A veteran of the pro scene, Dmitry “Korb3n” Belov, has shared his opinion on when the next Dota 2 hero will be released, surprising fans with an update we all hope is accurate.

Valve didn’t announce a new Dota 2 hero at The International 2025, breaking a tradition that stretches back nearly a decade. Korb3n, however, thinks we’ll still get to play with a new Dota 2 hero before the end of 2025.

Next Dota 2 Hero To Release In 2025

The 36-year-old Russian manager, while streaming Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Twitch, shared his opinion on when the next Dota 2 hero will be released. 

“This year, a new hero should be added before the end of the year,” proclaimed Korb3n, giving fans renewed hope. 

Many Dota 2 players doubted that a new hero would be released this year after Valve made no announcement. Korb3n’s opinion carries significant weight in the community. After all, under his management, Team Spirit won The International 2021 and 2023—an incredible feat.

It is important to note that Korb3n didn’t claim he had any inside information. Therefore, fans should take the statement as the opinion of a veteran in the scene, and with a grain of salt, until Valve officially reveals the new hero details.

Who Is The New Dota 2 Hero?

At the time of writing, the next Dota 2 hero has not been revealed. However, a leading theory suggests the hero called “Bard Frog.” The name was first spotted via a datamine in late September. A hero called Arjun, likely linked to Arjuna of Indian mythology, was spotted more recently (mid-November) in a datamine of files from an experimental Dota 2 server.

In the Monster Hunter crossover update, mention of a hero called “Frug” was also found. Frug could be a codename for “Bard Frog,” or something entirely different. Korb3n steered clear of attaching a name to the next Dota 2 hero. 

For reference, the latest Dota 2 hero to release was Kez (November 7, 2024), who finally entered the esports scene in patch 7.39e on October 3, 2025. If Team Spirit’s manager is correct, however, Dota 2 fans won’t have to wait long for an official reveal.