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Zeus
About
Associated With
Heroes Mars minimap icon Mars
Medusa minimap icon Medusa
Storm Spirit minimap icon Storm Spirit
Bristleback minimap icon Bristleback
Arc Warden minimap icon Arc Warden
Races Titans
Places Zeus' Mountain
Gods Hera
Poseidon
Hades
Vulcan
Omniscience
Characters Narcissus
Artifacts Hammers of Celestarr

When the storm clouds gather to darken the sunniest days and the clearest skies, the only illumining light in the heavens will be the lightning of Zeus, the almighty Lord of Heaven and father of gods. Divorced, banished, and depowered by his divine wife from his own pantheon to live a mortal's life after being caught laying with too many mortal women, he now fights in the war of the Ancients to prove himself worthy of his wife Hera and his long-lost divinity and immortality.

Descending from the heavens and his mountain cloister, Zeus' arrival in the greatest battlefield in all of the Seven Planes and time and space heralds a forecast of heavenly lightning bolts with a chance of arcing electricity and global smiting, shaking the already fragile world of mortals and even the heavens above with such celestial powers contained in a single mortal vessel.

Biography[]

Zeus minimap icon Zeus, the Lord of Heaven
Lord of Heaven, father of gods, Zeus treats all the Heroes as if they are his rambunctious, rebellious children. After being caught unnumbered times in the midst of trysts with countless mortal women, his divine wife finally gave him an ultimatum: 'If you love mortals so much, go and become one. If you can prove yourself faithful, then return to me as my immortal husband. Otherwise, go and die among your creatures.' Zeus found her logic (and her magic) irrefutable, and agreed to her plan. He has been on his best behavior ever since, being somewhat fonder of immortality than he is of mortals. But to prove himself worthy of his eternal spouse, he must continue to pursue victory on the field of battle.


Zeus is the king and father of the gods, who also treats all Heroes as if they were his unruly children. Despite this title, he has taken an unhealthy liking to mortal women and he has been caught cheating on his divine wife for an uncountable amount of trysts with mortal women. Growing weary of his two-timing impulses, Hera finally came up with an ultimatum: "If you love mortals so much, go and become one. If you can prove yourself faithful, then return to me as my immortal husband. Otherwise, go and die among your creatures." Zeus found her logic and her magic irrefutable, and agreed to her plan.

Most of his divine power was stripped away from him and he was ultimately rendered mortal to walk among them on the mundane world. Ever since he was demoted, he has been on his best behavior for the first time in his life—controlling his impulses and being somewhat fonder of his old immortality than he is of mortals. But to truly prove himself worthy of his wife Hera and ascend back into the heavens, he must continue to pursue victory on the field of battle.

The Sundered Moon[]

Zeus was one of the many Heroes gathered in the Sundered Moon bar. He was on the bar's counter flirting with Medusa by telling her the tale (for the fifth time) where he entertained a den of the most enchanting creatures, which led to his divorce and depowerment.

Tired of talking about himself over and over again, Zeus encouraged Medusa to open up to him about any questions that she might have in mind for him and compliments her scarlet eyes, while rubbing the snakes on her hair. She accepts the compliment and asks if he has any children, to which Zeus replies with curiosity and pain from one of her snakes biting his finger. Medusa retracts the question, which assures Zeus that she has heard of the entire story. He also fakes being childless despite his potency and his many scandalous affairs.

With that being said, Zeus concludes their date with an invitation to his mountain cloister. But before his unenthusiastic lady could even reply, he gets interrupted by someone else calling him a talkative half-god from the back of the bar. Zeus confronts the mysterious figure, who is revealed to be the Arc Warden wearing a large cloak. Zet taunts the half-god with its superior origins, claiming that the Self came before the gods themselves. "Also before pronouns, by the sound of it." retorted Zeus, he interpreted Zet's words as an invitation to fight. The Self declares the half-god correct, stating that its purpose is to destroy the Ancients.

Zeus has had enough of this meaningless ebb and flow of talk. He points out Zet's ignorance to the bards' tales, saying that anyone it picks a fight with in this bar will be ready to tear down an Ancient tomorrow. Undaunted by his boldness, Zet corrects the half-god, saying that the Self will not destroy one Ancient, but both of them. Zet conjures a lore projection detailing the story of the Self and the Others.

In the world before the present world, there was only the Self, and there were the Others. The Others, Radinthul and Diruulth, were at strife with their dissonance to each other. They grew too powerful, compelling Zet to end the war, imprisoning them both in its lunar prison. But the Ancients have escaped, and with their power ever increasing, they have been accumulating an army of lesser creatures to battle their conflict for them. Should either Ancient win, their terrible power will end Zet's world and the current world. The Self gave him a scroll and told him to fulfill whatever mystery was inside it.

The story left Zeus with nothing but doubts on his story and an impression that Zet was loquacious. But Zeus mused on the story, and asked Zet if he had any stake in the fight against the "Dirthole" and "Radish" entities. Zet reassured him that if both of his "Ancients" are destroyed, the Self will make him whole again. Zeus still was not convinced plus it did not help that Zet still lived up to Zeus' impressions of Zet, so he told Zet to let him have a taste of this "wholeness" that he was talking about. Zet agrees, and the Self returns to him a very small fragment of his true power—a golden helm forged by the Hammers of Celestarr and imbued with the energies of the Ancients themselves.

