Crownfall: A review of the first three acts

"The Markets of Midgate", "The Deserts of Druud", "The Frosts of Icewrack" are the three initial acts of the new event Crownfall in Dota 2. Each offers an interactive map with unique locations, characters, quests, and rewards. This narrative-driven adventure emphasizes immersion in a deep story alongside progression and achievements.

Main consumables:

• Tokens – the type of tokens depends on the chosen hero. They are given for matches in Dota 2 itself: All Pick (3 for victory, 1 for defeat); Turbo (2 for victory, 0 for defeat). You can also get them in some places on the map.
• Coins – can be used to get discounts in the Crownfall store. For example, 10 coins give a discount of up to $7.99.
• Candy – currency in the Candyworks Caravan.

Act I – The Markets of Midgate:

The story event "Crownfall" begins with the struggle for the Skywrath throne. Once, Shendelzare (Vengeful Spirit) was the rightful heir, but her younger sister, Imperia, orchestrated a coup, seizing power. Now, Shendelzare allies with her loyal childhood friend Dragonus (Skywrath Mage) and the Goddess Skree’auk, aiming to overthrow the tyrannical Imperia and reclaim her crown.

To start, they must gain the support of the flightless known as the Kazurai Order, where Kez from Dota 2 plays a vital role. The Markets of Midgate serve as the initial location. To progress further, players must collect tokens, complete checkpoints, take part in activities, and form connections with the locals.

You can get three random tokens from the Threebeard Hermit or exchange unwanted tokens for useful ones from the Wizard of Dolfrath. In the Candyworks Caravan, you can get items such as unique sets, Arcana nabaors, couriers, warlocks, Dota+ subscriptions, and even items that aren't available on the Marketplace. There are also other activities present in the first act.

Act I activities:

• Fishing – mini-game. It gives a total of 11 tokens.
• Snake charmer – once a day gives a Slithering token.
• Future Temple of Scree'Auk, Divine Developer – exchanges tokens for candy and an upgrade to the Candy Caravan's replacement limit. Can be used 4 times.
• Mysterious Vendor, Clortho the Strange – exchanges 1 token for 5 tokens. There are 3 options to choose from. Opens when you buy the “Pathfinder's Pack". 
• The Pecking Post – same mechanics as the Mysterious Vendor.

In the Markets of Midgate, the trio meets Yurnero (Juggernaut), who is looking for the “Great Swordsman”, assuming it is his brother from the Isle of Masks. However, Skree'Auk reveals that the man in question is Kestrel (Kez), a flightless warrior. During the conversation, Yurnero also learns that he should go in search of his sister, who will probably be introduced as a “persona” in the game, and he's not the last of his kind after all.

Toward the end of the first act, Shen, Dragonus and Scree'Auk find out that the two leaders of the Kazurai Order, Krau and Kestrel, have left the Imperium with their warriors and gone in different directions: the elder Krau has gone to the red sands of Druud, while the younger Kestrel has gone to the glacier of  Icewrack.

• Completing the Midgate will earn you a variety of rewards including coins, candy, double rate rating tokens, two treasure chests, an exclusive Wyrdwing Exaltation set for Invoker with extra style, and a trophy for completing the act.

If you purchase the Midgate Pathfinder Pack, new quests and routes will open up. This will provide additional rewards, several styles for Wyrdwing Exaltation and a unique Immortal item for Riki – Shifty's Shortblade. Immediately after purchase, you will also have a unique creep look that will not be available once the event is over.

Act II – The Deserts of Druud:

In Act II, the principle and mechanics of passing have not changed at all, but the tokens are different: they are now divided into new categories. The map, characters and activities have also been changed.

The Kazurai, in whose footsteps Skywrathe Mage traveled, turned out to be allies of the Red Mist army. This army is led by Sorla Khan, a native of the Druud Desert. She is waging war against the demons who are subjugated to the Underlord. This is also where we are introduced to the leader of the Kazurai, Krau.

The storyline of Deserts is built around the fact that Krau, having won the battle with the demons, lost his warriors, as well as seriously injured, and now the task of the players is to save him. On the way through the act, the heroes will meet Beadie (Snapfire), who will help prepare a potion to heal the leader of the Kazurai. This is one of the tasks – you need to find the ingredients on the map. 

From the unchanged main points on the map remained the Candyworks Caravan, which has suffered improvements - now instead of two cells it has three. The “Mysterious Cave” of the Threebearded the Hermit has also remained. It didn't do without new activities either.

