Valve shuts down Dotabuff

As of 2013-01-25 09:30:00 UTC, Valve has completely taken away our current method of gathering data. This means we are no longer able to get new matches, download replays, qualify aggregates, or properly calculate any other stats (like hero winrates).

While we understand the privacy concerns Valve might have with all data being publicly available, we believe the approach they are taking now is completely wrong. They are trying to force us to use the WebAPI, but there’s some serious downsides to it:

• Since the privacy option is private by default, most of the matches have no playerid, or 1 at most in them (the value is -1). This means we can’t calculate any accurate rankings for any players, even if their profile is public.
• They have removed the crucial part which makes up the replay url. Replay downloading and parsing was one of our biggest features (both existing and upcoming), which we spent months developing.
• When Valve launched the WebAPI (in July), it crashed or got shut down every few days, and wasn’t usable at all. They turned it off completely, and it hasn’t been up for the last 6 months. They have clearly shown the API isn’t a priority for them, and it doesn’t allow us to build a website on top of it.
• The WebAPI only came up yesterday, which means even if we wanted to switch to it, we had no time to test and implement it.

We believe there are better privacy alternatives than the one Valve implemented. For example, we had a privacy feature ready to launch today (see screenshots below), which completely removes your profile from our website, while still allowing us to serve accurate statistics to the rest of the community.

We have tried to keep an open dialogue with Valve over the last 6 months (they were aware of our upcoming features well beforehand), but apparently they are not interested in communicating with community websites.

We have invested a lot of our time and own money in trying to make Dotabuff one of the best sites out there, and we are absolutely devastated.

If you would like to express your opinion about this situation, contact Valve and let them know how you feel.

• icefrog@gmail.com
• http://www.valvesoftware.com/email.php
• http://dev.dota2.com/

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HERE ARE SCREENSHOTS OF OUR PRIVACY SETTING, WHICH WAS SET TO LAUNCH TODAY:

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FOR PLUS USERS

Thank you for your tremendous support. We are hopeful that this situation can still be resolved. If we are able to come back online we will be crediting accounts for downtime. Refunds will be honored - email support@dotabuff.com if you would like a refund. Thank you for your support.

Dota 2 Update - January 25th, 2013

- Updated the icons for the new Warlock and Lone Druid sets.
- Fixed units not pathing around invisible enemies.
- Fixed stolen Berserker's Rage not restoring the original attack type on death.
- Fixed for LP mode not limiting 40 heroes.
- Fixed Battle Trance affecting units like Spirit Bear. 

Dota 2 Update - January 24h, 2013

- Added Troll Warlord!
- Added All Random to matchmaking!
- Added tournament calendar view to the Watch tab!

GAMEPLAY
- The pathfinder now ignores obstructions that are due to units that are not visible to the pathing unit.
- Crystal Maiden: Fixed Freezing Field channeling ending if you get purged.
- Dazzle: Fixed Poison Touch slow and stun applying if BKB was used after it had been applied
- Drow: Fixed Drow Illusions carrying the double bonus from Marksmanship
- Keeper of the Light: Fixed Chakra being castable on magic immune allies.
- Keeper of the Light: Fixed Manta dispelling Mana Leak.
- Lifestealer: Fixed Rage not removing certain buffs that BKB does (Empower, Haste, etc).
- Medusa: Fixed Mana Shield happening after Stout/Vanguard damage block rather than before.
- Meepo: Fixed Poof considering dead illusions as valid destinations.
- Morphling: Fixed Replicate dying if Morphling dies with Aegis.
- Timbersaw: Fixed Whirling Death sometimes taking too long to cast when used with Timber Chain.
- Timbersaw: Fixed Chakram cast time behavior
- Visage: Fixed Attack and Defense type on level 3 Familiars
- Warlock: Fixed Aghanim Warlock Golems not doing enough damage
- Fixed MKB dealing bonus damage to towers.
- Fixed ground courier being able to block lanes and surround Roshan.
- Fixed being able to lifesteal more life than the target has.
- Fixed Diffusal Blade cooldown being 12 seconds instead of 8

UI
- Added Practice vs Bots option in the Play menu.
- Added a privacy setting in the UI so that players can specify whether they want to allow external 3rd party websites to be able to access their match history (defaulted to private).
- Least Played mode now eliminates each players' top 40 played heroes, up from 20.
- Added completion cost to shop item tooltips, displayed if the player has one or more components.
- Added tooltips to the shop category buttons.
- Fixed the Repick option disappearing too soon
- Fixed bug where buffs would sometimes display an incorrect duration sweep.
- Bringing up the combat log will now hide the killcam.
- Fixed bug where sometimes spectators would, when inspecting a player, not see thier cosmetic items.
- Fixed bug where Dota 2 would not track changes in the Windows default audio device.
- When spectating a game in directed, hero chase, or player view, the mouse will no longer be locked to the window

STORE
- Added new item sets for Lone Druid and Necrolyte.

