Dota 2 will have LAN mode : Erik Johnson

It's official guys. Dota 2 will have LAN mode. This comes straight from Erik Johnson (Valves Market Director of Operations). So it can't be termed as a rumor anymore. Check out the complete interview here.

DotA 6.73c AI Status + DotA 6.72f AI v1.2 Translations

Some good news folks! PBMN posted an update on his blog regarding AI for the latest map, DotA 6.73c.  Although he didn't mention a release date, there is one thing for sure - work is in progress and we are definitely getting DotA 6.73c AI.

There was also mention of adding translations to his latest AI release, DotA 6.72f AI v1.2. Translations are now available for the following:

• English
• Filipino
• Chinese
• Russian
• Greek
• German
• Português - Bra
• Spanish

To get the download links for the maps, click  here.

Dota 2 Key Giveaway : 20 keys to be won

All right folks. I'm back with another Dota 2 giveaway. It's not from me, but from a community that is as passionate about Dota 2 as we are.

Elite Gamerz is staging it's own Dota 2 Key Giveaway for one whole month. 20 participants have a chance of winning the elusive prize - A Dota 2 key. Of course, you'll have to register at their forums and follow certain rules, but anything for a Dota 2 key, right? For more details and rules, visit their site at Dota 2 Beta Key Giveaway

DotA 6.73c Released : Bug Fixes & Nerfs

A new version of the latest map just got released to address some bug fixes and some nerfs. You can get it from GetDota. The changelog is as follows:


* Fire Remnant activation cost increased from 100 to 150
* Flame Guard magic barrier reduced from 150/300/450/600 to 100/250/400/550
* Moment of Courage cooldown increased from 0.75 to 0.9
* Chakram manacost over time reduced from 20/30/40 to 20/25/30

* Removed all Christmas themed additions
* Fixed death timer not showing properly
* Fixed a crash that happens on PowerPC Mac systems when playing online
* Fixed a rare bug that could cause Ember Spirit to be unable to move 
* More map optimizations 

* Fixed Aghanim Tiny Illusions appearing as unupgraded Tiny
* Fixed rare bugs with Sleight of Fist and Hex
* Fixed sound effect on Skywrath Mage's attack projectile
* Fixed visual effect for Rod of Atos's slow not showing
* Fixed various tooltips
* Fixed Ring of Aquila shared disable icon
* Fixed a very minor visual glitch with Tranquil Boots item cooldown causing non-active items to look in cooldown
* Fixed Shadow Demon's scoreboard icon
* Fixed a bug with Tranquil boots and Aghanim Meepo
* Fixed Orchid recipe shop hotkey
* Fixed Chakram continuing to deal damage after game is over 

DotA 6.73b Released : Bug Fixes

A new version of the latest map just got released to address some bug fixes. You can get it from GetDota.com. The changelog is as follows:

* Couriers are now invulnerable near their fountain
* Fixed Santa Hats on Illusions
* Fixed Tiny's Tree visuals when he gets cycloned
* Fixed first hit with Sleight of Fist being unable to bash
* Fixed a big exploit with Fire Remnants that could cause it to do dramatically more damage than intended
* Removed Pudge Santa
* Fixed Meepo clones not respawning with full mana
* Fixed Stone Giant's Aghanim bonus stacking with multiple instances
* Fixed Whirling Death damage tooltip
* Fixed Zeal HP regeneration
* Fixed Meepo's interaction with Tranquility Boots
* Fixed attack range on Legion Commander and Goblin Shredder being slightly off
* Fixed Goblin Shredder's agility and intelligence growth values being off
* Fixed Skywrath Mage not triggering Land Mines
* Fixed a bug with Sleight of Fist and Manta Style
* Duel can now only target heroes (it didn't do anything on non-heroes already)

DotA 6.72f AI v1.2 Map Download

It's double bonanza this Christmas. First we had DotA 6.73 released and now PBMN just updated DotA 6.72f AI v1.1 to DotA 6.72f AI v1.2. There are bug fixes in this version. Also, he did mention about working on 6.73 AI in the new year. So it's official. We're gonna have AI for the latest map too, but it will take some time.

Nonetheless, here is the changelog for DotA 6.72f v1.2:

1. Fixed: Windrunner group lost bug removed.
2. Fixed: Some minor tweak in aiming func.
3. Fixed: Human KotL auto-using Recall.
4. Fixed: Delay bug in AIAttackedByHumanHero
5. Added storing of learn and use skills by heroes.
6. Fixed: Magnus' not using Reverse.
7. Fixed: Magnus' itembuild.
8. Applied range check to Sprout (Furion's) and Shackle (Rhasta, plus disable check). Now both won't use the spell against enemy out of range -> no rambo mode, no missed Sprout.
9. Tauren now use ability to join with idle spirit.
10. Fixed: KotL Illuminate, added extra use.
11. Improved AI: usage of SandKing's Burrowstrike and Epi-Blink.
12. Little improvement on Shadowfiend's Shadow Raze
13. Undid all fake abilities, changing base order instead. (Troll's Ranged Whirling Axe, Batrider's Firebreak, Phoenix' Sun Ray)
14. Fixed: Akasha not using ulti.
15. Fixed: incorrect SunRay order.
16. Fixed: Lone Druid not using Rabid and some bug in Battlecry usage.
17. Fixed: problems in channel-based skills.
18. Fixed: some bugs related to skill learning, esp. Huskar.
19. Meld should not decrease building's armor anymore.
20. Fair aggro attempt. Orb attack do not count as attack.
21. Fixed: Leshrac's AI (now use Edict and Nova properly)
22. Applied the "free mode" to AI's scroll of town portal (supposedly decrease tp-cancel probability).
23. AI Assault Cuirass Recipe fix: 1500 -> 1300

Download Link:

DotA 6.72f AI v1.2 - English

Mirror Link:

DotA 6.72f AI v1.2 - English

DotA 6.73 Map Released : 4 New Heroes + New Loading Screen

IceFrog said he would release DotA 6.73 and he kept his promise. DotA 6.73 has been officially released for download a few hours ago. The biggest change is the addition of 4 new heroes. Get your copy now by going to GetDota website.

If GetDota website is down, no worries. I've uploaded the file to File Serve. You can download the file by clicking the below link:

File name: DotA v6.73.w3x
File size:7.86 MB
For the record, here is the changelog. Let me warn you though - it's a huge list:

Read More...

Dota 2 Beta Invitation : Winner Announced

The time has come to declare the winner. Thank you all for your participation. Unfortunately, there can only be one winner. I ran the numbers through random.org and came up with the winning entry.

Congratulations Aziz. You won yourself an invitation. Please check your email for further instructions.

To others: I'll be running future competitions as and when I get my hands on more keys/invitations. So don't lose hope. You'll eventually get in, just hang in there.