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Dota 2 Shifting Snows update brings gameplay patch 6.83, new items

• Egon Kilin
• December 16th, 2014

Valve revealed the next Dota 2 major update while also detailing all the new content found within. Entitled Shifting Snows, the update brings new treasure chests, new items, new effects, and the brand new (or pretty old if you’re a veteran DotA player) 6.83 gameplay patch. Unsurprisingly, there’s a winter theme to this update, which is overall a small consolation seeing as how we won’t have a Frostivus event this year. Valve has added snow and ice to the Dota 2 map just in time for Christmas and they’re also giving us the possibility of creating frozen statues with the new Effigy Block of Frost. The update also contains a new trophy and teleport effect for those who placed 1st, 2nd, or third in Fantasy Dota Season 2.

Moving on, the Shifting Snows update introduces a brand new treasure chest to Dota 2 called Treasure of the Frosted Flame. Within the chest you will find a set for one of the following heroes: Luna, Sniper, Legion Commander, Drow Ranger, or Shadow Shaman. In addition, there is also a small chance that you’ll find the new Tiny set, or the new Hexgill the Lane Shark courier. Speaking of treasure chests, Valve is also adding something called Treasure of the Nested Cache. This is basically a treasure chest that contains a random Dota 2 treasure chest. Yes, treasure-ception. Finally, since the holidays are just around the corner Valve figured that it would be a great idea to offer players a way of sending proper gifts to others with the help of Gift Wrap.

As for gameplay patch 6.83, you’ll find the usual assortment of changes to both the Dota 2 map and items, as well as to most of the heroes. Some of the highlights include: first rune spawns are now both Bounty Runes that are twice as effective as normal ones, illusions deal 25% less damage to structures (sorry PL), maximum attack speed increased to 600, certain abilities can now be cast on Spell Immune allies. As for the items, the courier now only costs 120 gold, Blink Dagger no longer disabled by enemy abilities unless they actually damage you, Broadsword added to the side shop, Diffusal Blade is no longer a Unique Attack Modifier, and more. For the lengthy changelog regarding changes to heroes in patch 6.83 check out this post on the Dota 2 website.