There are several reasons for changing the landscape in Dota 2. Some players get bored with the standard look of the map and want variety, some choose a design based on the season or mood, and others consider practical reasons. Although cosmetic items do not directly affect gameplay, they can sometimes offer a slight advantage.
For example, if a player constantly selects the same heroes, it makes sense to choose a landscape or weather effect where they contrast more clearly. Although developers design heroes to be distinguishable, in intense gameplay moments even a slight difference can be significant.
There are currently eleven landscape skins available in Dota 2. They fall into several categories and differ in availability. First, four seasonal map skins are available to players with a Dota Plus subscription. The active skin depends on the current season.
Some landscapes in Dota 2 are no longer available for purchase. They were sold in the in-game store for a limited time, usually during major tournaments.
- The first was Desert Landscape, released in 2015. Many map details were reworked to fit the new theme — new plants, fauna, and terrain features. This skin was originally given to players who bought The International 2015 compendium.
- In 2016, Immortal Gardens appeared in Dota 2, transforming the map into an ancient garden. The color palette remained similar, but the trees gained distinct geometric shapes.
- In 2017, the Reef’s Edge landscape skin was introduced, inspired by underwater themes. The look of the map was drastically altered, replacing plants with corals, shells, and underwater statues.
- The 2018 skin was The Emerald Abyss. Its main visual theme was minerals and glowing stones, with creatures resembling animated mushrooms added as fauna.
- In 2019, Overgrown Empire was added, themed around overgrown jungles. The map includes unique music, sound changes depending on the time of day, and lush vegetation.
- In 2020, Sanctums of the Divine became available for holders of The International 10 battle pass.
As you can see, most landscape skins are only available for a limited time and do not return to the store. However, one is still available — The King’s New Journey. This skin gives the entire map a Japanese aesthetic, with redesigned trees, new flora, and themed fauna. It’s a great choice, especially for those who play Monkey King — the hero for whom this map was designed. You can add this skin to your inventory at the LIS-SKINS store at a great price.
