of spell cast (instead of end of spell cast animation)
-Cleaned up the way Refraction buff icons appear to provide better feedback on when the buffs are actually active
-Fixed the tooltip for Storm Seeker

Download link:
Dota-Allstars 6.57b AIplus 1.52 20081215 via Warcraft Map
Dota-Allstars 6.57b AIplus 1.52 20081215 via Mediafire

I think this map is more bug free, especially if you like to play Formless ;) You can check his post about this map here. Thanks BuffMePlz! It helps me killing time on long awaited Dota 6.58 ^_^

Update: DotA Allstars 6.57b AI+ 1.52 (20090112)

League of Legends, the Independent Dota-Allstars

League of Legends, the Independent Dota-Allstars. Do you familiar with Guinsoo? Of course you dumb, every Dota player should know that Guinsoo is a tier 4 Dota items that can turn you into chicken ^_^ But no, the one i'm talking here is Guinsoo as the former developer of Dota. If you haven't know, Dota is made by Eul and then inherited by Guinsoo. After that, it is IceFrog turn to take the throne until now. Eul's Scepter of Divinity and Guinsoo's Scythe of Vyse is a tribute made for them.

So what's the matter with Guinsoo? Here's come the interesting part. Guinsoo with his team now is making an Independent version of Dota-Allstars. As you may already know, Dota-Allstars is a Warcraft 3 custom map and must be played with it. And Guinsoo intention is make Dota-Allstars genre into a single game, League of Legends.

You can see the trailers about it in this video:



And you can check some stuff in League of Legends official site, www.leagueoflegends.com. Right now you have a chances to win a Beta key every day just by posting on it's forums (randomly select). So, if you feel lucky why don't give it a check :) And yeah, League of Legends released plan is on January 2009. Can't wait for it :)

Dota 6.57b Bug - Dota-Allstars 6.57b Bug

Dota 6.57b Bug - Dota-Allstars 6.57b Bug. The bug is on Lanaya, yet again.. If you forgot, you can check the post about Dota 6.49b Lanaya bug. But this time the bug is not quite game breaking because it is hard to apply on the real game. But nevertheless, here's the bug on Dota 6.57b i found.

Lanaya Bug

The Lanaya bug is abusing the Pyscho Blade skills. So if you attack an enemy and then immediately using damage item(like Dagon) in the same unit, the unit behind them wil also get the same damage. But this is kinda hard to apply in the real game, except if you want to take a risk build Dagon-Lanaya ^__^

Aegis on dummy unit

Some of you maybe already know that certain spell requires dummy unit. The video show that the dummy unit is indeed exist and can even acquire Aegis of the Immortal ;p This bug is only for fun and not abusable ^_^

Now, have you found another Dota 6.57b bug? Share it here :) And don't forget to report it to IceFrog so it can be fixed on the future Dota 6.58.

Edit: Looks like the Lanaya Bug is not a Bug, that's exactly the way it works. Maybe because some of us didn't know (including me ^_^"), i'm miss judging it as a bug. You can check it here.
Thanks for the clarification guys :)

Level 1 Roshan Kills on Dota 6.57b with Spinning Technique

Level 1 Roshan Kills on Dota 6.57b with Spinning Technique. The recent changes on Roshan is make us possible to kill him when we're still on level 1 and even before the creeps spawn. The question is what the advantages for early Roshan kill.

Well, it pretty much worth it. When you attempt to kill Roshan and leave the last hit to just one hero and all the other hero get out from the exp range, that hero will be level up to level 5 and even 6 in -em mode! Note that it will be a great difference when the other hero is still level 1. But of course, there's a risk that the enemy will be gank you if they are realize it.

