Danko the Dolphin — new Dota 2 character!

Valve haven't released new heroes for a long time, have they? We are used to getting a character roster update during The International, and this year, even though the TI was moved, something is coming! 

Do you hear a strange sound that seems to be centered within you? And what is this, the humidity has increased? How come there are puddles around?

Throughout the entire OMEGA League, there were prerequisites, clues, and easter eggs. You just had to put the puzzle pieces into a whole component.

You probably already guessed it (and the title of the article is a full-fledged spoiler). Greet and fear, for you cannot hide from the ocean hunter:

Danko the Dolphin!

Danko is a brand new Dota 2 character, with the release date to be announced later. Check out the skills description, lore base, and more!

Danko Lore

Danko is a Forsaken Dolphin Acolyte from the Isle of Songs. He was once ordered to deliver the legendary Admiral Kunkka’s Tidebringer to the port of Mignin, but when Danko arrived at the Shivering Isle, he accidentally ended up in the center of a battle between the Claddish fleet and the demons of the Cataract. In the heat of battle, the ancient leviathan Tidehunter used a dark ritual to summon Maelrawn the Tentacular and the monster who saw the beginning of times brought chaos to the place.

The awakened god's titanic tentacles shattered masts, tore sails, and raised deadly waves. In a monstrous elemental storm, the Claddish fleet was defeated, and the devastated and abandoned Cataract was pulled back into the void rift.

Judging by the gleaming blade in the hands of the ghostly admiral, Danko managed to complete his assignment. But the dolphin never returned to the Isle of Songs. Rumors say that he was seen near the Slytherins’ stronghold Cray; someone heard of him on the way from the Sunken Isles. He last appeared at the borders of the Dark Reef, and his body was covered with ritual drawings, and ancient armor glittered on his left hand.

What is Danko looking for in such unpredictable and dangerous places? Perhaps a way to counter the ancient deity? Or maybe a way to subdue him?

Danko`s Skills

Puffer Punt

Target Area Affects, Magical

Danko the Dolphin chews on the flesh of a puffer fish, inebriating himself. Increases damage resistance to all types of damage.  After a short channel time, Donnie SPIKES the puffer fish like a volleyball in a direction he chooses. When spiked, the puffer fish will leave behind a trail of water in it’s wake. If the ball hits an enemy, it will explode, slowing all enemies in it’s aoe.

• Cast Animation: 0.3+0.6
• Cast Range: 700 (Talent 775)
• Effect Radius: 425
• Damage: 130/170/210/260 (Talent 370/410/450/500)
• Move Speed Slow: 20%/30%/40%/50%
• Attack Speed Slow: 20/30/40/50
• Slow Duration: 4.5
• Cooldown 11/10/9/8 (Talent 8/7/6/5); Mana 130/145/160/175

Does not pierce spell immunity. Slow persists if debuff was placed before spell immunity and when not dispelled.

Did you know dolphins get high? Did you know dolphins are sadists and torture their prey?

Dank Dive

No Target Affects, Self

When near a body of water (the river or a trail created by Puffer Punt) Danko can dive under the surface, gaining invisibility and increased move speed over time. When reaching the water’s edge, Danko breaches and flies through the air, traveling further the more speed he accumulated. Upon impact with dry land, Danko will stun all enemies in an aoe, dealing damage. Leaves a puddle in it’s wake. Landing in a water source (the river, wake of puffer, or a puddle) allows for continued movement and speed bonuses until land is hit.

• Cast Animation: 0+0
• River Movement Speed Bonus: 7%/19%/31%/43%
• River Health Regen Bonus: 0 ( 35)
• River Armor Bonus: 0 ( 12)
• River Status Resistance Bonus: 0% ( 40%)
• Active Movement Speed Bonus: 18%/26%/34%/42%
• Active Duration: 10
• Cooldown 17; Mana 25

Aghanim's upgrade: Provides additional HP Regen, Armor and Status Resistance while in a puddle or in the river.

Modifiers

• Buff Sprint: Dispellable with any dispel.
• Buff Sprint River: Dispellable with any dispel.

Danko is most at home in the water, where he is fast and deadly. Thus his pray believes the land to be safe, but they soon realize he tends to take the water with him.

Echo Location

Target Point Affects

Danko the Dolphin launches a hypersonic squeak, which travels the entire length of the map. When the sound wave connects with an enemy unit, the sound wave travels back and reveals a outline of the enemy unit to Danko and his allies of that location. The closer the enemy is, the faster the sound wave bounces back, while far off enemies will take some time to return.

• Cast Animation: 0.452+0.9
• Cast Range: 700
• Starting Radius: 100
• Travel Distance: 900
• End Radius: 450
• Cooldown 125 (Talent 112.5) (Agh's: 40; 36) Mana 250/400/550

Aghanim's Upgrade: changes echolocation from a frontal cone to 360 degrees. Increases wave return speed.

The dolphin’s unique sonar abilities allow them to travel safely through the most dangerous underwater terrain. But also greatly aids in the hunting of prey

So long, and thanks for all the fish (Ultimate)

Target Point Affects

Danko calls out to his pod, summoning them after a short channel to his location. The pod swims around him, creating puddle, then leaps into the air to the nearest o.ookwater source. Should Danko or a member of the pod contact an enemy, they will carry  the enemy with them on their back. The pod and danko can continue to jump from one water source to another, but cannot return to used water sources. Enemies are carried on the dolphin’s backs until they hit dry land. Enemies cannot act while along for the ride, but Danko and pod members can be stunned to free riding enemies.

• Cast Animation: 0.452+0.9
• Cast Range: 700
• Starting Radius: 100
• Travel Distance: 900
• End Radius: 450
• Cooldown: 125 ( 112.5) ( 40,  36) 250/400/550
• Agh's increases pod from 3 to 4

Modifiers

• Knockback: Dispellable with any dispel.

Call the bois, the party’s getting started. And this party is going on the road