Dota 2’s ‘meta-defining’ New Frontiers update makes the map 40 percent bigger

Dota 2one of the world’s most popular esports titles with over 300,000 concurrent players on Steam as I write these wordsjust fell a massive update called New Frontiers that will probably change the free-to-play game forever. And the biggest difference is by far property: The game’s entire map is now 40 percent larger, allowing you to explore around the edges.

“The core objective of the game remains the same,” Valve assures – “your lanes aren’t further apart and everything you need to win is still in the center of the map.”

A few of the new treats.
Image: Valve

But Valve goes on to describe “meta-defining new features”, new locations, new Tormentor mini-bosses, vision granting neutral units called Watchers, Lotus Pools that generate fruits, new items, matchmaking changes, UI tweaks to the health bars, and a host of rebalancing of heroes that will hit every character in the game.

Bigger creeps. Less anesthesia.
Image: Valve