Thursday, January 29, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Tauren Chieftain Introduced on Dota 6.60
While we don't know what kind of Tauren Chieftain will be made, there's already several idea about Tauren Chieftain on Suggestion Forums of Dota-Allstars. You can check the Marn Thunderhorn the Tauren Chieftain idea from Rindurion or another Tauren Chieftain from bama21.
This is the previous IceFrog interview about Tauren Chieftain and the latest things in Dota.
Q&A Session #1
Submitted by IceFrog on Wed, 12/24/2008 - 22:14
Q: Tauren Chieftain is very popular in China, but he's the only hero model from the original WC3 which doesn't show up in DotA. Do you have any plans to revive him? (by replays.net)
A: Absolutely! That is one of my favorite models as well. There have been a few concepts that I considered for a beta version but nothing good enough to do the model justice. I am still working on some other ideas for it and am hoping to have a new hero with this model in the near future.
Q: Are you going to do any mystery quests like the previous Invoker quest?
A: I can't say when I'll do it, because it would ruin the surprise, but I do try to do some fun side quests every now and then. You can expect one in the next few versions ;)
Q: You published your email address in the DotA loading screen. How many emails do you get there every day and what is the craziest email you have ever received? (by dota-league.com)
A: Quite a lot of emails come through, but it varies a lot from day to day. Yesterday was many hundreds. I do my best to read and reply to as many of them as I can. I feel that if a user takes the time out to write an email to let me know his thoughts, I should try to do the same. It also helps me to understand some of the concerns players have or things they would like to see. There are some funny emails for sure, but i'm not sure it is appropriate to share private messages :)
Q: What kind of bugs happen in beta testing?
A: We have lots of different bugs that come up ranging from minor issues to game-wide memory corruptions that can cause a map to be delayed. There was a very funny but easy to fix bug that happened recently. Some neutrals spots had a chance to spawn as a hero tavern instead of the neutral. You can only imagine the expression on the beta tester's face when they go neutraling only to find a hero tavern instead! Another funny bug was Lucifer being able to Devour the enemy fountain.
Q: Many Asian players complain that map updating is too frequent and they aren't familiar enough with the present version when another update is already released. What do you think about this? (by SGamer.com)
A: Some players like new updates often, while others prefer to settle on a specific version for a longer period of time. I think the main difference is actually with regards to what type of changes they are, rather than just the frequency of them. It is a complex issue that I am trying to deal with in order to strike the right balance between the two and to ensure fluid game play from version to version while providing refreshing content without making it too unsettling for players at the same time. This is something I frequently consider and will continue to give it more focus in the future because I also hear these kinds of comments regularly.
Q: When do you start working on a new version?
A: There is no waiting or rest period actually, I am always working on Dota. The first beta of the next version (with some experimental things) is always posted for testers the same day as when the new patch is released.
Q: When can we expect 6.58?
A: The short answer is the usual "when it's ready" line. I've learned from the past that it is very difficult to accurately give a date because you cannot predict when bugs will happen and what other issues come up. Another problem is that when the date isn't met, fans are upset because they waited for it. It is certainly past its half way point as far as development goes, but for a specific date I will have to defer to "soon" for now.
Q: I have a question, how do I ask it?
A: The best way is to send me an email, which is listed on the DotA loading screen, or to use the contact form at http://www.icefrog.com/contact. I will either respond directly as soon as I can or use it for a future Q&A Session.
Update:
IceFrog is making a poll to decide the Tauren Chieftain name. C'mon guys, let's vote between these names ;) (personally, i choose number 1 ^^)
Cairne Bloodhoof
Nodin Stonetotem
Laoghaire Longstride
Taur Thunderhorn
Geir Goldmane
Kaz Stonebul
You can vote Tauren Chieftain name directly on IceFrog Blog.
