Muerta, the new hero in Dota 2, had been planned for inclusion in the game by Valve approximately two years ago. It has become customary for Valve to unveil new heroes during The International, and this tradition has persisted since the MOBA sequel was first launched. This year, Muerta, a Mexican woman associated with death, has been officially introduced through a remarkably stylish video. Players can anticipate her arrival in the game at the beginning of 2023.

Following the usual pattern of Gabe Newell’s team, Valve provided only a brief video that primarily showcased Muerta’s design without divulging much about her abilities as a hero. However, Valve being Valve, scattered clues, and hints throughout the game for several years.

The Connection to the Revenant’s Brooch

The connection between Muerta and the Revenant’s Brooch is a matter of intrigue. Clues about her existence began to surface on the 7.31 update. Alongside the arrival of the overpowering Primal Beast wreaking havoc in the pubs, game developers introduced three new items: the Wraith Pact, infamous for causing chaos during TI 2022; the rare and valuable Boots of Bearing; and, lastly, the enigmatic Revenant’s Brooch. Although the Brooch is not widely popular due to its high price, it holds significant strength in the late stages of the game, especially when wielded by intelligence carriers such as Lina, Dark Willow, Silencer, or OD. In the 7.31 update released on February 24, Valve described the new item:

“The legends of the Revenant’s Brooch have persisted for centuries, and certain cultures still celebrate the tales of its cursed possessor, although few believe these mythical origin stories to be true.”

The mention of “some cultures” alludes to real-world connections. It points towards Santa Muerte, a contemporary death cult associated with the Lady of Holy Death. This cult is prevalent in Latin America and the southern regions of the United States. Devotees of Santa Muerte regard Death as a benevolent and benevolent deity capable of granting any desire. Depicted as a skeleton or a woman with a skull in place of a head, the Lady of Holy Death holds great significance within the cult’s beliefs and practices.

The Day of the Dead and Symbolism

The celebration of the Day of the Dead, observed on November 1-2, is a time when people commemorate their departed loved ones. According to legend, the souls of the deceased visit their homes during these days, blurring the boundaries between the living and the dead. Cemeteries are adorned with ribbons and flowers, while roads are illuminated by candles, serving as guides for the spirits to find their way back home.

The description of the Revenant’s Brooch in the game echoes this connection:

• “It is the cursed brooch of a fallen guardian who forever lingers between the realms of life and death.”

In the trailer, candles and numerous flowers are prominently displayed. The Brooch is worn around the character’s neck, featuring a metallic base adorned with feathers and inscriptions, evoking a sense of mystique.

Muerta and Asan’s Relationship

One character deeply intertwined with Muerta is Asan, the recent Phantom Assassin Persona. His unaddressed lines express a strong bond with her:

• “Guide my hand,Mother. I shall kill for you like always.”
• “Why… mother? Now I live my nightmare. And you are no longer here to wake me…”
• “My childhood dream comes true–to fight at your side. To you, I owe everything. I won’t let us fail.”

Upon acquiring the Revenant’s Brooch, Asan utters these words:

• “I’ll hold onto this. For her.”
• “I should leave this at her resting place…”

However, his statement, “I had no parents. Only teachers,” implies that the motherly figure he refers to is symbolic rather than literal. The Veiled Order, which exclusively seeks orphans, took Asan under their wing. Surprisingly, Muerta, for unknown reasons, adored the boy and raised him as her own. Asan reflects on the Order and Muerta in his monologues:

• “I had no parents. Only teachers. Disgraced sisters of the Veiled Order… Who plucked me from the viper’s nest? For I alone was born to stand against those who scheme to alter fate. I was not a child to them.”
• “I was raised by fallen angels–the outcasts of the Order. But it was not they alone who saved me. There was another. A ghostly figure. Inspiring equal parts love and fear. She guided the hands of my saviors. And still appears to me, in times of dire need…”

In Asan’s initial appearance in the game, the fluttering red leaves could be marigolds, the traditional flowers associated with the Day of the Dead. Interestingly, the trailer for Muerta shown during TI2022’s stream displayed these red leaves, while the version available on YouTube does not include them.

This narrative holds a remarkable poetic quality, capturing the essence of Muerta’s story.

Muerta’s Abilities and Role

But there is more to uncover. Valve had been preparing Muerta for quite some time. Although the recent clues were added recently, certain unused lines spoken by Dota 2 heroes have long hinted at Muerta’s existence.

• For instance, the WK Arcana includes phrases like “Ditch that other loser [Asan?], and take a walk on the dead side” and “Hollow bones? Why would I kill you again if you weren’t already dead.”
• Hoodwink, another hero, utters the line “I don’t even know enough about you to care that you’re dead.”

It’s worth noting that despite Muerta visibly holding only one pistol, she will be capable of dual wielding. A closer look at a screenshot reveals the presence of a second pistol attached to her belt on the left side.

Let’s delve into Muerta’s skills and abilities. In the past, data miners discovered numerous details about unreleased heroes from the leaked Dota code, including references to Valkyrie, Squirrel, and Primal Beast. Dawnbreaker and Hoodwink were eventually revealed as two of these heroes.

Within the data, lines are referring to NPC_DOTA_HERO_CORPSE_MOTHER and NPC_DOTA_HERO_GUNSLINGER. While Hoodwink’s abilities combined elements from Squirrel and Mouse to form a unique hero, it’s unlikely to be the case with Muerta since Gunslinger is categorized as a strength-based hero. However, Corpse Mother possesses the following potential skills:

1. Grave Grapple: This ability is likely to grant quick movement toward enemy heroes or through trees and obstacles, possibly utilizing a grappling hook. Quite a useful skill;
2. Life Link: It could involve shifting into the realm of the dead or providing healing to allies and damage to enemies;
3. Soul Swell: This ability might function as an area-of-effect damage spell. Alternatively, Muerta could receive bonus damage based on the amount of damage dealt to enemies;
4. True Love: While it may not be her ultimate ability, the name suggests something chilling. What could be more terrifying than the love of death’s revenant? It might result in an immensely powerful strike or a high-damage mode. Furthermore, it could potentially cause a transformation in Muerta’s form, as hinted in the trailer.

As of now, this is the extent of our knowledge regarding Muerta’s abilities.

The question remains: what role will Muerta assume? Will she be a support, a core, or even a new mid-laner? It has been quite some time since we’ve witnessed a pure position 1 carry, especially one that is intelligence-based. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until 2023 to find out.

In conclusion

Furthermore, Muerta’s enigmatic presence and connection to the Day of the Dead evoke curiosity and anticipation. The inclusion of marigold-like red leaves in her debut appearance hints at a profound thematic connection to this revered tradition. These symbolic elements bring an extra layer of depth and cultural significance to Muerta’s character, suggesting a poignant and immersive storytelling experience.

As the pieces of Muerta’s puzzle slowly come together, players eagerly await her arrival to witness her true potential. Speculations abound regarding her role in the game—will she excel as a support, a formidable core, or perhaps redefine the mid-lane dynamics with her unique skill set? The prospect of a powerful intelligence-based carry stirs excitement among Dota 2 enthusiasts, offering a refreshing twist to strategic gameplay.

Yet, the full extent of Muerta’s capabilities and her place in the intricate tapestry of Dota 2’s heroes remains shrouded in mystery. It is only in the year 2023 that players will finally have the opportunity to unveil Muerta’s true nature and witness her prowess on the battlefield, eagerly awaiting the arrival of this enigmatic hero who promises to bring a captivating blend of lore, skills, and gameplay to the world of Dota 2.