In Update 2.9, become the terrifying Churnwalker. Experience two new items in a reworked crystal gameplay experience. Test the boundaries of survivability with teamfight-extending health, armor & shield buffs. Reap the benefits of a clearer vision system. It’s a packed update with plenty to chew on. Keep reading for all the details. …

TABLE OF CONTENTS

NEW HERO: CHURNWALKER

CRYSTAL TREE REWORK

TWO NEW ITEMS

NEW SKINS

TEAMFIGHT HEALTH

VISION CHANGES

DAMAGE TYPE CONSISTENCY

LANE MINION NORMALIZATION

META CHANGES

BLITZ UPDATES

CHROMEBOOK KEYBOARD & MOUSE SUPPORT

HERO BALANCE

ITEM BALANCE

TALENTS BALANCE

BUG FIXES & IMPROVEMENTS

NEW HERO: CHURNWALKER

Churnwalker is a disruptor who throws multiple skillshot hooks, chaining victims to him. This playmaking captain has some of the highest damage and self-healing capabilities in the game … if you can tap into his full potential.

Churnwalker is unlockable with ICE only for the first seven days. Afterward, you will be able to unlock him with ICE or Glory.

HERO ABILITIES

FUTILITY OF LIFE (HEROIC PERK)

– Whenever chained victims take damage from any source, Churnwalker regenerates a percentage of that damage as health.

– Whenever any chained victim takes damage, a percentage of that damage is conferred on all other chained victims.

HOOK & CHAIN (A)

Churnwalker throws a skillshot hook that chains victims to him and damages heroes over time. Hitting a hook resets this ability’s cooldown.

TORMENT (B)

Torment yanks all chained victims toward Churnwalker a fixed distance, damaging them.

TRESPASS (ULTIMATE)

Churnwalker channels churn power for a short time, then travels to the target location, stunning all chained victims and breaking all chains. Churnwalker can only target a location near a chained victim. Leveling this ability increases its stun duration and lowers its cooldown.

HERO TALENTS

CHURN TANK (RARE)

Futility of Life (Perk) has significantly increased healing but decreased damage share.

CLOUD OF TORMENT (EPIC)

Activating Torment (B) releases a powerful Churn Cloud that damages enemies over time, making Churnwalker a dangerous threat at close range. Cooldown increased.

GRAPPLING HOOK (LEGENDARY)

Churnwalker’s Hook & Chain (A) gains a grappling hook. This ability has dramatically increased range and can grapple to targets, pulling Churnwalker to the hooked location.

CRYSTAL TREE REWORK:

DISTINCT ITEM IDENTITIES & MORE DIVERSITY

“Welcome to the crystal tree rework! There were two large goals we wanted to hit with this project: First, we wanted to create clear item identities — items should be distinct from each other and be clear what kind of playstyle they support, which makes it clear for opponents facing these items, as well. Second, we wanted to create more meaningful decisions when purchasing crystal items; it should never be about building the same items over and over again every game.

“With these changes, players should be able to piece together a completed crystal build that best complements their style, their hero and their team composition, as well as effectively counterbuilding against how their opponents are playing.” —Sonata

CLOCKWORK

“The old Clockwork had a mismatched item identity and lacked meaningful decision-making. The new Clockwork brands itself as the premier cooldown reduction item for mages and can be purchased early game for an aggressive power spike or late game to complement other crystal items. It’s a great purchase for players who want to deal consistent damage or poke.” —Sonata

Total cost: 2500

Recipe: Void Battery and Chronograph

+60 crystal power

crystal power +35% cooldown speed

cooldown speed +250 max energy

max energy +7.5 energy regen

energy regen Passive: Upon damaging an enemy hero with an ability, reduce all cooldowns by 7.5%. This can only occur once every 2 seconds.

FROSTBURN

“The old Frostburn provided unreliable slows, so it wasn’t clear when you should opt into it or when it was available. The new Frostburn provides a hero with reliable slows at the cost of damage potential, and it is great for players who want to opt into a kite or dueling-oriented playstyle, or players who want to support their team through providing an additional source of slow.” —Sonata

Total cost: 2800

Recipe: Heavy Prism and Eclipse Prism

+85 crystal power

crystal power Passive: Crystal damage abilities slow enemy heroes by 30% for 1 second.

BROKEN MYTH

“With the addition of Dragon’s Eye, Broken Myth lost its passive but hones in on its shield-piercing properties. Broken Myth is now defined as the go-to item for players who want to punch a hole in enemies with heavy amounts of shield.” —Sonata

Total cost: 2700

Recipe: Heavy Prism and Piercing Shard

+80 crystal power

crystal power Shieldbreaker: +30% shield pierce

NEW ITEMS!

DRAGON’S EYE

“The old Broken Myth passive amplified crystal damage and had a longer time until stack decay, which made it only desired by crystal carries and made fighting against poke more oppressive. As the descendent of the old Broken Myth passive, Dragon’s Eye is a great buy for players who want to go in and stay in, including supports! The dance of keeping stacks up also emphasizes skillful play from those who want to kite.” —Sonata

Total cost: 3000

Recipe: Heavy Prism and Eclipse Prism

+85 crystal power

Passive: Gain 20 crystal power for each second you are damaging enemy heroes. After 2.5s, lose 3 stacks per second. 9 stacks max.

SPELLFIRE

“Spellfire is an item meant to complement players who want to opt into a more poke- and disengage-oriented playstyle. At the cost of max damage potential, this item allows players to deal more damage in multiple segmented skirmishes instead of burst or prolonged engagements.” —Sonata

Total cost: 2700

Recipe: Heavy Prism and Eclipse Prism

+90 crystal power

Passive: Abilities dealing crystal damage to enemies (excluding lane minions) deal 100% of your crystal power as bonus crystal damage over 4s.

NEW HERO SKINS

‘Fly or Die’ Baron (Legendary)

Skye isn’t the only hero sporting a sweet new ride. Baron has a brand-new mech that converts into a helicopter for high-tech, speedy fun!

AVAILABILITY

Oct. 11: Rare Mystery Chest for 199 ICE. The chances of pulling his skin are 1/20.

Rare Mystery Chest for 199 ICE. The chances of pulling his skin are 1/20. Oct. 18: Direct purchase for 3599 ICE

MODEL, ANIMATION & SFX CHANGES

Transforms into a helicopter while sprinting & Jump Jetting

while sprinting & Jump Jetting Redesigned cherry-red mech with helicopter nacelles

with helicopter nacelles All new air-to-ground missile launcher

Checks his rotor while idling

Whistling sound for falling Porcupine Mortars & Ion Cannons

Zoom! mechanical sounds during Jump Jets

Improved Head-up Display sunglasses

Hand-signals to start engines, transforms and flies on recall

Time Porcupine Mortars during Jump Jets for a sweet heli-flip!