Dota 2 Dark Carnival Acts 1 and 2 surpass Crownfall’s longest gap between acts

The gap between Acts 1 and 2 of the Dark Carnival event in Dota 2 has exceeded Crownfall’s longest wait between acts, with players still waiting for Valve to release the next chapter of the ongoing story.

The first part of Dark Carnival, titled Midnight Run, launched on June 25, 2026. As of October 27, 124 days have passed since its release, exceeding the 121-day gap between Crownfall Acts 3 and 4 in 2024.

Reddit user LightningInTheRain highlighted the growing wait in a discussion on the Dota 2 subreddit on October 22. The post pointed out that Dark Carnival was approaching Crownfall‘s previous record, prompting players to guess the time when Valve would release the next part of the event.

Dota 2 players speculate about Dark Carnival continuation of Act 1

The Reddit discussion attracted hundreds of upvotes, with players sharing their theories (and frustrations) about the delay and what Valve might have planned for the next update.

Some players believe the extended wait could lead to a major content release. One comment suggested that Valve could combine Dark Carnival Act 2 with a gameplay patch and a new hero, although the developer has not confirmed any of these plans.

Others expressed frustration over the lack of new content, with some arguing that Dota 2 needs a gameplay update and better measures against smurfing and boosting more urgently than another event chapter.

At the moment, Dota 2 is still featuring the contents of the Trove of Terror collection as its main banner, where players can purchase keys for a chance to claim the new Tidehunter and Drow Ranger Arcanas. There’s also a recent bug involving Meepo, which prompted the developers to temporarily remove it from the game to fix the issue.

The cliffhanger at the end of Dark Carnival Act 1

In the final scenes of Dark Carnival Act 1, Cogliacci Kettle betrays his own brother, Cogliostro Kettle, better known as the Ringmaster. Following a disagreement between the two, Cogliacci kills Cogliostro so he can abandon the show business and fulfill his ambition of making a pact with the Dark Old Ones, evil beings that were once banished from Earth.

Tresdin and her allies, who had escaped imprisonment and made their way to the engine room of the Ringmaster’s train, arrive just as Cogliacci removes his brother’s head. He then reveals that he has already used the Necronomicon to make a pact with the Dark Old Ones, intending to conquer the world and enslave every living creature.

In exchange for his loyalty, Cogliacci expects to become the Dark Old Ones’ high priest. He then welcomes Tresdin and Hoodwink to a massive arena where the train is headed. 

According to Cogliacci, the captured heroes will be forced to fight hordes of demons and mechanical creatures resembling heroes such as Sven, Pudge, and Pugna. This is where Act 1 abruptly ends, leaving players wondering what awaits Tresdin and the other captured heroes in the arena and how they will stop Cogliacci and the Dark Old Ones from taking over the world.

Also read: What to do with leftover train tickets from Dota 2 Dark Carnival event

How long did Crownfall take between acts?

Crownfall, which launched in April 2024, featured four acts released over several months. As mentioned, the longest gap between its chapters occurred between Acts 3 and 4.

Act 3 launched on July 9, 2024, while Act 4 arrived on November 7, 2024. The 121-day interval became a point of comparison for players waiting for the next Dark Carnival chapter.

Dark Carnival launched on June 25, 2026, with Midnight Run introducing a story campaign featuring Legion Commander and Hoodwink aboard Ringmaster’s prison train. 

The update also added five Automaton Personas for Axe, Bristleback, Legion Commander, Morphling, and Oracle, alongside new cosmetic sets and event rewards. For now, players will have to wait for an official announcement before knowing when Dark Carnival Act 2 will arrive or when the end date for Act 1 will be announced.