During The International 2023 Grand Finals between Team Spirit and Gaimin Gladiators, Valve treated Dota 2 fans to a chilling, Halloween-themed revelation — the enigmatic Ringmaster. 

The trailer opens with an eerie voice, weaving a narrative of luring and ensnaring heroes to bend them to its sinister will, all set to a hauntingly captivating melody. Within this macabre carnival of horrors, an unsuspecting Axe becomes ensnared in a nefarious game, his weapon unwittingly triggering a classic high striker carnival challenge that spirals into a nightmarish contraption, devouring him whole.

Our initial glimpse of the Ringmaster emerges from a circus-style poster, portraying a lithe figure adorned with mechanical accouterments, reminiscent of a traditional showman. Yet, the teaser leaves us in suspense, withholding a sneak peek at this ominous character's abilities in action.

The teaser suggests that Ringmaster is slated for a debut in 2024, hinting at a possible release within the window of February to May—a timeframe traditionally reserved for Spring hero launches.

Furthermore, this revelation strongly implies that Ringmaster draws inspiration from Heroes of Newerth's Puppet Master. It's noteworthy that the datamined files for Dota 2's newest hero bear the codename "Puppet Master," a clandestine reference that has been circulating for quite some time. Notably, "Ringmaster" surfaced earlier this year in the wake of Dota 2's summer update, adding fuel to the speculation.

If the connection to Puppet Master holds true, the Ringmaster is poised to possess an uncanny ability to manipulate and coerce other heroes, bending them to its malevolent whims. Dota 2 fans worldwide eagerly await this insidious addition to the hero roster, eager to see how the Ringmaster's unique abilities will shape the future of the game.