BOTS
- Added Necrolyte bot.
- Added Witch Doctor bot.
- Sven will no longer War Cry when doing a casual retreat.
- Fixed Viper bot not harassing with his unique attack modifier.
- Fixed bug in Sandstorm avoidance that always made bots maximalliy avoid it.
- Adjusted the values so that bots are more willing to tanking creeps at high health/tankability ratings.
- Bots now take into account cleaving when determining what neutral camps they're willing to farm.
- Death Prophet bot will now use Carrion Swarm more when laning.
- Fixed bug that would cause bots to fountain-dive sometimes.

WORKSHOP
- Added a "Show Low-Res Model" checkbox that toggles between showing the low & high resolution LODs for imported models when in Loadout camera view.
- Now automatically switches to showing low-res models in the Day/Night camera views, and high-res models in the Portrait camera view (since that's how they're used by the game)
- Fixed "Other" submission type displaying a "failed to find content file" when submitting.
- Fixed Preview not resetting background properly when moving from Portrait to Day/Night view.
- Fixed Preview losing hero rotation when going to and from Portrait view.
- Fixed a case where the Add Wearable slot buttons didn't work for some slots on some heroes (like Sven) 

No, no problems here.

Don’t feed this guy.

In happier news, our new Calendar system is now available. Leagues can add events to the calendar making pro games easier to follow than ever before.

And what better way of using this new feature than by following the new SEA League? That GoDz guy is so dreamy.

We’ve also added All Random mode and tweaked Least Played to now hide a player’s top 40 heroes.

And unlike last week, I will properly link to the changelog this time.

Hello? Is this on?

In Today’s update you will find a new game mode called Least Played.

In this mode, players can only pick from their least played heroes. Having an even playing field for everyone in the match will hopefully encourage players to break out of their comfort zone and try new heroes. Give it a shot!

We’ve also changed the Shared Content panel. Some items in Dota 2 can be shared and used by other players in a match. The new panel should make it easier to browse the available shared items and help you be the coolest kid in town when everyone picks yours.

In other news, we recently saw game number 100,000,000 played. With over 3 million unique players every month, the Dota 2 community is blossoming into a beautiful flower.

Changelog!

Dota 2 Update - January 17th, 2013

Added Least Played mode to matchmaking! In this mode players can only choose from a list of their least played heroes. This mode is great for learning new heroes since everyone will be on equal footing.

GAMEPLAY
- Faceless Void: Fixed Backtrack working on HP Removal.
- Medusa: Mystic Snake now returns to restore you when it is blocked by Linken's Sphere.
- Meepo: Fixed an exploit with boot selection
- Riki: Fixed an issue with Permanent Invisibility on respawning.
- Slark: Fixed Impale based stuns not getting removed by Dark Pact.
- Issuing the haste command to the courier with the new UI no longer interrupts channeling spells on the primary hero.
- Fixed an exploit allowing items to be combined from multiple owners.
- Fixed Thunderclap being purgable.
- Fixed Malefice being purgable.
- Fixed Poison Touch being purgable and its interaction with BKB
- Fixed Brewmaster's Dispel not dealing damage to illusions.
- Fixed illusion damage interaction with other things that modify outgoing damage percentage (like Quelling Blade).
- Fixed being unable to target yourself with Force Staff if you are magic immune.
- Least Played Mode: The top 20 winning heroes for each player will be disabled. Heroes with less than 3 wins will not be disabled.

UI
- Fixed an exploit that let you bring up the panel to repick after the game started
- The Balanced Shuffle button now shows up for all non-league private lobbies.
- Fixed Nightstalker's darkness indicator persisting across games.
- Abandoned games are marked in the match history

BOTS
- Added Drow bot.
- Added Warlock bot (and Warlock Golem bot).
- Added support for bots using unique attack modifiers to harass while laning.
- Fixed bug that was causing bots to farm for buyback much earlier than they should.
- Fixed bug that was causing some bots to get stuck when trying to use a Tango.
- Bots that are lanemates of a carry will no longer jungle during the laning phase.
- If a hero is already jungling during the laning phase, additional bots will not jungle.

WORKSHOP
- Added Import Courier and Import Ward.
- Added support for animations and attachment points.
- Added Quicksave & Quickload import buttons to make it easy to redo a previous import.
- Added Centaur Warrunner, Batrider, Mirana, Keeper of the Light, Shadow Demon, and Slark to the Hero list (and http://www.dota2.com/workshop/requirements).
- Preview now allows you to add multiple cosmetic items onto the preview Hero.
- Preview now has a Portrait camera view.
- Preview now allows you to select a skin on models with multiple skins.
- Preview now visualizes attachment points on models that require attachments to be valid.
- Improved validation of polygon and bone count of submitted models. 