Act II activities:

• Scrap Merchant, Mox – the same token exchanger, but now only exchanges 4 different tokens for 1. In addition, the ability to exchange Druud Scrap has been added.
• Questing Hearts – once a day you can send 3 tokens to your friends.
• Bat Racer, Batrider – a mini-game based on Flappy Birds. For a full playthrough you get 7 tokens and a treasure trove.
• Sand Fishing – Same as regular fishing, but with slight changes in mechanics. The reward is 6 tokens.
• The Omex Daily Duels – a mini-game in which you have to bet on the participants by analyzing their characteristics. You need to bet a token – for winning you get another one of the same token.

The main free reward of the second act is a new Griffin Knight set with three styles for Dragon Knight. In addition, if you complete the optional branch with Legion Commander, where the story revolves around the Red Mist's truce with the Bronze Legion, you can get a Mythical helmet for DK.

The second significant item is the Druud Pathfindres Pack. It includes 8 capsules with event stickers and a set of music. The pack also unlocks access to two side quests:

• The Ruins of Barzum – Skywrath Mage helps Warlock rebuild Barzum, the ruined city of the oglodi (Axe kin). A treasure trove and other minor rewards can be earned for completing this quest.
• The Broken Belt – Skymag helps Centaur Warrunner repair his belt. The reward for this is a new Immortal item, Graxx's Strap belt for Bradwarden, and an Effigy Block of Omexe for the hero statue.

In the end, in gratitude for saving Krau and recognizing the Kazurai's work, Sorla Khan allocated the best fighters of her army to assist the main trio of heroes. Over all, Axe and Centaur Warrunner joined the adventure. After that, Dragonus, with his new army, was one step closer to a coup against the Imperia.

Act III – The Frosts of Icewrack:

Act III of The Frosts of Icewrack continues the tradition of the previous installments. The changes affect all the same things: tokens, map, activities and characters. The main storyline revolves around the journey of Shen, Skree'Auk and the butcher Bakeet, who met them in the Markets of Midgate. Together, they travel in search of Kestrel and his army of kazurai who have gone into hiding in the northern lands. However, the goddess has refused to accompany them to these parts.

Along the way, Vengeful Spirit and Bakeet encountered a chilling cold and almost lost hope. Fortunately, they met a native guardian, Rylai (Crystal Maiden), who led them to the village of Frozen Waste. It was there that the heroes finally found Kestrel.

Like the previous acts, the third one is full of additional activities that make the game even more exciting. For example, players can play the mini-game “Sleet Fighter” – its events unfold in a bar, where Tusk acts as a guide.

Act III activities:

• Token Trader and Scrap Merchant, Nezzo – a new token exchange formula with the option to exchange “Frozen Scrap” has been added.
• Mysterious House, Threebeard the Hermit – provides three free tokens.
• Improved “Candyworks Caravan” – now has an additional candy line in the caravan.
• Hero's Ransom, Abominable Snow Bandit – gives you a choice of three sets of tokens.
• Dragon Chess – a reworked version of Three in a Row, with five tokens as the reward.
• Library of Gorod, Trael – an updated alternative to the Temple of Skree'Auk.

Rylai couldn't let the heroes go any further, for only they could deal with the dragon that threatened her lands. This quest turned out to be one of the main quests on the map. During the quest, the heroes are joined by Winter Wyvern, who helps them defeat the final boss - the dragon Zaug.

• Deadly Dance with Dragons – arcade mode where the player controls Vengeful Spirit, fights enemies, collects reinforcements and faces the dragon. The grand prize is the Mythical Fascinations of Flight set for Void Spirit.

Players can purchase the Icewrack Pathfinder Pack, which includes 8 sticker capsules and an exclusive Bloodbird's Lament set for Spectre. In addition, two additional storylines are revealed to you:

• The Lost Ziggurat – Crystal Maiden teams up with Pangolier and Broodmother to find lost treasure. Reward: several treasure troves and an exclusive weapon for Void Spirit.
• The Call of Ugnattu – Shen, Rylai, Kez, and Bakeet help Winter Wyvern recover the stolen Orb of Slithin. Reward: unique armor for Void Spirit and the Immortal item Solitude of the Winter Squall for Winter Wyvern.

At the conclusion, Shen defeats Zaug and shares this news with the Skree'Auk Goddess. The heroes then set off to face the final battle to overthrow Imperia. This will happen in Act IV.