And after searching for information, i found some interesting technique to kill Roshan. That is the spinning technique! Yeah,the name said it all. With this, you can make Roshan spinning around without hitting you for several seconds. Well, i think a video is more descriptive than thousand words. Here it is:



Actually this video is a contest in Bored Aussie, but i take this as a proof and example that actually you CAN kill Roshan even before the creeps spawn. The spinning technique i said is when the Lycan solo Roshan. The basic rule is you team work and Heroes that can summon to tank the damage. I even found Level 1 Roshan kills in the pub games already. What do you think? Ever try it? ^___^

Funny Dota Video (When the Gank Went Wrong)

Just saw this funny dota video. Well, actually it's just a piece of the game. But it's really funny ^__^ See it yourself :)


Link: http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=sug9JEIJZW4

Morale of the story: Communication is important ;p

Incohatus the Formless mini-guide (by Overflow)

Well, since there's so many interest about Incohatus the Formles, i will include Overflow_GR's mini guide here. This guide is covering some aspect of Incohatus. But importantly, this mini guide provide list of hero skills that you can/cannot copy or some restriction and even abuse :D

Incohatus has no permanent form, but has learned to adapt to the ever-changing field of battle. He has the ability to replicate most spells perfectly, allowing him to use other heroes' abilities against themselves. With this strategy, Incohatus opens up a whole new world of possibilities, allowing him to take the best and worst of all the abilities his allies and enemies have to offer.

Strength - 15 + 1.5
Agility - 14 + 1.3
Intelligence - 27 + 3.5
Attack range of 500.
Movement speed of 300.

There are 3 important things to remember about his skills.

1) The level of the skill copied depends completely on Formless' own skill level. If Formless has a level 4 Unus and uses it on Pudge, it gets a level 4 Meat Hook even if Pudge hasn't fully upgraded it (or even learned it at all).

2) Don't copy skills that use the same base skill. Having both Arc Lightning and Laguna Blade in your skillset will result in using Arc Lightning when trying to use Laguna Blade if both skills are ready.

3) Denique is upgraded with Aghanim's Scepter. Definitely something to consider if there's a powerful ultimate in the game (think Witch Doctor).

Skill build
You should determine your skill build/item build/strategy based directly on ally and enemy hero picks.

Item build
The only items that are always good for Formless are Boots, Bracers/Nulls, Guinsoo's. Anything else is luxury and up to your own judgment of each game.

Combos!
The possibilities are endless. Even if you don't think that your allies and enemies have skills worth copying, you'll be amazed at the results of some combinations. You don't have to learn something as crazy as Meat Hook - Blink - Maledict - Rupture to be effective.

Uncopied Skills (you cannot copy these skills)
* Impetus
* Morph (old & new)
* Great Cleave
* Synergy
* True Form
* Moon Glaive
* Take Aim
* Berserker Rage
* Quill Spray
* Bristleback
* Warpath
* Primal Split
* Dragon's Blood
* Elder Dragon Form
* Spell Shield
* Glaives of Wisdom
* Last Word
* Spirit Form
* Multicast
* Phantom Edge
* Grow
* Chemical Rage
* Overload
* Burning Spear
* Berserker's Blood
* Refraction
* Meld (copying this gives you a permanent passive +20% ms skill that you can't get rid of blink.gif)
* Psionic Blades
* Tidebringer
* Split Shot (new)
* Crippling Fear
* Hunter in the Night
* Devour
* Backtrack
* Corrosive Skin
* Storm Seeker
* Feast (old & new)
* Infest
* Metamorphosis
* Witchcraft
* Mighty Swing
* Soul Assumption
* Gravekeeper's Cloak
* Shapeshift
* Blur
* Kraken Shell
* Anchor Smash
* Flesh Heap
* Geminate Attack
* Time Lapse
* Shadowraze
* Necromastery
* Presence of the Dark Lord
* Requiem of Souls
* Strygwyr's Thirst
* Frostmourne
* Borrowed Time
* Dispersion (old & new)
* Arcane Orb
* Essence Aura
* Poof
* Divided We Stand
* Heartstopper Aura
* Quas (old & new)
* Wex (old & new)
* Exort (old & new)
* Invoke (old & new)
* Spellsteal
* Permanent Invisibility (old)
* Death Ward (old)
* Necrogenesis
* Ante Up
* Pulverize
* Fly

Shared skills (the skill is using same base skill, hence using one of them result on using both of them)

Storm Bolt based
* Magic Missile
* Lightning Bolt
* Storm Bolt
* Omnislash
* Fireblast
* Assassinate
* Dragon Tail
* Mana Void
* Primal Roar
* Void
* Open Wounds
* Reaper's Scythe
* Poison Touch
* Time Void

