Lore
From Liquipedia Dota 2 Wiki
The Mad Moon with both Ancients imprisoned.
The lore of Dota 2 is vast and mysterious. Much of the lore is intentionally left open ended for the reader to decide what is really true. The general theme of Dota 2's lore is that it tells of events that happened so long ago, none truly remember what actually happened. Tales that have barely survived the ages are all of what we know now.
This database is meant to contain all lore from the Dota 2 franchise, including from hero bios, voice responses, item flavor text, comics, event lore, spinoffs, etc.
- Speculation should not be added unless it is strongly implied by sources. This is to keep the database consistent and reliable.
- Try to use citations with reference tags whenever possible.
Classifying lore pages[edit]
- World includes any kind of locations in the vast lore of Dota 2. These elements answer the question "Where?" and they have inhabitants or visitors in them. This includes buildings, physical communities, places in nature (be it on water, on/below land, and on air), planets and other celestial bodies (such as moons, galaxies, etc.), entire planes of existence, etc. Pages belonging to this category have the type "World" in their Lore infobox.
- Gods can be defined as any powerful entity that can bestow power to lesser beings (and take them away in the likelihood of insubordination and defiance) and often benefits from worship and reverence from lesser beings. Other characteristics of a god include transcending dimensionality, immortality (which he can share with his devotees), or simply literally addressing a god. Ironically, even demons can be included here, if they fit these qualifications. Even entities that transcend the gods themselves can be included here. Pages belonging to this category have the type "God" in their Lore infobox.
- Races are any groups of creatures, beings, entities, and whatnot with common characteristics. Pages belonging to this category have the type "Race" in their Lore infobox.
- Characters should be straightforward. Pages belonging to this category have the type "Character" in their Lore infobox.
- Factions are groups of entities that are organized and united under a common purpose. Members of a faction are related to each other by their occupation or purpose, rather than by blood or common physical characteristics like races or species. But there are some exceptions, such as families. Pages belonging to this category have the type "Faction" in their Lore infobox.
- Species are a subset of organisms within a Race. Species are more specific and less generic than a race because of their distinct characteristics, while still retaining their respective race's common characteristics. Pages belonging to this category have the type "Species" in their Lore infobox.
- Artifacts are non-generic items that hold great powers or have a specific purpose or quality that's sometimes the source of its value. Pages belonging to the category have the type "Artifact" in their Lore infobox.
- Texts refer to any kind of written work. Pages belonging to this category have the type "Text" in their Lore infobox.
- Resources refer to anything harvested from nature that is consumed or drawn upon. It also includes stuff produced from any natural resources that's also consumed or drawn upon such as culinary dishes and processed magical energy. Pages belonging to this category have the type "Resource" in their Lore infobox.
- Events should be straightforward for they answer the question "When?" and they have participants. Locations are space, events are time. Pages belonging to the category have the type "Event" in their Lore infobox.
- Traditions are cultures (arts, practices, beliefs, etc.) that are passed down to others via instruction. Pages belonging to the category have the type "Tradition" in their Lore infobox.
- Others contains any lore elements that don't fall into any of the above categories, be it due to a lack of info, or simply because it doesn't fit with any of these categories. Pages that belong to this category have a blank type in their Lore infobox.
Hero Biographies[edit]
All heroes and each of their abilities have lore attached to them. The lore can be found on their pages in this wiki. Items also have a short line of lore text as well.
Comics[edit]
Comics are the main source of Dota 2 lore other than the game itself. They can be found on the official Dota 2 website.
