Valve releases updates to Dota 2 and CS:GO on the same day

Valve is not one for communicating when they plan to do things, so it was a massive surprise when they dropped updates for their two biggest games last night.

Dota 2 received the Bladeform Legacy update, the headline of which was the new Juggernaut Arcana cosmetic item that was announced at The International 6 seven months ago. The new item is available to purchase for $34.99.

Outside of the new cosmetic item there was multiple balance changes, including a significant change to tower armour that looks set to increase the split pushing tactic. New hero Monkey King was also added to the game’s competitive mode, meaning the pro teams can now pick him in official matches.

The full patch notes can be seen here.

For CS:GO fans a new update finally dropped, bringing with it a new map and a new chest, as well as a few map changes to the active duty group.

Canals is the new map to be added to the game, and it bears more than a few similarities to Venice in Italy.

“The map is based on real-world environments that give each area its own architectural style as well as gameplay, and produce an unconventional layout,” reads Valve’s description of the map. “The CT side is composed of a large, wide open area while the T-controlled territory forms a crescent of smaller spaces around it and provides multiple approaches to each bomb site.”

The update also improved the model of the Phoenix Terrorist and added a new case with 17 community designed skins up for grabs.

The full patch notes can be seen here.