Power Ranking of the Treasure of the Emerald Revival’s sets

With the start of the fall season comes new surprises — even from Valve. While we don’t have a new patch quite yet, the Dota 2 developers gave players a new treat: the Treasure of the Emerald Revival loot crate.

For the first time in a while, this treasure isn’t specifically attached to any Battle Pass or Compendium, meaning all Dota 2 players are more than welcome to try their luck for any of the dazzling items within.

However, just like with any treasure, there are certainly items some fans are more hopeful about getting than others. It can be for any reason: it’s a favorite hero, the themeing is cool, there are neat effects, or you just need a reason to play a hero that you’ve been slacking on.

Meanwhile, I’ve got my well-educated takes on what the best sets are in this treasure. Keep in mind, none of them are bad, but god-damn some of these are nice. Basically, these are sets everyone’s likely aiming to get.

9. Clockwerk — The Keen Commander

It’s not like this is the worst set in Dota 2. I promise it’s not. I think it’s cute. The colors and visual changes are neat, and I really adore the gritty feel.

But there’s not really much to desire, visually. It’s not a set that, when you’re in lane, you look at and go, oh, what’s that? It’s subtle to a fault.

In my honest opinion, the only real perk is the Cog effect, and do we really need more particles in this game?

8. Terrorblade — Foulfell Corruptor

Foulfell Corruptor’s theme is pretty neat, in terms of aesthetic; the ragged wings and scraps of armor. But honestly, that just makes it feel more like this was what someone in either the Workshop or Valve just really wanted Terrorblade to look like to begin with. Like, an upgrade. It doesn’t really add much to the hero, especially none that you can really notice in the heat of battle.

It’s not bad, per se. But I wouldn’t dump a dozen chests to try to get this ultra-rare item. It’s just a super-neat bonus if you happen to get it.

7. Abaddon — The Brinebred Cavalier

This is actually really cool in theory, I gotta say.

The issue is, with the hood removed, it looks like what would happen if you imported Wraith King into Heroes of the Storm and stuck him on a speed-increased mount. Not that I dislike Heroes of the Storm, but it barely looks like Abaddon, save for the colors, and that’s a problem.

Otherwise, it’s a relatively cool set. It’s suble, but not too much, like Clockwerk’s set. Mostly, the dead horse looks much more horrifying, which sticks to the hero’s theme.

6. Enigma — Exponent of the Endless Stars

For the most part, this is actually a really gorgeous set. The gold-and-indigo hues are really well-crafted, and I personally really like the detailing. Even the Servants of Endless Stars are pretty cute, and they’re themed pretty well:

But it’s super-cluttered and bulky, and doesn’t do justice to the original character’s frame. It adds a lot of visual weight to the nether-regions of Enigma’s body. If I could separate the chest and head parts from the bottom parts, it would be an incredible pickup, but as it stands, it goes a little too far.

5. Monkey King — Havoc of Dragon Palace

Frankly, the fact that Monkey King is such a well-known Chinese legends means that we should be expecting a lot more Chinese culture-themed sets. I don’t have an issue with that, except that the traditional armor starts meshing together in memory after a while.

Despite that setback, Havoc of Dragon Palace is a really solid set. Not outstanding, and nothing too terribly creative, but it accomplishes what a set is meant to: altering a character’s appearance without going too off-the walls.

Also, I might be biased towards the dragon shoulder-pieces.

4. Shadow Fiend — Fathomless Ravager

On its own, it’s a Fathomless Ravager is a pretty sick skin.

However, it’s hard to make a set that alters Shadow Fiend’s figure and tones nicely without running into the issue of looking like Doom instead. Unfortunately, Fathomless Ravager doesn’t do that too well. Basically, I wanted this to be number one, but then I demoed it and realized how much it looks like our irrelevant-in-this-meta friend Doom.

Nevertheless, it’s really good. And I may just be biased because it looks like the final version of the terrifying series of end-level bosses from rhythm-“violence” game Thumper:

Seriously, I’m digging the “giant hole in chest”-slash-Krakken-mouth aesthetic. And it looks great on Nevermore, too.

3. Naga Siren — Allure of the Deep

There’s a lot of really good stuff going on with this set. Between the sick detailing, the slick sheen and the fact that she looks like she bought the outfit in some deep-sea trench store, it’s overall pretty good-looking.

The main thing keeping this from being the top is, well ... is Naga even supposed to have hair? Doesn’t that cut into her fluid-dynamics when she swims? You’re literally paying to lose here.

Also, her whole body is a completely different color than her primary color scheme. Boo, Valve.

2. Rubick - Rambling Fatebender

On one hand, this set encompasses the definition of “extra.” The floating cards on the scepter is just so much.

But it’s also probably the most delightful set in the chest. Look, if we’re going to have a magician, we need at least one card trick set, right? And this does that theme perfectly. Plus, the gorgeous red and magenta shades really give it an extra oomph.

Basically, Rambling Fatebender is one of the best fun-themed sets in the game. It strikes that balance between visual richness and wonder that’s pretty hard to capture when you’re creating for a game as dramatic as Dota 2.

1. Necrophos — The Plaguemonger

We’re just going to get this out of the way first: The wings are a bit extra, though I dig the eyes in the back.

Otherwise, The Plaguemonger finally gives Necrophos the look he deserves: a death-bringing, disgusting game-ruining aesthetic. In a good way.

The browns work excellently with the greens of death that are a part of Necrophos, and honestly, who doesn’t want a beard like that? And that skull hat competes as a top-tier masterpiece along with the scythe, which has that perfect sheen necessary to tell you to back away from this pub-ruiner.

The takeaway? This is going to be in high demand on the Steam Marketplace—and for good reason.