After weeks of speculation, the Dota 2 Dark Carnival has officially arrived. Valve’s latest major update brings a full-scale story campaign to the game, following in the footsteps of 2024’s Crownfall event.
The narrative kicks off with the 'Midnight Run' chapter, which sees Legion Commander and Hoodwink held captive on a spider-legged circus train by the enigmatic Ringmaster. Players will guide the duo through various carriages, uncovering the Ringmaster’s plans while earning rewards along the way. The story features full voice acting and is supported by a dedicated comic.
How to Progress Through the Train
Progression is gated by specific ticket types that you must insert to move forward. These tickets are tied to your hero selection: every character is linked to three ticket variants. For instance, Tiny provides two 'Stars' and one 'Fool' ticket, while Chaos Knight offers a trio of 'Wheel of Fortune' tickets.
Efficiency is key to your journey:
- Standard Matches: Win to earn all three of your hero's assigned tickets; lose to receive one at random.
- Turbo Matches: Win to earn two tickets; lose to receive none.
- Trading: If you find yourself with spares, you can trade either three matching tickets or four different ones to acquire the specific types you need.
Rewards, Cosmetics, and the Emporium
As you explore the train, you will collect Candy, Treasures of Wonder, and Discount Coins. The Treasures of Wonder contain 15 new hero cosmetic sets, including the 'Motley Marauder' Drow Ranger, 'Mistress of Ceremonies' Queen of Pain, and the 'Bonobo the Clown' outfit for Monkey King. Players who don't already own the Toy Pudge persona will also receive a 'Woodcutter' look for the character.
For those looking to customize their roster, five new automaton-themed personas are available for Axe, Oracle, Legion Commander, Morphling, and Bristleback. These are priced at $14.99 (£11.09) each. These purchases—along with other store items—can be discounted using the Discount Coins system. By collecting ten coins, you can deduct $7.99 (£5.89) from the price of any eligible item or bundle.
Additional rewards, such as sets for Phantom Assassin, Crystal Maiden, Invoker, and Magnus, are hidden throughout the train as you progress. The familiar Candyworks has also returned, allowing players to trade for various couriers, wards, and hero sets.
Expanding the Experience
While the main story is free for all players, Valve has introduced the 'Secret Rooms Pack' for $14.99 (£11.09). This optional purchase grants access to hidden map areas, secret quests, a custom music pack, and themed creeps.
The Dark Carnival event is rolling out in phases. The first two carriages are currently accessible, with two more opening in two weeks, and the final pair arriving two weeks after that.