What are Arcanas in Dota 2?
Arcanas in Dota 2 are special cosmetic items and sets for specific characters that completely change their visual appearance, animations, effects, and even voices.
Although anyone can obtain them, Arcanas come with a set of requirements that the player and their Steam profile must meet. Moreover, some sets are no longer available through official distribution channels, which increases their value on the secondary market.
An Arcana is a symbol of a gamer's dedication to a particular character, their skill and ability to control the hero, stable win rate, and completion of various quests. In other words, it serves as a confirmation of a player's status and reputation within the community.
An Arcana does not provide new abilities or stats, but the visual aspect remains a key element that attracts the attention of both beginners and pros alike.
What Arcanas are in the game?
There are 20 different skins and sets for characters. Here are all the Arcanas in Dota 2:
- Legion Commander – Blades of Voth Domosh
- Phantom Assassin – Manifold Paradox
- Terrorblade – Fractal Horns of Inner Abysm
- Techies – Swine of the Sunken Galley
- Crystal Maiden – Frost Avalanche
- Shadow Fiend – Demon Eater
- Juggernaut – Bladeform Legacy
- Lina – Fiery Soul of the Slayer
- Pudge – Feast of Abscession
- Monkey King – Great Sage's Reckoning
- Zeus – Tempest Helm of the Thundergod
- Wraith King – The One True King
- Drow Ranger – Dread Retribution
- Faceless Void – Claszian Apostasy
- Windranger – Compass of the Rising Gale
- Ogre Magi – Flockheart’s Gamble
- Queen of Pain – Eminence of Ristul
- Razor – Voltaic Vortex
- Spectre – Phantom Advent
- Phantom Lancer – Apex of the Veil
As of the publication of this article, only 7 Arcanas are available in Dota 2. Specifically:
- Bladeform Legacy (Juggernaut)
- Fiery Soul of the Slayer (Lina)
- Frost Avalanche (Crystal Maiden)
- Tempest Helm of the Thundergod (Zeus)
- Manifold Paradox (Phantom Assassin)
- The Magus Cypher (Rubick)
- Dread Retribution (Clinkz)
In other words, these Arcanas are available for purchase in the Steam store without any restrictions. But the true value lies in sets that are harder to obtain. For example:
- Feast of Abscession (Pudge) – exclusive Battle Pass 2018
- The One True King (Wraith King) – exclusive Battle Pass 2020
- Fractal Horns of Inner Abysm (Terrorblade) – Battle Pass 2016
- Compass of the Rising Gale (Windranger) – Battle Pass 2019
- Phantom Advent (Spectre) – exclusive Battle Pass 2021
- Eminence of Ristul (Queen of Pain) – Battle Pass 2021
- Claszian Apostasy (Faceless Void) – Battle Pass 2020
- Dread Retribution (Clinkz) – Battle Pass 2022
- Voltaic Vortex (Razor) – Battle Pass 2022
Some Arcanas are valued very highly due to several factors, such as:
- Difficulty of obtaining and limited availability
- Additional skins obtained through achievements
- Ability to "level up" the Arcana
- Popularity of the hero
- Aesthetic value of the visuals within the community
However, the main criterion remains the difficulty of obtaining, which can cause the Arcana’s price to reach several hundred dollars.
How to get Arcanas
There are five ways to obtain old and new Arcanas in Dota 2:
- Purchase in the official Steam store: The platform sells cosmetic sets for some characters. While they change periodically, it remains the most accessible way to acquire Arcanas.
- BattlePass: In addition to purchasing the pass, you need to level it up. Typically, after reaching a certain milestone (330-500), the player will be rewarded with an Arcana. Note that it cannot be obtained after the season ends, making this cosmetic item one of the most valuable.
- Steam Market: In other words, trading between players. Here you can sell or buy an Arcana from others, just like other items not tied to your account. The price will depend on the rarity of the item, so for an exclusive or rare Arcana, you may need to pay over $100.
- Off-Steam trade: A risky method, but it is still possible to find and buy a rare Arcana for a relatively small price. Only resort to this option in extreme cases to avoid losing both the Arcana and your money.
- Events: Rarely, Valve runs promotions and events where you can receive a limited edition Arcana as a reward. Sometimes the company re-releases or returns popular skins to the BattlePass, allowing them to be obtained again.
