Dark Moon

Dark Moon is an event that ran from January 26 to February 6, 2017. Players defended Selemene's temple from waves of invaders, and earned special event points that could be traded for rewards.

Game mode

 * The game mode features a horde based PvE system, where waves of enemies sequentially spawn to destroy the player's Ancient. Each round gets progressively more difficult, with unique enemies and mechanics.

Gameplay

 * Five players are put against waves of enemies which come out from four lanes.
 * These waves get progressively harder, with bosses and unique units with special abilities.
 * Experience are gained normally but gold must be picked up on the ground, and are used to buy items and level up.
 * Experience can be gained while dead.
 * The game ends if the Ancient is destroyed, or if all five players die.

Buildings

 * Seven Towers defend the Ancient, four external ones and three internal ones.
 * All Towers respawn at the end of a round.
 * Towers that survive until the end of a round will earn the team extra gold.
 * Three Shrines are found on the map, each with a 180 second cooldown.
 * Two shops are located on the map. One in the middle, and one near the top, next to the Ancient.

Reviving

 * On death, a tombstone is left where the player died. Living teammates can right click on the tombstone to revive the player. This takes a channel time of six seconds.
 * The more players that channel on the same tombstone, the quicker it will go.
 * Buyback can be used, but it has a cooldown.
 * All players are revived with full health and mana at the end of each round.

Available heroes

 * Only a few heroes can be picked for this event.
 * Some heroes have altered abilities made specifically for this event.

Rounds

 * Each round has a 30 second break between them.
 * For the details of the units and their abilities, see here.

Drops

 * Several items are dropped upon killing enemies. All can be picked up by walking over them, except for the Town Portal Scroll, which must be right clicked.

Tips

 * Using Underlord, immediately go for a vanguard, then eventually get yourself a battle fury when you level your aura.
 * Medusa and Gyrocopter synergies as Medusa's Mystic Snake and Stone Gaze heighten Gyro's damage output
 * Dark seer has good maneuverability and damage with his ion shell. Using Ion shell on the "Party foul" (Round 5) will give lots of gold
 * Techies is a choice pick due to his huge damage and will often carry the team, however you need to be careful to not kill yourself accidentally
 * More tips needed.

Heroes

 * is very strong at dealing with early level mobs. Simply kiting enemies around its AoE will be able to deal with massive groups in the early game.
 * 's Damage reduction can be very useful, and helps you and your team soak up more damage.
 * is useful in taking out big enemies from a distance.
 * can be used to block off choke points, and help aggro enemies away from buildings.
 * holds large groups of enemies together for effective nuking.
 * Taking cooldown reduction can allow to almost permanently hold enemies in place.
 * works as a on the enemies it hits.
 * work multiple times depending on level.
 * holds large groups of enemies together for effective nuking.
 * Taking cooldown reduction can allow to almost permanently hold enemies in place.
 * works as a on the enemies it hits.
 * work multiple times depending on level.
 * work multiple times depending on level.
 * work multiple times depending on level.

Others

 * Sacrificing Towers may be acceptable, as all Towers respawn at the end of each round.
 * Regeneration and Lifesteal items are crucial in sustaining your team.
 * Since all enemies are considered creeps, regeneration items like and  will not be interrupted.
 * An early can help keep heroes alive, as many charges are gained from enemy abilities.
 * Remember to use to quickly intercept oncoming waves across the map. Buy extra scrolls if necessary.
 * and are good for clearing large waves on physical attack heroes.

Points

 * Points are acquired by playing.
 * Daily bonuses are given for the first game played each day. Every daily bonus gives players 35,000 points plus 6 times the points they earned in the game.

Rewards

 * A special Dark Moon Emoticon is awarded to players who beat all rounds of the event.
 * 35,000 points can be spent to spin the reward wheel once.
 * A random cosmetic item is rewarded from the wheel.
 * For a full list of possible rewards, see the Dark Moon drop list.
 * The Dark Moon Baby Roshan is unique to this event, and can be obtained from the wheel at a very low chance.

Recycling

 * Treasures can be recycled in the Armory for 20,000 Dark Moon points.
 * Items received from opened chests cannot be recycled.

Lore
''For millennia, the warriors of the Nightsilver Woods have stood vigilant against vile forces intent on the advent of a Dark Moon, earning both title and divine charge in sacred defense of the Goddess Selemene. But now, as the night of the new moon falls, Selemene’s chosen lie helpless behind her temple walls, victims of an arcane slumber that has left the temple grounds undefended.'' ''With Selemene’s influence at its weakest, and twisted shades of the familiar creeping across her domain, the Moon Goddess beckons five new protectors to stand in the stead of her champions against the corruption of the Dark Moon Horde. Will you be one to answer the hallowed call?''