TI 2025 thrills fans but breaks tradition with no new Dota 2 hero reveal

    The International 2025 certainly delivered when it came to thrilling contests and Team Falcons' remarkable title run, but it also left the Dota 2 community a little bit disappointed.

    Grimstroke Grimstroke

    For the first time since 2017, the tournament ended without the debut of a new hero - ending an eight-year streak that had become one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the event.

    Since TI 2018, Valve has used the grand stage to unveil additions to the roster.

    Supporters still remember the surprise of Mars and Grimstroke arriving together in 2018, followed by Snapfire and Void Spirit in 2019. Although the pandemic delayed TI10 in 2020, the tradition resumed strongly: Marci appeared in 2021, Muerta in 2022, Ringmaster in 2023, and Kez in 2024.

    Now, with TI 2026 set for Shanghai, questions remain: was this simply another pause like 2017, or does it mark a change in how Valve plans to release future heroes?

    Only time will tell.