Note that the BattlePass, in some cases, not only lets you farm an Arcana but also allows you to level it up by reaching new milestones and completing tasks. However, there is a dependency between progress and the difficulty of further achievements. Therefore, you might need help from a booster like Goranked.gg for faster leveling.
Most Popular Arcanas Among Players
Arcanas in Dota 2 are cosmetics that hold significant weight in the community. Their popularity depends on several factors, such as:
- The difficulty of obtaining and the rarity of the item.
- The possibility of leveling up the Arcana.
- The hero to which the skin is applied.
- Additional perks and effects.
- Player preferences, surprisingly.
That's why not all Arcanas are equally popular within the community.
Want to know which skins are trending and, more importantly, why? Let's dive in.
10. Windranger – Compass of the Rising Gale
This Arcana is in demand due to the popularity of the hero. Windranger has great damage and mobility stats, making her a favorite among players. With the Arcana, she gets unique animations, attractive visuals, and effects for Focus Fire.
9. Wraith King – The One True King
This Arcana turns the hero into a true king, with individual animations for resurrection and ultimate ability. It's also only available in the BattlePass 2020, adding exclusivity and increasing its value on the secondary market.
8. Queen of Pain – Eminence of Ristul
The demonic look and overhaul of abilities in a stylish, impressive fashion make this Arcana desirable for many players, especially those who appreciate the high damage potential of the hero and actively play her.
7. Faceless Void – Claszian Apostasy
Chronosphere with new effects? An incredible mix of elegance, control, and damage, adorned with vibrant and striking visuals. The skin design is well-received by players, which secures this Arcana a place in the top 10.
6. Crystal Maiden – Frost Avalanche
A support hero in a snowy style, with a wolf companion? This gorgeous Arcana is coveted by everyone who plays this hero. Its design is enchanting and evokes envy, contributing to the skin's popularity.
5. Shadow Fiend – Demon Eater
Mid control with new effects for Requiem of Souls is a pleasure not easily accessible to all players. Bright visual elements, powerful dark energy, and style place this Arcana in the top five.
4. Lina – Fiery Soul of the Slayer
Powerful nukes, versatile positioning, and player love. All of this is complemented by a stylish Arcana with a fiery cloak and bright effects, adding epicness to the character.
3. Juggernaut – Bladeform Legacy
A versatile hero, beloved by both newcomers and pros. Unique animations, effects, ability visuals, and style guarantee this Arcana third place in the ranking.
2. Phantom Assassin – Manifold Paradox
Your Coup de Grace will shine in a new light with this Arcana. Additionally, it is considered the answer to the question "how to get an Arcana in Dota 2 for free?" as it was once awarded through in-game missions.
1. Pudge – Feast of Abscession
Pudge is a favorite among both beginners and pros. This Arcana adds new effects, more blood, unique voice lines, and voice acting overall. The undisputed champion of this top list!
How much does an Arcana cost?
Dota 2 Arcanas are not cheap. The price depends on the exclusivity of the skin and its availability on the market. For example:
- Arcanas from the Steam store typically range from $30 to $50.
- The prices on the Steam Marketplace also depend on the rarity of the Arcana, namely:
- Less rare Arcanas can be bought for around $50.
- More rare ones can cost anywhere from $70 to $200, or even more.
As of January 2025, the most expensive Arcanas are:
- Feast of Abscession (Pudge): $120–180 (and even higher on the marketplace).
- The One True King (Wraith King): $100–150.
- Manifold Paradox (Phantom Assassin): $50–90.
Yes, these are far from being free Arcanas, but owning them offers players reputation-based rewards.
Why are Arcanas so important for the community?
Dota 2 Arcanas are symbols of a player's dedication to a particular hero. Having a unique skin proves how invested a player is in improving their skill with that character and how much effort they've put into obtaining it.
For example, if a player independently completes all the levels of the BattlePass and is rewarded with an Arcana, it generates a lot of respect within the community.
The Future of Arcanas in Dota 2
Some players have already collected all the Arcanas in Dota 2 and are eagerly waiting for new skins. While Valve isn't rushing to release them, leaving the community in anticipation, it's possible that new Arcanas will appear.
Here's a brief forecast of the most likely releases:
- Invoker
- Anti-Mage
- Slark
- Spectre
- Rubick
All of these heroes are popular in their own right among players. Valve never misses an opportunity to further monetize its audience's preferences, so we can expect new releases, possibly through the BattlePass, to level up and earn an Arcana. If you need help, professionals from Goranked.gg can assist with quicker progression.