Source: IceFrog Interview
Update: Check the Tauren Chieftain Guide as of official Dota-Allstars 6.60 map
Dota 6.59 Official Map - Dota-Allstars 6.59 Download
Here is the complete Dota 6.59 changelogs:
* Some performance improvements
* You can no longer attack items you do not own if they are in the fountain area
* Fixed some rare memory corruption bugs that could cause random abilities/items to malfunction or result in a fatal error
* Added a new subtle cooldown effect to make it a little clearer when spells are in cooldown and when they finish. This is mainly for long cooldown spells where it is sometimes difficult to tell. More work will be done in this area soon, but it needs a bit more time to make sure that anything extra is not visually intrusive. (PGRu-Unexpect3D)
* Reworked Enigma's Conversion (see details below)
* Fixed a bug with Towers AI not defending heroes properly
* Reduced Ironwood Branch cost from 57 to 53 gold
* Increased Blademail duration from 4 to 5 seconds
* Improved Chaos Knight's cast point
* Added a new experimental mode -er (-ExperimentalRunes, see details below)
* Improved Surge duration from 2/3.5/5/6.5 to 3/4.5/6/7.5 seconds
* Decreased Wrath of Nature manacost from 200/380/610 to 150/175/200
* Improved Antimage's Strength by 2 points
* Increased model size of hexed units a bit
* Increased Curse of the Silent AOE and reduced cooldown slightly
* Decreased Powershot cooldown from 12 to 9 seconds
* Decreased Lightning Storm cooldown from 7 to 6 seconds
* Fixed Acid Spray from affecting Tombstone Zombies
* Spectral Dagger no longer gives vision
* Rebalanced Necrolyte's Heartstopper from 250/500/750/1000 AOE with 1% drain to 700/800/900/1000 AOE with 0.5/0.75/1/1.25% drain
* Increased Fury Swipes buff duration from 3 to 5 seconds
* Fixed an issue with unit selection when respawning with Aegis while controlling other units
* When a player leaves, the state of his inventory is now recorded in the replay for easier parsing (Same 8_# actions)
* Improved Eidolons magic resistance a bit
* Fixed some minor technical issues with Mask of Madness
* Fixed scoreboard player names when a player switches with a leaver
* Switch no longer works when only 1 person agrees in a 1v1 situation
* Fixed Zombies continuing to spawn when the game is over
* Fixed Eidolon Acquire range and reduced collision size a bit
* Fixed -switch with frozen leaver heroes
* Abaddon now uses the Death Knight model instead of the Evil Arthas one (practically the same, but commonly requested)
* You now have vision over the area you cast Blackhole in (260562)
* Fixed Aegis dropping when using -switch
* Ball Lightning now gives a proper error message when casting without the required mana
* Fixed allied hero visibility when using -switch in -ah mode
* When players swap heroes, the new player/heroid data for replay parsers are updated
* Changed the model on Eidolons and adjusted the scales a bit
* Fixed some issues with Blackhole's silence mechanism when applied to magic immune units
* Fixed some bugs when using -switch with Meepo
Demonic Conversion:
=====================
Splits any non-hero unit into three Eidolons, killing the targeted unit.
Eidolon's can duplicate themselves once whenever they attack 6 times.
Lesser Eidolon/Eidolon/Greater Eidolon/Dire Eidolon (Same as before)
Cooldown: 35
Manacost: 170
Notes: It cannot target Level 5+ Neutral Creeps
Experimental Runes
====================
This temporary mode changes the rune system to a more experimental one. I will be changing how -er works from version to version to try out different ideas. I don't plan on any one version of the new runes to replace the current system directly, so do not panic Instead, it will be used as something to create discussion, spark ideas, find flaws and playtest different concepts over time.
How -er works for this version: Runes spawn simultaneously on both sides at 3 minute intervals (instead of 2). Again I have no plans to make this permanant.
Notes: I wanted to release this sooner rather than later because of some important code fixes. I am planning on finishing the traditional .x9 quest for v6.59b (along with some more balance tweaks) and then followed by TC in 6.60 if everythings work out right.
Enjoy
-- IceFrog
Update: I'm getting lots of emails asking me what .x9 and TC are. Every 9 version there is a hidden side quest in the map. TC is the Tauren Chieftain hero model.
