14 DAY TRIAL // The wait has finally come to an end, as IceFrog releases its latest masterpiece. The new map has a huge changelog, maybe the biggest one yet. Almost every major aspect of the title has been changed: the heroes, the items, the shops, the taverns, the magic, the game modes and commands, etc.
Even from the start of the game, we notice a major change: the taverns are no longer placed at the end of each base, but like in the random draft mode (in the top-left corner of the map, hidden in the forest). There are now nine taverns instead of the usual eight – three for every class: Agility, Strength and Intelligence.
There are two new game modes that you can now experience: -cd (Captains Draft) and -rs (Random Side). You will be a little disappointed to find out that the Switch system doesn't work anymore (it's being replaced with a temporary command – so (Switch On), which will eventually be removed.
The new version has two new heroes: a strength-based character that replaces the old Tauren Chieftan and an intelligence hero, Batrider, with a very high strength level as well. There are many changed heroes, like Razor, who is almost completely reworked. He now has a Plasma Field, a Static Link and an Unstable Current. The old chain and purge of the Medusa are now replaced and named Mystic Snake and Stone Gaze.
New items will also make the delight of the fans: three shiny ones and four recipes will await them in the shops that are now called: - Gateway Relics (Misc items that are primarily early game upgrades); - Supportive Vestments (various support style items that will help the team); - Arcane Sanctum (castable or spell-related themed items); - Protectorate (defensive/survival style items); - Enchanted Artifacts (orb effect items); - Ancient Weaponry (all other weapon items). Also, don't be surprised if, on every side, you will find not one, but two goblin shops: Goblin Laboratory and Goblin Merchant.
As you will travel through the map, you will see that there are some new paths that you should learn in order to escape from your pursuers. The towers have a regeneration and armor system, but the backdoor problem hasn't been fixed yet.
These are just a few changes and, in order to learn them all, you will have to play, play and... play, so GL&HF!
