After 8 Years, You Can Finally Get New Custom Effigies in Dota 2

With the release of the Dota 2 International 2024 Compendium, custom Effigies are back on the menu. Revealed alongside the Compendium on Aug. 22, all heroes now have a customizable effigy slot in their loadout.

Each hero in Dota 2 now has a default Effigy, a huge stone version of themselves, or you can craft and create your own custom one from Effigy Blocks. Custom Effigies can choose from different cosmetics, poses, and animations in the sculpting tool. These custom Effigies can also have an inscription which can be viewed when players select the building in-game.

Additionally, as a reward within the Compendium you can now receive 2024 Effigy Block. The addition marks the first time since 2016 that new Effigy making materials have been added to the game.

Just what is an Effigy anyway?

The Effigy building is a filler building in each team’s base. Located behind the tier three towers and barracks. If no model is selected, then the default Dire or Radiant model will be used. Effigies give a small amount of gold when destroyed, and are only vulnerable once the Barracks in a lane have been destroyed. 

Custom Effigies were first added to the game in 2014, and effigy crafting items, such as Effigy Blocks were a regular part of compendiums until 2016, when the last effigy pack was included in the Winter 2016 Battle Pass. Additionally, players could still obtain unique Effigies by winning their Weekend Battle Cup. 

However, Effigies were still a rare sight – Until today, when they became a must-have item and something that’s seen the Steam Marketplace jump in activity.

Effigy Block Prices Surge – Dota 2’s hottest cosmetic

With the addition of the Effigy slot, prices for existing and new Effigy crafting blocks have surged. The Effigy Block of The International 2016, for example has surged from a low of $0.03 to almost $0.45. 

More dramatically, a Golden Effigy Block of The International 2015 is currently listed at between $11 and $20, and one recently sold for $6.57. This marks the most expensive an Effigy has ever been on the marketplace since their release. Even reforging kits are surging in price.

This price hike is fueled by the fact players have rarely had the chance to use Effigies. As mentioned, the last released Effigy Block came out in 2016, and Dota 2 players are keen to try out a cosmetic that many may have never had the opportunity to obtain before.