Here is the download link:
Dota-Allstars 6.59 via Warcraft 3 Map
Mirror 1 of GetDota.com
Or you can check more mirror on www.getdota.com
IceFrog is confirmed that the Dota 6.59 Quest will be on Dota 6.59b. Until then, enjoy this new map! :)
Update: Dota 6.59 AIplus, the latest Dota 6.59 AI is finished!
Another Update: Download Dota 6.59b and start the Dota 6.59b quest for Tauren Chieftain that will be introduced on Dota 6.60!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Dota 6.58b AIPlus - Dota-Allstars 6.58b AIPlus v1.52 Revision 1 Download
DotA Allstars 6.58b AI+ 1.52 Revision 01
----------------------------------------
This is a port of RGB's AI+ v1.52 (originally written for DotA Allstars 6.48b).
It behaves the same as the original AI, and has only been updated to account for balance changes, new item recipes, and most new features. As such, some new content does not work fully with the AI yet.
THERE IS NO AI FOR LIFESTEALER, INVOKER, CLOCKWERK GOBLIN, ADMIRAL PROUDMOORE OR WINDRUNNER. THEY WILL GET ITEMS BUT WILL NEITHER USE NOR LEARN THEIR SKILLS.
Known bugs with AI:
-AI don't properly react to -nb, -nm and -nt modes
-Some exploits that should have been fixed are still in the game...just don't use them. If you really want to cheat against AI, just use -test
Some commands have yet to be implemented properly:
-ah
-afk
-kickafk
-rd (the new one in 6.53, -rd is in the game but done the same way pre-6.53)
-cm
Additionally, I have added two Fun Taverns in the lower right corner. Currently includes seventeen legacy heroes (possibly more in the future): Old Invoker (6.12b), Old Lifestealer (6.48b), Old Silencer (6.12b), Gambler (6.06), Old Morphling (5.84b), Old Stealth Assassin (5.84b), Old Pudge (5.51), Old Chen (5.64), Old Medusa (5.84b), Void Demon (3.0d), Rider (5.72), God of Wind (6.01), Flame Lord (5.51), Avatar of Vengeance (6.32b), Astral Trekker (3.0d), Bat Rider (6.00), and Conjurer (5.51).
To access the fun taverns, type -fun within the first 15 seconds of the game. Note that Fun Tavern heroes do not have AI scripts and will not buy items or use/learn skills.
To use the -tryhero command, type in -fun within the first 15 seconds of the game, then type in -tryhero before picking a hero.
Changelog:
Rev. 01
=======
-First update to 6.58b
-Fixed some tooltip typos for Fun Tavern heroes
-Updated Venomancer's AI to properly use Venomous Gale
-Updated Vengeful Spirit's AI to properly use Wave of Terror
-Rewrote Overload to prevent crashes with AI
-Prevented AI from picking Storm Spirit and Undying and added warning message when AI randoms either hero
-Removed some dead code (mostly for old item system)
-Fixed a bug with Ogre Magi and Aghanim's Scepter
*Formless fixes
-Updated Formless's spell array to include Conjurer's, Storm Spirit's, and Undying's spells
-Slightly changed Formless's spell stealing routine with Aghanim's to prevent a bug
-Slightly changed Formless's Reset mechanism with Strygwyr's Thirst to prevent a timing issue that could give you vision of a unit even after forgetting the ability
*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 some typos (Storm Seeker, Eye of Skadi Ranged, Windrunner, Captain CoCo's Rum, Recall, Courier Shield, Burst)
6.58b Port of AI+ and -fun content by BuffMePlz.
Special thanks:
---------------
Tenshinhan DN
Overflow_GR
Duvon
Strikur--
Counter_Helix_axe
Catalyst
chaser02
Green_Sliche
cp6uja
Thoth-
Here is the download link:
Dota 6.58b AIPlus Rev. 1
Dota-Allstars 6.58b AIPlus v1.52 Revision 1 via MediaFire
Dota-Allstars 6.58b AIPlus v1.52 Revision 1 via MegaUpload
Dota-Allstars 6.58b AIPlus v1.52 Revision 1 via Rapidshare
Well let's enjoy this map. And, Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy Holiday for who celebrate this :)
Update: Dota 6.59 AIplus, the latest Dota 6.59 AI is finished!
