Medallion of Courage, The Medallion of Courage was a well-known item in Dota 2 that provided strategic advantages in early-game fights. It offered armor and mana regeneration while allowing players to manipulate their opponent’s armor through its active ability, Valor. Despite its usefulness, it was removed from the game, leaving many players to adjust their gameplay strategies. In this article, we will explore the core attributes of the Medallion of Courage, its impact on the game, and the consequences of its removal.
Medallion of Courage – Overview and Attributes
The Medallion of Courage was an early-game support item that helped enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities. It was particularly useful for heroes who relied on armor manipulation during battles.
Base Stats
- Armor Bonus: Provided +5 armor.
- Mana Regeneration: Granted 1.5 mana regeneration.
Active Ability – Valor
The Medallion of Courage featured an active ability called “Valor,” which allowed players to alter armor values strategically.
- When used on an ally: Granted 6 additional armor to the ally while reducing the user’s armor by 6.
- When used on an enemy: Reduced the enemy’s armor by 6 while also lowering the caster’s armor by 6.
- Duration: 8 seconds.
- Cooldown: 16 seconds.
- Mana Cost: None (free activation).
Itemization Strategy – How Medallion of Courage Was Used
The Medallion of Courage was a vital item for certain heroes, particularly supports and initiators whocould make the most out of its armor-shifting ability.
Benefits of the Medallion of Courage
- Offered additional armor early on, improving survivability.
- Provided much-needed mana regeneration for support heroes.
- Helped reduce the enemy’s armor, making them more vulnerable to physical attacks.
- Enhanced the tankiness of allied heroes during combat.
Ideal Heroes for Medallion of Courage
The Medallion of Courage was particularly beneficial for the following heroes:
- Support Heroes: Heroes like Omniknight and Crystal Maiden benefited from the mana regeneration.
- Initiators: Tanky heroes like Legion Commander and Tidehunter used it to weaken enemy armor.
- Roshan Contesters: Reducing Roshan’s armor using Medallion of Courage was a popular strategy.
Solar Crest – Upgrade Path
The Medallion of Courage could be upgraded into Solar Crest, which provided additional buffs and improved the armor reduction mechanic.
- Stronger Buffs: Provided enhanced armor, attack speed, and movement speed.
- Cooldown Sharing: Retained the same 16-second cooldown as Medallion of Courage.
- Further Support Functions: Helped allies tank and weakened high-armor enemies.
Removal from Dota 2 – What Happened?
The Medallion of Courage was officially removed in a recent update, making it part of Dota 2’s “removed items graveyard.” This change significantly impacted heroes and strategies that relied on its armor-shifting mechanics.
Challenges and Issues After Its Removal
With the Medallion of Courage gone, certain aspects of the game have been affected:
- Some challenges requiring Medallion of Courage or Solar Crest became impossible to complete.
- The inability to apply Solar Crest’s buff to enemies reduced its utility.
- Armor manipulation through cost-effective means was significantly reduced.
How to Adapt to the Removal of Medallion of Courage
Alternative Items to Use
Since Medallion of Courage is no longer available, players must adapt by using alternative items:
- Solar Crest: Still relevant but can only be used on allies.
- Vladmir’s Offering: Provides lifesteal and armor.
- Lotus Orb: Grants armor and a dispel ability.
New Strategies for Armor Manipulation
To compensate for the loss of Medallion of Courage, consider these strategies:
- Pick heroes with built-in armor reduction abilities, such as Slardar or Shadow Fiend.
- Use spells like Weave (Dazzle) or Corrosive Haze (Slardar) to modify armor.
- Itemize for armor-reduction items such as Desolator or Assault Cuirass.
Frequently Asked Questions – Medallion of Courage in Dota 2
Why was Medallion of Courage removed?
Valve removed the item to rebalance armor-related mechanics and streamline item choices.
Can I still build Solar Crest?
Yes, Solar Crest remains in the game but has been modified to be less effective on enemies.
What item replaced Medallion of Courage?
There is no direct replacement, but items like Lotus Orb and Vladmir’s Offering provide similar benefits.
Is Solar Crest still a good item?
Yes, Solar Crest is still valuable but is now limited to buffing allies rather than reducing enemy armor.
How did Medallion of Courage impact Roshan fights?
Players used it to reduce Roshan’s armor, allowing for faster takedowns.
Which heroes benefited most from Medallion of Courage?
Support and tanky heroes such as Legion Commander, Omniknight, and Slardar.
Did its removal impact the meta?
Yes, it forced players to find new ways to manipulate armor and sustain mana.
What is the best alternative to Medallion of Courage?
Solar Crest is the closest alternative, although its mechanics are different.
Was Medallion of Courage a popular item?
Yes, it was widely purchased due to its cost-efficiency and early-game impact.
Is there a chance Medallion of Courage will return?
It is uncertain. Valve occasionally reintroduces removed items with adjustments.
The removal of the Medallion of Courage has certainly left a gap in armor-reduction strategies. While players have adapted by relying on other items and spell-based armor reduction, its absence is still felt in early-game skirmishes. Whether Valve will reintroduce it in a future patch remains to be seen.
Source : ZQuixotix
Stay updated with reliable Dota 2 news sources. Visit dota2gamers.gg and for more insights about Dota 2.