Imperia is one of the most talked-about names in the Dota 2 community. After her appearance in Crownfall Act IV, fans have been speculating whether she could be the next hero, following in the footsteps of Kez, Ringmaster, and Muerta. With so many clues pointing her way, the excitement has only grown stronger.

In this guide, we’ll answer the burning question: Is Imperia the next hero in Dota 2? We’ll also discuss her lore ties, why fans believe she’s a candidate, her possible abilities and role, and—more importantly, when she might be released.

Who Is Imperia In Dota 2 Lore?

While she hasn’t officially been released as a new Dota 2 hero, Imperia debuted as the sinister Skywrath-like figure during the Crownfall event. Known as the treacherous sister of Shendelzare (Vengeful Spirit), she betrayed her sibling and cast her out of the Ghastly Eyrie (the capital of the Skywrath race), claiming power for herself.

This betrayal set the stage for Imperia’s rise as the primary antagonist of the Dota 2 Crownfall event, where she served as the final boss in the Nest of Thorns at the end of Skywrath’s Spires. Associated with heroes like Vengeful Spirit, Skywrath Mage, and Kez, Imperia embodies the ruthless politics of the Skywrath race.

Why Could Imperia Be The Next Dota 2 Hero?

Possibly. Valve has a pattern of teasing new heroes in Dota 2 through lore events and updates. For example, Muerta was teased via Day of the Dead imagery months before release. Ringmaster appeared in TI voice lines long before he was confirmed, while Kez debuted during Crownfall’s quests before his reveal as a hero.

Imperia fits this exact blueprint. In particular, her central role in Crownfall Act IV, combined with her unique design and narrative significance, feels like a solid foundation for a new playable character. The timing also aligns neatly with Valve’s hero release cadence, typically tied to seasonal events or The International.

Having said that, Imperia is already technically playable as a persona-style variant of Vengeful Spirit’s Arcana (The Resurrection of Shen). This gives her a stronger presence in-game than most lore-only characters like Abzidian, which has fueled speculation that she could evolve into a full hero in future updates.

What Are Imperia’s Abilities & Role In Dota 2?

While Imperia’s kit in Dota 2 is still unknown, her lore does offer some hints as to what we could expect. As a Skywrath sovereign, her theme is speculated to revolve around power, control, and avian magic. Community speculation also suggests she may echo elements of Vengeful Spirit while carving out her own identity.

Around a year ago, a Reddit user r/bc524 created a detailed hero concept that has since circulated widely, giving us a glimpse of how Imperia could function as a ranged agility hero in the game.

Imperia Hero Concept In Dota 2

• [Q] Conspiracy of Ravens: Summons a flock of ravens to strike a target, dealing bonus damage and healing Imperia for a portion.
• [W] Tyrant’s Sigil: Marks enemies to reduce their speed and make them vulnerable to her allies’ attacks.
• [E] Skulduggery (Passive): Each attack or curse stacks “Skulduggery,” which increases spell costs for enemies. Casting under this effect burns mana and applies damage.
• [R] Usurper’s Curse: A maleficent curse that seizes control of an enemy’s spellcasting. Depending on conditions, it can either lock out their first spell or punish them with massive burn and random spell swaps.
• [F] Usurper’s Dominion (Passive): Adds a devastating secondary effect, reversing healing or redirecting buffs meant for her enemy.

This hero concept paints Imperia as a ranged, high-complexity controller who excels at punishing casters, flipping enemy strengths into weaknesses, and using her raven thematics to disrupt fights.

While only speculative, this imagined kit aligns with her lore as a cunning Skywrath tyrant. This suggests that if Valve ever does make her a playable hero in Dota 2, she could be a disruptive support or utility core that manipulates enemy abilities and turns battles through sheer control.

It's not Act IV but here's Imperia as a hero concept
byu/bc524 inDotA2

When Could Imperia Be Released In Dota 2?

It’s impossible to say for sure. As mentioned earlier, Valve typically ties new hero launches to major milestones, such as The International or events. For context, Muerta was released with the Dead Reckoning Update in March 2023, while Ringmaster debuted in-game with the TI 2025 Compendium.

The most recent addition was Kez, who arrived as part of Crownfall Act IV in November 2024. Considering that Crownfall has long wrapped up (February 2025), it was only natural that fans expected Imperia to follow soon after. But as of September 25, 2025, Valve has not announced her as a playable hero.

FAQs

Is Imperia confirmed as the next Dota 2 hero?

No. Valve has not officially confirmed Imperia as a playable hero, though teasers suggest she could be next.

When is Imperia’s release date speculation in Dota 2?

There’s no confirmed release date for Imperia. However, considering Valve’s usual cadence for new hero releases, a new hero may arrive shortly after The International 2025 or around Frostivus 2025.

Has Imperia appeared in Dota 2 already?

Yes, Imperia was introduced as a character in Crownfall Act IV.

Are Imperia and Vengeful Spirit the same character in Dota 2?

No. Imperia is a new Skywrath character introduced in Crownfall as a rival power figure. While her story connects to Shendelzare (Vengeful Spirit), they are not the same hero.