Valve is showing no signs of slowing DOTA 2 updates. While there isn"t a massive map or gameplay rework this time, it has just unveiled the next playable hero for the game. The team-based competitive tactics game has received its first "bard-class" hero, named Largo, with patch 7.40.
"He tailors every song to his exact circumstances, raising his allies" spirits or, if necessary, their foot speed as they run toward battle (or away)," explains Valve. "As a frog, his prehensile tongue has, shall we say, all kinds of tricks."
Diving into his abilities, Largo"s Catchy Lick pulls any target towards him using his frog tongue, applying a dispel at the same time to remove any effects. This works on both enemies and allies, though some damage is also applied when used on a foe. Next, the Frogstomp has Largo tossing froglings to an area to bounce around in, with each impact applying mini-stuns, damage, and reduced movement to enemies.
Next comes Croak of Genius, which can be applied to both allies and Largo himself. This lets the chosen one cast magical abilities at a lower mana cost and with extra damage, which may drastically help some heroes that have high costs for their abilities, especially in the early game.
The ultimate ability of Largo, dubbed Amphibian Rhapsody, has a unique sustaining mechanic. While activated, players can switch between three "songs," which apply spell amplification, movement speed increase, or a healing effect, depending on what is chosen. Largo cannot attack anybody while in this ultimate bard state.
What is special about the ultimate is that players have to "strum to the beat" to keep these effects active. The longer the beat is kept, the stronger the effects get as well, giving rhythm game fans plenty to look forward to.
Today"s update also carries major reworks for Lone Druid, Slark, and Treant Protector heroes, while a few terrain changes and brand-new neutral items have landed as well.
The patch carrying Largo and a whole lot of changes is live now. Find the complete patch notes for the DOTA 2 7.40 update over here, which may take some time to load considering the thousands of changes it is bringing.