Friday, January 23, 2009
Dota-Allstars 6.59 Quest - Will the Tradition Continue?
Dota-Allstars 6.49 Quest
Ok, i'm sure this quest is pretty famous and most of you already know. In this version, we search the Frog within Ice (IceFrog). Each frog carried a letter that will form Invoker Skill (Quas, Wex and Exort). After we find and kill frogs that it's letter form a skill, a portal will be opened and we will fight with a boss for each skill (3 hidden boss). After we beat them all, Kael the Invoker will come and fight you. The only hero can beat him single handedly is Ursa, no one else could. Check this link for more details. You can also watch the video about this quest.
IceFrog is hiding plenty of Frog (about 20-22) and named them with the Beta Tester nick name as a thanks. You can check the official thread of this quest here.
Dota-Allstars 6.29 Quest
Well, it's very old and i can't find much. But you can check it yourself in this video :)
So, how is the chance for this tradition to continue? Pretty big actually. If you forgot, here is a quote from IceFrog interview.
Q: Are you going to do any mystery quests like the previous Invoker quest?
A: I can't say when I'll do it, because it would ruin the surprise, but I do try to do some fun side quests every now and then. You can expect one in the next few versions ;)
"You can expect one in the next few versions" -> Well, he said this on Dota 6.57b. And Dota 6.59 is indeed a few version after that. Ok, i think my hope on Dota-Allstars 6.59 quest is going up! :D
Update: It's here! Check Dota 6.59b for the quest and share your find on Dota 6.59b Quest Guide!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo - Poze cu Fotbalisti
Al doilea nume al lui Cristiano („Ronaldo”) este relativ rar în Portugalia. PărinÅ£ii l-au numit astfel în cinstea fostului preÅŸedinte american Ronald Reagan.
Cu Manchester United
FA Premier League: 2006-2007, 2007-2008
FA Premier League: Runner Up: 2005-06
FA Cup: 2004
FA Cup Runners Up: 2005, 2007
Football League Cup: 2006
Community Shield: 2007
Uefa Champions League: 2007-2008
Cu echipa nationala:
EURO 2004: Finala
World Cup 2006: Semifinala
EURO 2008: Sfert de finala
Imagini cu Ceata
Da o senzaţie aparte, care nu o poti intalni în alte conditii. Doar pe ceata.
Ceata e unul dintre cele mai frumoase fenomene.
E mai periculoasa ca o ninsoare abundenta sau ca o ploaie torentiala in ceea ce priveste multe aspecte…
E frumos dimineata sa vezi anumite peisaje cand se ridica ceata. Dar sa nu fie smog :)
De aceea am creat o colectie de 34 wallpapere cu ceata ( fog wallpapers). Ceata in padure. Ceata in natura.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Dota No-Remorse Music Video
This video is made by Virus Hunter and the song by Devil's Urethra, the famous musician on Dota-Allstars.
Dota 6.58 Bug - Dota-Allstars 6.58 Exploit Abuse on Barathrum
Here is how to do it:
1. Choose Barathrum
2. Farm for Cranium Basher, but don't take your Greater Bash yet.
3. After get your basher, hit the creep until you get a bash.
4. Immediately take your Nether Bash.
5. You will got 100% Bash from Cranium Basher and 17% Greater Bash.
6. Perma Rape!!!
You also can view this video if you are confuse.
Please note that this bug only working on Dota 6.58 and already fix on Dota 6.58b. I think this maybe work with other hero with passive bash, like Slardar/Troll, but i haven't try it yet ^_^" Feel free to share other bug on Dota 6.58 or Dota 6.58b :) Enjoy!
Storm Spirit Guide - Raijin Thunderkeg Build & Strategy (Dota-Allstars 6.58 Remake)
Storm Spirit Guide - Raijin Thunderkeg Build and Strategy (after Dota 6.58 remake). Along with Dirge the Undying, Storm Spirit now is having new skill set on Dota-Allstars 6.58. Before the remake, Storm Spirit is DPS hero that's aim for damage items. But now, his skill is more absolutely mana dependent. But before we think about the new strategies, let's take a look on his new skills.