List[edit]
| Name | Release Date | Description | New heroes | Featured lore | Featured cosmetic | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Are We Heroes Yet? | 2011-11-31 | The first official Dota 2 comic written by Marc Laidlaw and drawn by James "Jim" Murray. Shopkeeper wrestles Sithil and Quirt into retrieving |
Sithil, Quirt, Shopkeeper, Drow Ranger |
Comic page → | ||
| The Contract | 2014-10-14 | The comic introduces Oracle, who creates a contract tasking Phantom Assassin with preventing his assassination. | Nerif the Oracle | Craler, Veiled Sisters, Phantom Assassin | Comic page → | |
| The New Neighbors | 2015-02-10 | The comic features an expanded background of Crystal Maiden and her duties as the warden of Icewrack. It also introduces Winter Wyvern, who moves in as the new neighbor. | Auroth the Winter Wyvern | Crystal Maiden, Thrael | Comic page → | |
| The Summoning | 2015-05-05 | Enigma meets a greedy alchemist bent on learning his secrets. | Enigma, Cedric | Comic page → | ||
| The Sundered Moon | 2015-10-15 | Zeus meets Zet in an old tavern to discuss the history of the universe. | Zet the Arc Warden | Comic page → | ||
| The Last Castle | 2015-10-17 | Axe fights his way through a heavily guarded castle to increase book sales about his adventures. | Axe, Goodkind, Sorcerer-King | Comic page → | ||
| Tip of the Spear | 2016-07-16 | Legion Commander rises through the ranks and leads the Bronze Legion in a siege against Moerbeek. | Legion Commander, Marcus, Bronze Legion | Comic page → | ||
| A Dark Purpose Served | 2016-08-19 | Anti-Mage and Windranger fight their way towards a dark necromancer. | Anti-Mage, Windranger, Dead God | Comic page → | ||
| A New Journey | 2016-12-12 | Monkey King fights in a show for an unsavory ringmaster. | Sun Wukong the Monkey King | Ilexa, Broodmother, Sundered Moon | Update page, anchored → | |
| Legends of the Monkey King | 2016-12-12 | Ilexa tells her friends the legends of the Monkey King. | Dark Reef, Narrow Maze ( Spirit Brothers ( |
Update page, anchored → | ||
| Siltbreaker | 2017-05-04 | Heroes receive invitation from the Conclave, calling for the lengthy campaign. | Siltbreaker, Conclave of the Brine, Dark Reef, |
|||
| 2018-11-27 | The House of The Cunning resolved the timeline yet again; Jolixia decided some change is in order. | The Artifact, Veiled Sisters, Revtel, Roseleaf | Comic page → | |||
| 2018-11-29 | Changed events lead to Legion Commander never encountering Vrogoss and having to deal with Sorla Khan and Rix Rebellion instead. | Legion Commander, Rix, Sorla Khan, Roseleaf | Comic page → | |||
(and crew) |
2020-02-25 | A series of comedic short pages in the style and tone of newspaper comic strips. Focuses on Ricky Ravenhook, a corvid flightless with a penchant for murder and arson. | Ricky Ravenhook Ilexa Hobgen Dark Willow Enno Anessix Jull Meepo Naga Siren Kanna | |||
| 2020-02-25 | A series of comedic short pages in the style and tone of newspaper comic strips. Focuses on Ilexa, a mostly-innocent radiant creep surrounded by a world of casual crime. | Ilexa Queen of Pain Anessix | ||||
| Ascension | 2020-06-11 | Akasha bargains for power. | Queen of Pain, Narrow Maze, Court of Ristul | Update page, anchored → | ||
| The Hunt | 2020-07-11 | Wei, the disciple of Anti-Mage, is finally ready to prove herself out of the bounds of monastery. | Anti-Mage, Wei, Quorum | Update page, anchored → | ||
| The Puppet | 2024-08-14 | Osbert Kettle gives a performance of a lifetime. | Ringmaster | Unnamed Witch, Osbert Kettle | Comic page → |
Crownfall[edit]
Crownfall event features an extensive collection of comics both in-game and on the official site.