Forked Lightning based
* Nether Swap
* Forked Lightning

Chain Lightning based
* Arc Lightning
* Laguna Blade
* Wrath of Nature
* Lightning Storm
* Chain Lightning
* Brain Sap
* Charge of Darkness
* Culling Blade
* Aphotic Shield
* Paralyzing Casks
* Astral Imprisonment

Thunder Clap based
* Thundergod's Wrath
* Earthshock
* Thunder Clap

Locust Swarm based
* Nature's Attendants
* Exorcism

Carrion Swarm based
* Waveform
* Dragon Slave
* Wild Axes
* Dual Breath
* Lightning Grapple
* Carrion Swarm
* Sonic Wave
* Timewalk
* Tidal Wave

Acid Bomb Based
* Adaptive Strike
* Curse of the Silent
* Ignite (old)
* Gush
* Ignite (new)

Mirror Image based
* Mirror Image
* Phantasm

Fan of Knives based
* Echo Slam
* Heat Seeking Missile
* Scream of Pain
* Death Pulse

Blizzard based
* Smoke Screen
* Avalanche
* Scattershot
* Acid Spray
* Dream Coil
* Rocket Flare
* Torrent
* Maledict
* Sanity's Eclipse
* Upheaval
* Earthbind
* Weave
* Expulsion
* Vacuum

Summon Bear based
* Summon Spirit Bear
* Diabolic Edict
* Poison Nova
* Nether Ward

Bloodlust based
* Rabid
* Bloodlust
* Surge

Berserk based
* Ultimate
* Enrage
* Rampage
* Sprint
* Strafe
* Frenzy

Inner Fire based
* Living Armor
* Dark Ritual
* Empower
* Death Pact
* Enfeeble

Charm based
* Conversion
* Holy Persuasion
* Epicenter (WTF, this should be in Channel blink.gif)

Drunken Haze based
* Laser
* Penitence
* Drunken Haze
* Incapacitating Bite (buffing issue)

Windwalk based
* Doppelwalk
* Wind Walk
* Leap
* Vendetta
* Shukuchi

Cripple based
* Sprout
* Sunder
* Grave Chill

Serpent Ward based
* Remote Mines
* Mass Serpent Wards
* Plague Ward

Firebolt based
* Lucent Beam
* Double Edge
* Chaos Bolt
* Lvl? Death
* Flameshot

Aerial Shackles based
* Shackles
* Fiend's Grip
* Dismember

War Stomp based
* Hoof Stomp
* Reverse Polarity
* Slithereen Crush
* Ravage
* War Stomp

Breath of Fire based
* Breathe Fire
* Ice Path

Frost Armor based
* Purification
* Frost Armor

Shockwave based
* Macropyre
* Shockwave

Immolation based (note: You can activate them all and get all their benefits, but only one of them will be dealing damage)
* Electric Rave
* Pulse Nova
* Rot
* Voodoo Restoration

Drain Life/Mana based
* Soul Steal
* Mana Drain
* Life Drain

Inferno based
* Split Earth
* Spin Web

Sleep based
* Chain Frost
* Nightmare

Carrion Beetles based
* Raise Revenant
* Watcher
* Carrion Beetles

Rain of Fire based
* Firestorm
* Fire Storm

Channel based (1st category)
* Freezing Field
* Song of the Siren
* Fissure
* Blink Strike
* Global Silence
* Overgrowth
* Midnight Pulse
* Illuminate
* Rearm
* Toss
* Hand of God
* Eclipse
* Viscous Nasal Goo
* Unstable Concoction
* Starfall
* Waning Rift
* Battery Assault
* Conjure Image
* Howl
* Meat Hook
* Nether Strike
* Burrowstrike
* Berserker's Call
* Dark Rift

Channel based (2nd category)
* Malefice
* Mana Leak
* Elune's Arrow
* Illusory Orb
* Powershot
* Ghost Ship
* Stifling Dagger
* Death Coil
* Spectral Dagger

Channel based (3rd category)
* March of the Machines
* Psionic Trap
* Wall of Replica

Channel based (4th category)
* Test of Faith
* Inner Vitality
* Fatal Bonds
* Plague
* Ion Shell

Hope this can help you guys :)
Source: Overflow's mini-guide to Formless