Storm Spirit
==============
Attack Range: 500
Strength: 17 + 1.5
Agility: 22 + 1.8
Intelligence: 23 + 2.6
Movement Speed 295
Static Remnant
-----------------
Raijin creates a remnant of himself containing his essence. The Static Remnant will release its stored energy whenever an enemy units comes near it. Lasts up to 12 seconds.
Damage: 140/180/220/260
Trigger AOE: 210
Damage AOE: 260
Cooldown: 4
Manacost: 70/80/90/100
Takes 1 second to create after cast. This is not channeling, just time delayed.
Note: Remember, the cooldown is only 4 seconds, so you can stack it until 3 Remnant in one place. Use this as your farming tool and your only nuke. Another thing is that your Remnant is not invisible.
Electric Vortex
-----------------
Storm focuses his energy to rip open a vortex drawing an enemy to it. This process slows the Storm Spirit down for a brief period.
Pulls 100/150/200/250 units over 1/1.5/2/2.5 seconds.
Your movement is reduced by 50% for 3 seconds.
Cast Range: 300
Manacost: 100
Cooldown: 20
Note: Great spell for ganking. Ball Lightning and combine it with Vortex and immediately Remnant. Most of your enemy won't be able to escape. Please note that this can cancel Town Portal, channeling spell. And while you hold it, enemy can't cast spell.
Overload
---------
Storm Spirit becomes overloaded with electrical energy whenever he casts a spell. The charge is released on his next attack as an electrical burst, dealing damage and slowing nearby units.
Slow: 50% as 80% ms Lasts 0.6 seconds (Same stats as old overload)
Bonus damage: 30/45/60/75
AOE: 275
Note: Combine this with your other spell to slow down your enemy. Remember, Ball Lightning will also give you an Overload charge.
Ball Lightning
---------------
Storm Spirit becomes enveloped with energy, losing his physical form, and travels until he depletes his mana or chooses to stop. While in this form, he deals damage to nearby units based on how far his electrical form has traversed. Damage, speed and area of effect improves per level.
Stops traveling whenever you run out of mana. Deals damage in a small area around you based on distance traveled.
Damage: 8/12/16 per 100 units traveled
Manacost: (15 + 7% of total manabase) + mana based on distance traveled (10+1% per 100 units)
Cast Range: Global
Cooldown: 0
Travel speed and damage AoE improves per level.
You can cast spells like Static Remnant during your roll if you are quick enough.
Specific interactions with spells/projectiles follow the same rules as Waveform does.
Note: I think this skill is Imba! Despite of the mana depleted, the cooldown is 0(zero) and this make huge difference in battle. An enemy escaped? Use this to chase him. Trust me, you won't believe how much this can surprise your enemy. You get ganked? Use this to rolling out as far as you can or just simply rolling into the cliff. Don't use this to hide into the tree because the tree will falling off and they still can chase you (i learn this by mistake T_T). Once you got your Bloodstone, you can maximize the potential of this skill.
Skill Build
1. Static Remnant
2. Overload
3. Electric Vortex
4. Static Remnant
5. Static Remnant
6. Ball Lightning
7. Static Remnant
8. Electric Vortex
9. Electric Vortex
10. Electric Vortex
11. Ball Lightning
12. Overload
13. Overload
14. Overload
16. Ball Lightning
If you are not soloing, you can leveling up Vortex before Remnant to catch a kill with your partner.
Item Build
Aim Bloodstone as fast as you can! The massive mana regen that you gain for each kill on Bloodstone is really support this hero. My item build order is:
1. 2 Null + 2 Branch + 2 set of Tangoes
2. Void Stone
3. Ring of Health
4. Point Booster
5. Energy Booster
6. Finish Bloodstone
You can buy shoes before Point Booster or RoH.