| Name | Release Date | Description | New heroes | Featured lore | Featured cosmetic | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ascension Day | 2024-04-18 | Queen Imperia has banned worship of the goddess Scree'Auk, who then gives all of her remaining power to Dragonus and Shen to lead a rebellion against the evil Queen. | Vengeful Spirit, Skywrath Mage, Scree'auk | Comic page → | ||
| Smoke Harbor | 2024-04-18 | At a small harbor, Shen and Dragonus part ways to follow their leads on the Kazurai. | Vengeful Spirit, Skywrath Mage, Scree'auk, Kunkka | Dota2 CDN - First Page | ||
| The Battle of Hell's Basin | 2024-05-23 | Under the banner of Sorla Khan, the seven warring tribes of Druud put an end to their perpetual war to tackle a greater foe: The Abyssal Horde. Right as the field of battle is upon them, Kraw, and his army of Kazurai, arrive. | Axe Disruptor Centaur Warrunner Sorla Khan Underlord Rix | Dota2 CDN - First Page | ||
| The Nomad Star | 2024-05-23 | While Dragonus' companions are asleep, the Nomad Star falls upon the side of a nearby mountain, revealing its interior. Within, Arc Warden and Dragonus discover The Fourth Ancient | Axe Skywrath Mage Centaur Warrunner Arc Warden | Dota2 CDN - First Page | ||
| Pudge's Guided Tours | 2024-05-23 | As the group gathers to leave Drudd, Pudge, the only available guide through the wastes, propositions them with a tour. | Pudge Axe Skywrath Mage Centaur Warrunner | Dota2 CDN - First Page | ||
| The Dragon | 2024-07-09 | Arriving at a disreputable tavern in Frostreach, Shen attempts to find leads on Kestrel's whereabouts and guide henceforth. | ⓘ Kez | Vengeful Spirit, Tusk, Scree'auk, Bakeet | Dota2 CDN - First Page | |
| Unnamed Act III End Comic | 2024-07-09 | Shen returns to the disreputable tavern in Frostreach to find Scree'auk, making a showing on arrival. Then she prepares her and Kez's party's departure. | Vengeful Spirit, Kez Scree'auk Bakeet | Dota2 CDN - First Page | ||
| Ascension Night | 2024-11-07 | Kestrel's introduction comic. Years ago, Kez stages a prison break at The Cage, and ends up rising to herohood. | Kez | Skywrath Kez Bakeet | Comic page → | |
| Crownfall (Comic) | 2024-11-08 | Axe and some of the Red Mist Army tease a gate guard at his post, whom despite their bravery, comes to realize and accept the scale of the siege that had just begun at Skywrath. | Axe Centaur Warrunner Pudge Crystal Maiden Kunkka Scree'auk Bakeet Vengeful Spirit Kez Techies Snapfire Juggernaut Imperia | Dota2 CDN - First Page | ||
| The Queen's Gambit | 2024-11-08 | Queen Imperia puts in motion her last ditch effort against the uprising heroes, revealing the extent of her blasphemy. | ⓘ Imperia | Skywrath | Dota2 CDN - First Page |
Additionally, Crownfall's Acts had a couple comic panels being used as scene cut-ins to emphasize moments in its plot.
| Name | Release Date | Description | Featured characters | Featured cosmetic | Official link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Market (Act I-2) | 2024-04-18 | Short visual gag that serves as a punchline to the group's misadventures in the Markets of Midgate. | Vengeful Spirit, Skywrath Mage, Scree'auk, Bakeet | Dota2 CDN - 01 Dota2 CDN - 02 Dota2 CDN - 03 | |
| Divided They Fall (Act I-S) | 2024-04-18 | Vengeful Spirit flies a Meepo on her back close enough to The Cage so that a clone may Poof his way out | Vengeful Spirit, Meepo | Dota2 CDN - Single Page | |
| The Broken Belt (Act II-S) | 2024-05-23 | Centaur Warruner quickly puts Graxx in his place and claims his own Champion's Belt from the bureaucrat | Centaur Warrunner | Graxx's Strap |
Dota2 CDN - 01 Dota2 CDN - 02 Dota2 CDN - 03 Dota2 CDN - 04 |
| Showdown with Zaug (Act III-4) | 2024-07-09 | Seeing herself as the only option, Shen takes the Shards of Frostburn from Maiden's hands and attaches each opposing one to her bracers. Then flies off to fight Zaug on her own. | Crystal Maiden Vengeful Spirit |
Dota2 CDN - 01 Dota2 CDN - 02 |
Additional Lore[edit]
The Archronicus[edit]
- For full details, see Archronicus.
