Well, here’s a bizarre one for you. The latest Dota 2 patch has… removed a hero. Specifically, it’s removed Skeleton King. Specifically, it’s for “pressing ceremonial reasons.” This is the only patch note. Assuming Valve aren’t big liars, this patch does literally nothing else.
One would assume that this has something to do with the impending Frostivus celebration (or Greeviling, if things go as horribly wrong as last year). Tell me, people who were present for Dota 2 last year: does Skeleton King have some sort of special significance to this holiday? Is he Dota‘s magic Santa Claus, bringing presents of GIANT SWORDS to all the good heroes and heroines? Will he be visually redesigned and pop up in some big and meaningful way? Is this actually just that he’s incredibly bugged right now and I hadn’t noticed? I am confused. Enlighten me.
Update: Also, I am a silly. Dota 2‘s Frostivus page has been updated with text reading: “By decree of the only king that matters, FROSTIVUS IS CANCELLED.” So I guess my headline is wrong. It’s not coming after all.
That said, this isn’t a big surprise. It was cancelled last year for the Greeviling, as mentioned above. I guess this year we’ll be getting something similar!