Use Static Remnant for farming your Bloodstone. The manacost is cheap and cooldown is low. Combined with Overload, farming is not that difficult with this hero. After get the Ball Lightning, you can start ganking. The combo i usually use is:
1. Ball Lightning into the target.
2. Hit with Overload
3. Electric Vortex
4. Hit with Overload
5. Quickly use Static Remnant
6. Hit with overload again and keep it on.
Just remember one thing, Ball Lightning is having 0 cooldown! If you are missed your target, just keep chasing it. You also suddenly surprise the low HP enemy from very far distance with your Ball Lightning. Use this hero for ganking, this is his role now. The only mistake i made with this hero is when i keep farming in early-mid game like the old Storm and waste his ganking potential.
Ball Lightning will make you hard to kill. Keep some mana for rolling and you will be safe. The only chances i got raped is with Sheep stick ^_^"
I know this hero is rather more difficult to use than the previous, but prefer this new one. It's more entertaining and remind me of Kungfu Panda, Rofl ;p
Undying Guide & Build - Dirge Guide
Dirge the Undying
=======
Attack Range: 100
Strength: 25 + 2.1
Agility: 10 + 0.8
Intelligence: 27 + 2.8
Movement Speed 310
Cast Point 0.45
Hero Class: Strength
Decay
-------
Dirge saps away the strength of enemy heroes and retains it for a period of time.
Steals 4 Strength from each hero for 21/24/27/30 seconds
Deals 30/60/90/120 Magical Damage
Manacost 70/90/110/130
Cooldown 11/9/7/5
Cast Range 625
AOE: 300
Note: Often missed, note the cooldown
Look at the cast area, so big and with just low cooldown (5 seconds), this spell become handy.
Soul Rip
---------
Redirects the flow of living energy through a target friend or foe, damaging them or healing them depending on how many units are near it. 25 for each unit.
This does not hurt zombies below since they are magic immune.
This can target your tombstone.
Unit Cap: 5/10/15/20
Cooldown: 25/20/15/10
Manacost: 50/75/100/125
Tombstone
----------
Unholy powers summon a cursed tombstone. Zombies will frequently spawn near each enemy unit and attack them. Zombies have a passive that additively slow their target by 7%. Zombies cannot be controlled.
Spawn area: 400/600/800/1000
Frequency: 3
Slow Duration: 2.5 seconds
Zombie Stats:
HP: 30
Armor: 0
Armor Type: Unarmored
Magic Resistance: Immune
Damage: 37-45
Attack Type: Pierce
Attack Speed: 1.6
Movement Speed: 375
Bounty: 5-7
Deathlust: If the target the zombie is attacking is below 100/200/300/400 hit points, it gains 50% movement and attack speed bonus.
Tombstone Duration: 15/20/25/30
Tombstone HP: 150/300/450/600
Tombstone Armor: 10
Tombstone Armor Type: Medium
Tombstone Other Stats: Magic Immune, No regen.
Tombstone Bounty: 70/90/110/130
Cooldown: 60
Cast Range: 250
Manacost: 120/130/140/150
Flesh Golem
------------
Dirge's hatred for all living beings allows him to transform into a monster. While he's transformed he carries a plague that affects nearby enemy units. Strength of the plague depends on how close the enemy is. Amplifies damage enemy units receive and reduces their movement speed (7%). When a plagued unit dies, its essence is transferred back to the Undying.
Cooldown: 90
Duration: 30
Manacost: 100
Plague Aura Damage Amplification: (old plague was 20/25/30%)
at max distance (700): 5/10/15%
at closest distance (150): 20/25/30%
In between is just an even spread between the numbers
Units that die under plague release their energy to you. Creeps heal you for 3% and Heroes for 12% of your Max HP.
Skill Build
1. Soul Rip
2. Decay
3. Soul Rip
4. Tombstone
5. Decay
6. Flesh Golem
7. Decay
8. Decay
9. Soul Rip
10. Soul Rip
11. Flesh Golem
12. Tombstone
13. Tombstone
14. Tombstone
15. Attribute Bonus
16. Flesh Golem
Item Build
Core Items
Luxury Items
Optional
You can also share your thought about the Undying guide & build after the remake :)