Kez Release Date Skills Lore
During the excitement of The International 2024, Valve unveiled the next addition to Dota 2's roster: Kez. Previously known by the code name „Bird Samurai,“ this new hero is set to make an impactful entrance onto the Dota 2 battlefield. Players are eager to learn more about Kez’s abilities and backstory, which promise to add fresh dynamics to the game.
Kez emerges from the shadows of previous lore, promising unique gameplay experiences and captivating narrative elements. As anticipation builds, fans are speculating how this character will influence the strategies and team compositions within the Dota 2 community.
Who is Kez, the Latest Dota 2 Hero?
Kez is a compelling addition to the roster of Dota 2, bringing rich lore and dynamic gameplay. Known as a Flightless, Kez is one of the founders of the Kazurai, a group of birdlike monk warriors renowned for their agility and combat prowess. Kez's backstory is entrenched in the epic Crownfall saga, where he plays a pivotal role in opposing Queen Imperia's rule.
- Background: Kez, also referred to as Kestrel, emerged as a key character alongside Shen (Vengeful Spirit) and Dragonus (Skywrath Mage) as they embarked on missions connected to the Kazurai army's goals. As a youth, Kez displayed remarkable skill and bravery, having infiltrated a highly guarded area to liberate an imprisoned warrior named Kraw. This courageous act marked him as the first initiate of the Kazurai order.
- Role in the Story: Throughout the Crownfall chapters, Kez evolves from a daring young leader into a vital figure in the struggle against tyranny. In later acts, his potential and leadership are highlighted when he is persuaded to join forces with other heroes to combat the oppressive regime threatening their world.
This character not only enriches the narrative landscape of the game but also enhances the strategic possibilities for players.
Kez's Abilities in Dota 2: Key Aspects, Core Ability, and More
Kez enters the scene as a highly anticipated Agility carry in Dota 2, bringing a unique style and versatile skill set. This hero, with a samurai-like approach and a penchant for high-damage right-click attacks, offers intriguing gameplay dynamics. His abilities are centered around versatility and adaptability, using two interchangeable weapons: the Kazurai Katana and the Shodo Sai.
Primary Abilities
Echo Slash
This attack unleashes a sharp, forward strike in a straight line using his katana. It inflicts a percentage of his attack power while slowing enemies for a short duration. Following a brief delay, Kez executes another strike in the same area, augmenting the damage, especially against enemy heroes.
Grappling Claw
A strategic ability that lets Kez alternate between his Kazurai Katana and Shodo Sai, providing varied combat capabilities. As he levels up, the cooldown decreases, allowing more frequent weapon changes to adapt to different combat situations.
Kazurai Katana
Switching to the Kazurai Katana form enhances Kez's offensive capabilities. This transformation emphasizes his ability to dish out significant damage, customizing the attack style based on the weapon of choice.
Switch Discipline
Empowers Kez to mark his enemies when using the Sai. This mark slows the foe and enables the next attack to hit with True Strike, stunning and inflicting critical damage. Activation of this ability also allows Kez to disarm himself while deflecting incoming attacks, stunning and marking any attacker.
Raptor Dance
During this move, Kez channels energy for a second, gaining resistance against magic and debuffs. If uninterrupted, this skill results in an area attack that deals damage proportional to the target's maximum health, healing Kez by a portion of the damage done and providing a dispel.
Additional Abilities
Falcon Rush
This ability lets Kez charge towards his opponents, enabling him to deliver follow-up strikes. These strikes benefit from phased collision and a more stable attack rate, reducing dependency on attack speed.
Talon Toss
Kez hurls a Sai at an opponent, which explodes upon impact. This explosion not only deals damage but also silences all nearby enemies, opening tactical opportunities.
Shodo Sai
Utilizing the Shodo Sai rather than marking straightforwardly mirrors the Switch Discipline but using a different weapon. It enables the same strategic marking and parrying technique, presenting distinct gameplay layers.
Raven's Veil
Casting a smoke wave surrounding himself, Kez employs this ability to mark numerous nearby enemies simultaneously with Sai’s unique effects. It conceals him through increased speed and invisibility until he strikes.
Hero Aspects and Core Ability
Facet: Warrior of the Flightless
Kez embodies an intriguing facet as a member of the Flightless, with hints at potential future enhancements, portraying a hero equipped for battle with yet-unrevealed powers.
Innate Ability: Shift Approach
The capability to alternate between Katana and Sai forms is pivotal to Kez's combat strategy. This innate feature facilitates dynamic engagements, allowing him to switch between different skill sets, modifying his approach as dictated by the battlefield conditions.
Kez brings not just a diverse range of abilities but also strategic depth to the game, offering players various ways to leverage his unique skill set effectively in different match scenarios.
When is Kez's release date in Dota 2?
Kez, the new hero in Dota 2, is set to be introduced alongside the final chapter of Crownfall Act IV. Initially anticipated for a release in the last week of September, this plan was delayed following The International (TI13). Updates posted in early November confirmed that players can expect to access both Kez and Crownfall Act IV starting on November 7. This release follows the hype generated by the official trailer showcased during TI13.
Kez's Role in the Crownfall Saga
In the brief yet revealing hero trailer for Kez, the phrase „Unity in Flight,“ serves as a rallying cry for the Kazurai. This theme is reinforced when the trailer declares, „Every revolution needs a hero,“ positioning Kez as a pivotal figure against Queen Imperia's dark reign.
Kez initially experiences defeat at the hands of this evil queen, which is a testament to the challenges faced. Despite this setback, there is a promise of redemption as Kez's journey unfolds. Act IV of Crownfall is set to portray this arc, focusing on Kez's transformation from defeat to a force of change.
The narrative arc in Crownfall Act IV places Kez at its core, as fans anticipate the hero's emergence as a decisive figure in the narrative's conclusion.
