Dota 2 temporarily deletes popular hero before launching huge Dark Carnival update
If you were an Axe player in Dota 2 earlier this week, you’d have found yourself out of luck when you tried to pick the stalwart Oglodi warrior, as the hero was straight up removed from the game on June 23.
The hero was completely missing from All-Pick and his hero model was replaced with a missing poster. Axe couldn’t even be demoed or picked in a custom game for a full day.
Then on June 24, Axe returned, but there was something a little… different. Now sporting clockwork features and a puppet-like appearance, it seems Axe had been kidnapped and replaced – just like in the Ringmaster reveal video several years ago.
Image Credit: Win.gg/Valve
Now, just moments go (June 25), Valve has unveiled the Dark Carnival event, something teased and rumored about for years. Axe and four other heroes have received incredible new Automaton Personas and a huge new event has taken over Dota 2 ahead of The International. Here’s what we know:
The Dark Carnival descends on Dota 2
A brand new narrative event called the
Dark Carnival
has been launched focusing on Hoodwink and Legion Commander as they attempt to escape the mechanical monstrosity they’ve been imprisoned within. Taunted by Ringmaster at every turn, the pair advance a players earn tickets to the next section of the caravan.
Image Credit: Win.gg/Valve
Tickets are earned in standard Cavern Crawl fashion, with various heroes unlocking different reward and routes. Each step on the crawl gives you rewards.
The story is currently split up into three parts, with a staggered release, with parts two and three launching in 14 days and 28 days respectively.
Beyond this there’s a new Axe, Oracle, Morphling, Legion Commander, and Bristleback Automaton Personas. These uniquely animated and designed personas revamp the heroes entirely. We think the Morphling one is especially fantastic, as it showcases the potential of what’s widely regarded as one of the worst models in the game.
The Dark Carnival event screen. Image Credit: Win.gg/Valve
There’s also 20 new sets available under the Treasure of Wonders, the Secret Rooms Pack, which unlocks extra story and reward (similar to Crownfall), and lots of other rewards available.
The Dark Carnival update is available to play now and it’s definitely one of the largest Dota 2 events in years. While it’s early days, this definitely has a similar potential to Crownfall, and we’re looking forward to seeing how deep the story and rewards run.
Featured Image Credit: Win.gg/Valve.
Michael Hassall
About Michael Hassall
Michael is a eight-year veteran of the games writing space, but has being playing them for as long as he can remember. With bylines across the internet, he’s used his expertise to cover esports, prediction markets, mainstream gaming, streamers, and more besides.
View full profile
Read Also
Dota 2
Team Spirit wins TI15 to lift a record third Aegis of Champions
Michael Hassall
Team Spirit has defeated TEAM VISION in the grand finals of TI15, The International 2025. In a full five-game series on Aug. 23, Spirit pulled out all the stops and narrowly defeated an incredible VISION team in a back-and-forth series in Shanghai, China. With Spirit’s victory, Illya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk and Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov become the first ever three-time TI champions, and Team Spirit becomes the first ever organization to lift ...
Dota 2
The International 2026 (TI15) Finals Preview and Predictions
Michael Hassall
The International 2026, TI15, has reached its final day, and just three teams remain in the fight for the Aegis of Champions. With the lower bracket final and Grand Final still to come, everything comes down to one final day of Dota 2 action. The lower bracket finalists will first battle for the right to reach the main event’s final series, while the winner will advance to face the upper-bracket ...
Dota 2
TI15’s opening ceremony weaves a tapestry of emotion for Valve’s storied title
Michael Hassall
The main stage of The International 2026, TI15, kicked off today with the traditional opening ceremony heralding the start of the biggest celebration of Dota 2 on the calendar. On Aug. 20 fans in Shanghai, China, and at home, were treated to a rousing 11-minute series of performances and video packages, introducing TI15’s main stage show. Here’s how the magic unfolded: The ceremony began with a graphic which quite literally ...
Dota 2
The International 2026 (TI15) Playoffs preview and predictions
Michael Hassall
The Group Stage of The International 2026, TI15, is in the books and we’ve whittled down 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams to just eight finalists. One of these talented lineups will be the ones lifting the Aegis of Champions come Sunday, Aug. 23, but until then, there’s plenty of playoff shenanigans that could go on. Below we’ve put together a preview of the upcoming Playoff Games, along ...
News
The Esports Nations Cup Has Been Postponed to November 2027
Ben Boland
The 2026 Esports Nations Cup has been suspended until 2027. The Esports Foundation announced the delay on August 18, citing ongoing regional uncertainty. The inaugural competition was scheduled to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, comprising over 100 national teams and featuring 16 different games, including League of Legends. According to the Esports Foundation, this decision follows ongoing developments in the region and consultation with key stakeholders. Moving the event ...
Dota 2
Team Spirit vs Iron Wing at TI15: Best Betting Predictions and Picks
Owen Harsono
The playoffs for TI15 starts off with an absolute banger of a match between Team Spirit and Iron Wing, and the betting odds could not be any closer. Here are our TI15 Team Spirit vs Iron Wing predictions. Tournament: The International 2026 (TI15) Stage: Playoffs Game: Dota 2 Format: Best of 3 Betting tip: This is the closest series we have at the first round of the TI15 playoffs, as ...
Dota 2
Who Will Win The International 2026 (TI15)? These Are Our Best Picks
Owen Harsono
The TI15 group stage is over, and we’re down to the top eight teams. We’ve now got a pretty good idea of which teams are the favorites heading into the playoffs based on recent performance and season results, so here are the teams we think have the best shot at winning TI15 and claiming some of The International prize pool. The TI15 group stage saw eight teams exit the event ...