Detailed in the first story of the Archronicus, the main premise of Dota 2 is the endless war between the Radiant and Dire ancients. They are two greater fragments of a primordial, imprisoned into a single moon by the third fragment, Zet. This prison became known as the Mad Moon, pictured at the top right of this page. The image is from the Archronicus, and is the only clear depiction of the ancients in their imprisoned form. The name Mad Moon is derived from the appearance of a single eye with a wicked smile (tilted 90 degrees in the image) and the description of the bright and violent radiance it gave off. The ancients were eventually torn apart into several smaller fragments when their prison fell from outer space and onto the world below. The scattered shards covered the planet, which became known as the Nemesis Stones. The two ancients, although broken, still resolve to destroy each other due to being opposite forces that weaken when close together. The influence exerted by these glowing stones brainwash common beings into doing their bidding, which become lane creeps. Beings of stronger will are Heroes, who can resist the influence of the ancients and remain themselves in the presence of the nemesis stones. Heroes tend to align with one of the two ancients, but may decide to fight for the other ancient regardless of their lore. Shopkeepers and Neutral Creeps appear to be resistant to the influence of the ancients as well.
In a match of Dota 2, two teams of 5 heroes fight against each other to defend their ancient. They must fight across a large battlefield, with the objective goal to destroy the enemy team's ancient. Unfortunately, every time victory for one Ancient is achieved, the loser rewinds time, trying yet another way to overcome the odds. Such is the power of the Radinthuul and Diruulth that even pulling heroes from distant pasts[1] or reshaping the battlefield entirely[2] is not out of their grasp.
Weta[edit]
Weta, a company that creates expensive replicas, has some expanded lore written by Valve for Demon Edge, Butterfly, and Vanguard.
Demon Edge[edit]
When the Mad Moon tore asunder, and the Ancients plunged to earth, splinters of the Nemesis Stones lay fallen to be found by anyone who had the fortune (whether this proved good or ill).
The Demon-Smith Abzidian laid claim to two such fragments, and from them forged the Demon's Edge: Her blade a singing shard of Radiant ore, her hilt of Direstone cunningly carved. But once the weapon was complete, he learned to his chagrin that only a Hero can handle her. In testing her edge, the Demon-Smith Abzidian slew himself!
Since that day, Demon Edge has passed from hand to hand, though only a hero may carry her for long. For in this single weapon, the warring Ancients vie.
What lesser mortal can hope to wield such power?
Pieces of note: A reiteration of what is already known.
Butterfly[edit]
The tales called Butterfly a blade of betrayal, for it is said that in the hands of the uncertain swinging the sword brings with it a promise of disaster.
Whether through its treacherous balance or its deceptive weight, the unprepared have been known to pay in blood and bone. Yet in the grip of the confident, few tools have proven more valuable or deadly.
To use the blade properly it is said one must trust it completely, allowing it to wield the user. Follow its weight as it weaves a legato line with the enemy; feel its speed as it meets every staccato strike with one of its own.
For the faithful, permitting the Butterfly to lead the course of combat will reward the warrior with a way into the heart of all foes.
Pieces of note: An expansion of the lore on the in-game item.
Vanguard[edit]
The hellwether emblem of the Vanguard is familiar to all who fight and bleed in the contested lands.
The original shield, battered and worn, was found in a hoard of dragon’s gold, dug free from the deepest and oldest layers of treasure.
Inscribed with ancient runes of protection (roughly translated by Ultimyrian scribes as, “Here no blade shall drink.”), this shield of the Vanguard was discovered to provide its bearer with magical protection against damage.
Now, for a price, these special runes can be inscribed upon lesser shields, thus transforming them in power and likeness into the Vanguard of old.
Pieces of note: There is a reference to the Ultimyrian Academy, which is where Warlock originates from. It also explains how Vanguard can be recreated.
Creatures[edit]
Hellwether Ram[edit]
In an official statement, the lore for the Hellwether referenced in Vanguard's expanded lore was explained.
A Hellwether is a legendary beast. The name is a bastardization of "bellwether," a term commonly used by ancient herding tribes in Slom and the Bleeding hills, and later recorded by Ultimyrian scholars. It was unclear to the Ultimyrian scribes of the time if the Hellwether Ram was mythical, or a real creature. Later events would strongly suggest the latter.
See also[edit]
- Archronicus
- Community memes
External Links[edit]
- Dota 2 Lore Megathread on the Dota 2 development forums (broken link, Archived)
- Community-rehosted Dota 2 Lore repost, taken from reddit
References[edit]
- ↑
Davion meeting Faceless Void: ▶️ r Answer me, Lord of Claszureme, how am I here? In this time. Something's wrong.
- ↑ Wandering Waters and New Frontiers updates