MEDUSA

Ranged - Carry

OVERVIEW

19 + 1.85

20 + 2.50

14 + 1.65

24 - 30

290

1.8

Split Shot

Medusa magically splits her shot into five arrows. These arrows deal a lower percent of her normal damage. The extra targets will not receive other attack effects (such as critical strike) and Unique Attack Modifiers.

Mystic Snake

A mystic snake made of energy jumps from target to target dealing damage and stealing some mana. After it reaches its last target, it jumps back to Medusa to replenish it with mana. The snake deals more damage and steals more mana per jump.

Mana Shield

Creates a shield that absorbs 50% of the incoming damage by using Medusa's mana.

Stone Gaze

Any enemy units staring at the Gorgon will slowly turn to stone, removing status buffs and slowing all speed properties. Deals damage to summoned units and illusions.

BIO

Beauty is power. This thought comforted Medusa--the youngest and loveliest of three beautiful Gorgon sisters, born to a sea goddess--because she alone of the sisters was mortal. It comforted her, that is, until the day masked assailants invaded the Gorgon realm and tore the two immortal sisters from their home, unmoved by their beauty or by their tears. One of the invaders seized Medusa as well, but then cast her aside with a disgusted look: 'This one has the mortal stink upon her. We have no use for that which dies.' Humiliated, enraged, Medusa fled to the temple of her mother and cast herself before the goddess, crying, 'You denied me eternal life--therefore I beg you, give me power! Power, so I can dedicate what life I have to rescuing my sisters and avenging this injustice!' After long thought, the goddess granted her daughter's request, allowing Medusa to trade her legendary beauty for a face and form of terrifying strength. Never for a moment has Medusa regretted her choice. She understands that power is the only beauty worth possessing--for only power can change the world.

STATS

25

15

1

LEVEL

1,548

855

416

HIT POINTS

1,084

584

247

MANA

124-130

79-85

44-50

DAMAGE

13

7

2

ARMOR

 

1800 / 800

SIGHT RANGE

600

ATTACK RANGE

1200

MISSILE SPEED

ABILITIES

Split Shot

Medusa magically splits her shot into five arrows. These arrows deal a lower percent of her normal damage. The extra targets will not receive other attack effects (such as critical strike) and Unique Attack Modifiers.

ABILITY: NO TARGET, TOGGLE

OUTGOING DAMAGE: 50% / 60% / 70% / 80%
EXTRA TARGETS: 4 / 4 / 4 / 4
RANGE: 700

Mystic Snake

A mystic snake made of energy jumps from target to target dealing damage and stealing some mana. After it reaches its last target, it jumps back to Medusa to replenish it with mana. The snake deals more damage and steals more mana per jump.

MANA COST: 140/150/160/170

COOLDOWN: 11

ABILITY: UNIT TARGET
AFFECTS: ENEMY UNITS
DAMAGE: MAGICAL

JUMP RADIUS: 475 / 475 / 475 / 475
JUMPS: 3 / 4 / 5 / 6
DAMAGE: 80 / 120 / 160 / 200
MANA STEAL: 20 / 30 / 40 / 50
INCREASE PER JUMP: 25%

Mana Shield

Creates a shield that absorbs 50% of the incoming damage by using Medusa's mana.

ABILITY: NO TARGET, TOGGLE

DAMAGE PER MANA: 0.75 / 1.25 / 1.75 / 2.25

Stone Gaze

Any enemy units staring at the Gorgon will slowly turn to stone, removing status buffs and slowing all speed properties. Deals damage to summoned units and illusions.

MANA COST: 200/100/0

COOLDOWN: 140/100/60

ABILITY: NO TARGET
DAMAGE: MAGICAL

RADIUS: 800 / 800 / 800
ILLUSION DAMAGE: 500 / 1000 / 1500

Announcing Dota 2 co-branded Plantronic headsets

What does a hero truly need? That is for YOU to decide. But if you happen to decide that Dolby® 7.1 surround sound technology is the sort of thing a hero like you could use, try the GameCom 780 headset with official Dota 2 headband. 



Valve is proud to announce that it has entered into a merchandise licensing agreement with Plantronics to bring you not only this superlative Dota-themed headset, but a digital cosmetic item that unlocks with your purchase: A special weapon, the popular Battlefury, especially for use by Faceless Void. Headset is available at Plantronics or at The Valve Store. 

Happy New Year!

Yep, we are back!

One little known fact about the world of Dota 2: Winter lasts less than a month. Astronomers have yet to figure out why but they think that it might have something to do with Doombringer’s hatred for wearing sweaters.

This also means those Frosty Treasures of Frostivus items will be melting away soon, so make sure you get a key and open them up! Glorious rewards await inside (we promise no tube socks will be found).

Have you been following the G-League tournament? If not, you have been missing out! Teams like DK, LGD and International Champions iG have been putting on a show. If you haven’t watched any games, do not worry, you can always find a ticket in the Dota 2 store which will not only grant you access to the live games but also any replays for games you might have missed. Check out their website for more details.

And here’s the little changelog that could.