The rarest Dota 2 skins are almost always tied to one-off events: a system error, an event that never returned, or a rare drop from a specific International treasure. The best-known example is the Ethereal Flames Pink War Dog, a courier created by a bug that reportedly sold for around $38,000 back in 2013. Next to it are the Golden, Jade and Desert Sands Baby Roshan couriers, plus golden and special versions of Immortal items: on LIS-SKINS right now, Bracers of Aeons of the Crimson Witness go for about $1,100, Golden Silent Wake for about $790 and Genuine Axe of Phractos for about $580. Below you will find where each item came from, why so few exist and what drives the price.
One of the Most Expensive Skin Offers in Dota 2
The Ethereal Flames Pink War Dog (also known in the community as the Legacy Ethereal Flames Wardog) is a courier widely considered one of the most expensive items in Dota 2 history. Its main features:
It appeared because of a system error;
The unique combination of pink color and the Ethereal Flames effect was quickly blocked by the developers, so very few of these couriers exist;
One of them reportedly sold for around $38,000 in 2013.
Today, deals involving this courier are extremely rare, and each time the price is set by a specific buyer. It is a collector's piece rather than an item with a market price.
Skins in Dota 2: Desert Sands Baby Roshan
This is another courier: a sand-colored version of Baby Roshan. Wherever it goes, a miniature sandstorm swirls around it, which makes it easy to spot on the map. The courier is tied to The International 2017 and was given to a limited number of players, so it is hard to see in a match and rarely shows up on the market. Check live listings for its current price.
What Other Couriers Exist Among Dota 2 Skins?
Golden Baby Roshan was a reward from the Diretide 2012 event and went to only a small number of players. It looks like a regular Baby Roshan in golden tones, carrying a sack in its teeth. The event never returned in that form, so no new copies appear.
Speaking of rare Dota skins, it is impossible to overlook Jade Baby Roshan. It stands out for:
Its tiny size;
Bright, shimmering animations;
A small pouch carried in its teeth;
A quickly fading dark green trail.
Jade Baby Roshan is rare because it was a rare reward in The International 2018 Battle Pass (Cavern Crawl) and did not drop for everyone. Among other Baby Roshan variants, LIS-SKINS currently lists the Platinum Baby Roshan (around $3,050), Genuine Ice Baby Roshan (around $1,400) and the Gingerbread and Honey Heist Baby Roshan (around $1,050 each), while a regular Baby Roshan costs about $15.
Skins in Dota 2: The Alpine Stalker’s Set
This is a full set of rare items for Ursa. It was originally sold cheaply and drew little demand, but once it was removed from sale, its value started climbing fast. It is not the rarest skin in Dota, but it is one of the best-known examples of how pulling an item from the store changes its price. The set contains four items, and the hat is considered the most valuable: the Lucky Alpine Stalker’s Hat, for example, currently costs about $250 on LIS-SKINS.
Skins in Dota 2: Golden Silent Wake
Drow Ranger has no rarer item. The golden version of this cape was available only as a rare drop from a 2016 treasure. The gold cape comes with a flaming shoulder piece, and the item changes how one of the hero's abilities looks. Key features:
A shimmering effect that stays on permanently;
A new icon for the second ability;
A completely new look for that ability.
A regular Silent Wake costs about $15, while the Golden Silent Wake currently sells for about $790 on LIS-SKINS. That gap of more than 50x shows exactly what rarity is worth.
Skins in Dota 2: Bracers of Aeons of the Crimson Witness
This is a special version of Faceless Void's bracers:
It appeared only in the Treasure of the Crimson Witness 2017;
It is tied to The International 2017;
It dropped at a low rate, so few copies exist.
The item is worn on Faceless Void's forearms. Besides the new look, it adds animations and visual effects in combat and changes the icon of the hero's second ability. Regular Bracers of Aeons cost about $4, while the Bracers of Aeons of the Crimson Witness currently sell for about $1,100 on LIS-SKINS.
Skins in Dota 2: Golden Ornithomancer Mantle of the Benefactor
The golden version of Rubick's cloak appeared in 2016 as a rare treasure drop, and the chance of getting it was slim.
As the name suggests, the cloak is gold, and its lower part looks like tongues of molten fire. Few copies are on the market and listings appear rarely, so check live offers at the moment you want to buy.
Skins in Dota: Axe of Phractos
No discussion of the rarest Dota 2 skins is complete without this axe. It was introduced in 2013 and could only be obtained in a special way. Notable points:
The Genuine Axe of Phractos currently costs about $580 on LIS-SKINS;
The weapon looks fairly restrained but is instantly recognizable;
Many players like the glowing blades, which change the icon of the hero's third ability.
It was once possible to get this item by buying the Axe figurine from WETA Workshop, but that option is long gone.
Skins in Dota: Shattered Greatsword
This huge sword for Sven was introduced in 2015. It has no special effects or animations, but finding it in a treasure was a very low-chance event. The item looks imposing and sets its owner apart. There are no offers on LIS-SKINS right now; items like this are listed rarely.
What Affects the Price of Skins in Dota 2
Dota 2 has a particularly active item economy, and some items end up priced very high without an obvious reason. Look closer, though, and the same factors are almost always at work.
Key factors that influence the price:
The balance of supply and demand;
The popularity of specific treasures and events;
The total number of copies in existence;
Special versions: Golden, Genuine, Unusual, Crimson and others.
The first factor is straightforward: Valve does not cap the prices sellers set, so prices form on a free market. Besides Steam, Dota 2 items are sold on marketplaces, including LIS-SKINS, and when demand spikes in one place, prices rise everywhere. A good illustration: a regular Silent Wake or Bracers of Aeons costs a few dollars, while their rare versions cost dozens to hundreds of times more.
Some factors are specific to in-game economies. If a treasure was opened rarely, only a few players end up owning its rare item. Sometimes an item is pulled from the store because of weak demand, and its price starts climbing afterward. Finally, items tied to one-off events are highly valued: they are no longer handed out, and their number only shrinks over time. The priciest items on the market are covered in our article on the most expensive skins in Dota 2, and the usual ways to get items are explained in our guide on how to get skins in Dota 2.
How to Buy a Rare Dota 2 Item
Rare items are usually bought on the Steam Market or on marketplaces such as LIS-SKINS, where sellers set the prices. Before buying, check the exact name and quality of the item (Golden, Genuine, Crimson): a regular version and a rare one can look similar but differ in price by dozens of times. You can then put the item in your Dota 2 profile showcase or gift it to a friend. To keep track of fresh releases, see our overview of new Dota 2 skins.
FAQ
What is the rarest skin in Dota 2?
The title most often goes to the Ethereal Flames Pink War Dog courier: it appeared because of a system error, very few copies exist, and one of them reportedly sold for around $38,000 in 2013.
Why are rare Dota 2 skins so expensive?
They are no longer handed out: they were tied to a one-off event, a specific year's treasure or a bug. The number of copies never grows, while collector demand stays.
How much do rare Dota 2 items cost?
The range is wide: on LIS-SKINS, the Lucky Alpine Stalker’s Hat costs about $250, Golden Silent Wake about $790, Bracers of Aeons of the Crimson Witness about $1,100 and Platinum Baby Roshan about $3,050. Prices change daily.
Where can I buy a rare Dota 2 skin?
On the Steam Market or on the LIS-SKINS marketplace. The very rarest items, such as Golden Baby Roshan or the Ethereal Flames Pink War Dog, almost never appear on the open market and change hands directly between collectors.
