The International 2024: A Look at the Compendium Rewards and the Debut of the Ringmaster

The International 2024 (TI24) is upon us, and as always, Dota 2 fans across the globe are buzzing with excitement. The tournament is not just a showcase of the best teams in the world but also a celebration of the game itself, with its pageantry, drama, and, of course, the coveted Compendium. However, this year, things feel a little different. There’s an undeniable sense that the Compendium might not live up to the expectations set by its predecessors. But before we dive into that, let’s talk about one of the most exciting additions to the game this year—the new hero, Ringmaster.

Meet the Ringmaster: Dota 2's Newest Hero

Valve has done it again. Just when you thought Dota 2’s roster couldn’t get any more diverse or unique, they drop the Ringmaster—a hero who promises to bring a whole new level of chaos and strategy to the battlefield.

Who is the Ringmaster?

The Ringmaster is a cunning trickster hailing from a mysterious circus that roams the world of Dota. His design is a perfect blend of flamboyance and menace, with a top hat that seems to hold more secrets than you’d care to discover and a grin that suggests he’s always one step ahead. But don’t let his playful appearance fool you; this hero is as dangerous as they come.

Abilities Breakdown

1. Tame the Beasts: CHANNELED - Ringmaster twirls his whip for up to 1 second then cracks it. Whipped enemies are damaged and flee in fear from Ringmaster. Channel time exponentially increases damage and extends the fear duration, but reduces the radius.

2. Escape Act: Ringmaster packs himself or an allied hero into a mobile, extradimensional box. Boxed units gain phased movement, slow resistance, bonus magic resistance, and bonus movement speed. They are also untargetable, muted, silenced, and disarmed. The box will pop open after the effect expires or it moves more than 500 units away.

3. Impalement Arts: Ringmaster throws one of his daggers to a precise point of his choosing. If he strikes an enemy, the dagger deals impact damage, briefly slows the unit hit, and causes them to bleed. The bleeding deals a percentage of the victim's maximum health in damage every second to heroes and flat damage per second to creeps.

4. Wheel of Wonder: Ringmaster rolls the Wheel of Wonder to the targeted location, knocking aside enemies along the way. After it reaches its target, enemies in range of the wheel take damage over time and are slowed by -50%.
   
   Enemy heroes who face the wheel for more than 0.5 seconds are mesmerized and drawn towards it. The first enemy to be mesmerized triggers a timer for the wheel to explode. If the timer is not triggered, it will automatically explode after 8 seconds.
   
   
5. Funhouse Mirror: Creates 1 imperfect image of your hero that lasts 18 seconds. Your illusion deals 28% and takes 300% damage.
   
   
6. Strongman Tonic: Temporarily increases an allied hero's Strength by 5 plus 1.5 per Ringmaster's level for 8 seconds. The effect holds for 4 seconds and then deteriorates over the duration.
   
   
7. Whoopee Cushion: Propels your hero forward 400 units. Leaves a 200 radius stink cloud behind for 3 seconds that slows enemies by -30%.
   
   
8. Spotlight: Ringmaster shines a spotlight that sweeps over an area. Enemies in the light have a chance to miss their attacks and are revealed if invisible.
   
   Illusions hit by the beam fade away, losing a percentage of their maximum health each second.

Playstyle and Strategy

The Ringmaster is a hero designed for those who love mind games and outplaying their opponents. His abilities require precise timing and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. He can fit into multiple roles—whether it’s mid, support, or even an offlane disruptor, depending on how creative you get with his skillset.

But as with any high-skill hero, there’s a steep learning curve. Mastering the Ringmaster means not just knowing when to use his abilities but also understanding the psychology of your opponents. If you can get into their heads, you’ve already won half the battle.

The Compendium: A Mixed Bag This Year?

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room—the Compendium. For years, the Compendium has been a staple of The International, offering players a chance to earn exclusive rewards, participate in fantasy leagues, and engage with the tournament in new and exciting ways. However, this year’s Compendium feels...different. And not necessarily in a good way.

What's Inside?

At first glance, the 2024 Compendium offers the usual fare—player cards, fantasy challenges, and, of course, the level rewards. But when you dig a little deeper, you might find yourself feeling a bit underwhelmed.

1. Level Rewards: In past years, leveling up your Compendium could net you some truly spectacular rewards—unique skins, immortal items, and even exclusive taunts. This year, however, the rewards seem a bit lackluster. Play dota, earn points. This year, you'll earn points for almost every game you play through the Weekly Challenge. You'll also earn bonus points for your first win of each day.

2. Oracle's Challenge: Foresee which teams will rise and which will falter, then revel in the precision of your predictions (if you got them right).

3. Fantasy Leagues: Fantasy leagues are another staple, allowing players to form virtual teams of their favorite pros and earn points based on their performance. This year’s setup is more or less the same, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it doesn’t bring anything new to the table either. It’s fun, sure, but it’s not the standout feature it once was.

4. Bingo: Receive randomly generated Bingo cards for each tournament stage, packed with quirky conditions and intriguing scenarios.
   
   
5. Physical Aegis Model: Complete your collection and satisfy that Aegis-shaped void on your shelf and in your heart with a 1/5th-scale nickel alloy replica of the legendary champion's prize.
6. The International 2024 HUD
   
7. 2024 Versus Screen
8. Player and Team Stickers
9. Permanent Chat Wheels
10. 2024 Effigy Block
11. Fantasy and Bingo Powerups
12. Favorite Team Teleport Effects
13. Loading Screens

Community Reactions

The Dota 2 community has never been shy about voicing their opinions, and the reaction to this year’s Compendium has been mixed at best. Some players appreciate the return of familiar features, while others feel that Valve is resting on its laurels.

There’s a growing sentiment that the Compendium is no longer the must-have item it once was. In previous years, it felt like an essential part of the TI experience—a way to feel more connected to the tournament and the community. This year, though, it feels more like an optional extra. Sure, it’s nice to have, but it’s not going to make or break your TI experience.

Is the Compendium Worth It?

So, the big question: should you invest in this year’s Compendium? The answer, as always, depends on what you’re looking for.

If you’re a die-hard Dota 2 fan who loves collecting every piece of memorabilia, then the Compendium is still worth picking up. There are enough rewards and features to keep you entertained, even if they don’t quite reach the heights of previous years. Plus, supporting The International is always a good thing—it’s what keeps the tournament going and helps ensure that Dota 2 remains one of the most exciting esports in the world.

However, if you’re on the fence, it might be worth waiting to see if Valve introduces any mid-tournament updates or additions. They’ve been known to surprise us before, and it’s possible that this year’s Compendium could still pull something special out of the hat.

Conclusion: A Year of Contrasts

The International 2024 is shaping up to be a year of contrasts. On one hand, we have the exciting debut of the Ringmaster, a hero who promises to bring fresh, dynamic gameplay to Dota 2. On the other hand, we have a Compendium that feels like it’s lacking the magic and innovation that made previous years so memorable.

As always, TI is more than just the sum of its parts. It’s about the thrill of competition, the passion of the community, and the stories that unfold on the biggest stage in esports. Whether you’re excited about the new hero, the Compendium, or just watching the best teams in the world duke it out, there’s plenty to look forward to.

So, what are your thoughts on this year’s Compendium? Are you excited to see what the Ringmaster brings to the table? Let’s discuss in the comments below!