As Zeus relished on a morsel of his long-lost power, he truthfully told Zet that he doesn't actually believe in his nonsensical story. But if it does have the prospects of regaining his old power back, then he'd gladly count himself in. He then tries to flirt with Zet by offering him an ambrosia while he tells him the story about his divorce. Zet rejects his advances, telling him that the Self has much work to do tonight, revealing six other scrolls like the one he gave to Zeus.[1]

Artifact[]

Hardly concerned with any mortal affairs (including the 3-way battle between the Bronze Legion, the Vhoul, and the Red Mist), Zeus found his own battle to fight when he heard of the Storm Spirit's mastery over storms. Not wanting to share the title and authority over his element, he travels to Roseleaf (on foot) to deal with him and show the world that Zeus is the one and only god of lightning.[2]

Every time he and Storm Spirit have to meet, they always end up dealing with each others' posturing before having a serious conversation.[3] Zeus also had a competition of power against Storm Spirit, with Zeus earning the first point by destroying a building. In response to Zeus' feat, Storm Spirit destroyed an entire army to settle the matter. Frustrated, the mortal god had a temper tantrum and reduced an entire city to a crater.[4]

Personality and Mannerisms[]

  • Even in his mortal form, Zeus still retains his godly personality and mannerisms.
  • Much like his real-life counterpart, Zeus is a very lecherous man with a preference for mortal women. His attraction to mortals is his most basest impulse[5] which he struggles to control in accordance to his oath to Hera.[6]
    • With regards to his impulse, he has a very poor control over it,[7] causing him to make bad decisions[8] and have tantrums.[4]

Relationships[]

Family[]

Zeus' divine family remains mostly the same in the lore of Dota 2. His father is an unnamed Titan whom he overthrew alongside the other titans during his rise to power as the king of the gods.[9][10] Before his father died, he may have warned him to slay his own son, for he too will repeat the cycle of patricide and overthrow him and his kin in time.[11] Long after his father's death, Zeus has been looking for him.[12]

He has been very unfaithful to his wife Hera after cheating on her with his many trysts with mortal women. Because of this, she may gloat on her husband when he finds himself in an unfortunate event.[13] Over time, he has been slowly regaining his wife's trust and relationship.[14][15]

Mars minimap icon Mars and Zeus have a very complicated relationship.

  • Having disowned his divine family[16] (and the name his father gave him[17]) Mars' goal is to destroy his father and his godly kin who judged him as despicable in a deadly cycles of patricide so that he can finally punish them for reviling him, their selfishness, and their poor authority as gods.[18][19]
  • Mars doesn't want to reconcile with his father[20][21] and he hates the stuff that he represents.[22]
  • Mars feels ashamed to know that he didn't get to outlive his father[23] and gets angry if he is slain by his father.[24]
  • On the other hand, Zeus has a variety of feelings towards him, from reciprocated hostility,[25][26] to fatherly affection.[27][28] Zeus may feel a bit proud of Mars,[29][30] warn him of the inevitable cycle of patricide[31] or forgive him for simply following the cycle of patricide[32][33][34] if he dies by his hand. Sometimes, Zeus will feel sad[35] and mourn his son if he kills him.[36]
  • We hear from Zeus that Mars inherited his traits from his mother.[28][37] Because of this, he may blame his wife for the whole ordeal.[38]


Poseidon[39] and Hades[40] are his only brothers.

The forge god Vulcan might be his son if the real-life family tree of the Greek pantheon is to be used.[41][42]

Acquaintances[]

The Omniscience knows Zeus and has something to say to him,[43] and Zeus tells the All-knowing One's agent to send his regards to it.[44]

When meeting Luna minimap icon Luna, he is curious about her faith to Selemene.[45] He also wishes to meet her personally.[46]

Zeus knows Narcissus.

Allies[]

Bristleback minimap icon Bristleback is one of Zeus' favorite drinking partners.[47]

Zeus seems to be fond of Snapfire minimap icon Snapfire's brand of wisdom[48] and he likes the taste of her baked cookies.[49] When pitted against her, he tries not to fight with Beatrix[50] and gets sad if he kills her.[51]

Arc Warden minimap icon Arc Warden has enlisted Zeus in its army against both Ancients. He even tried flirting with the Self with his divorce story and some ambrosia, but Zet kindly rejected his advances, because it was busy for the night.[1]

Interests[]

While he was at the Sundered Moon, Zeus flirted with Medusa minimap icon Medusa.[1] Even when she isn't around, he sometimes wishes that she saw his feats and accomplishments.[52]

Zeus tried to flirt with Hoodwink minimap icon Hoodwink by turning into a variety of animals, but she didn't care and rejected him anyway.

Rivalry[]

His main rival is the Storm Spirit minimap icon Storm Spirit, because Zeus didn't want to share the title and authority of a thunder deity. On the other hand, the rebellious Raijin refused to bow to any sort of divinity nor did he wish to acknowledge him as the "God of Thunder" for he embodied every element of the tempest itself–and Raijin doesn't share what he believes is rightfully his.[53]

It's interesting to note that, during the times they fought, both of them have some aspect of mortality. Raijin is a Celestial trapped in the body of a mortal, while Zeus is a deity turned mortal.

Monkey King minimap icon Monkey King once waged a war against the gods of Heaven in their domain. Even after his redemption, he still dislikes the gods[54] and he joined the war of the Ancients so that he can gain dominion over the elder gods that hold him in check.[55]

Powers and Abilities[]

Divinity[]

Just like his real-life counterpart, Zeus' power over the lightning bolt did not come to him naturally nor was it an intrinsic quality that he was born with. In the lore of Dota 2, Zeus and an unnamed race of beings worked together to help him capture the thunderbolt.[56] As a god, he might have shared several other abilities with other gods just like him, such as the power to forge order from chaos,[57] the ability to twist the forms of others,[58] true sight,[59][60] etc. Zeus claims that the gods can drive people insane if they attract their attention.[61] It's implied that Zeus represents magic as well.[62][63]

Half of Zeus' powers, which included his divinity and immortality, were taken away from him by his wife Hera in accordance to his oath to be more faithful towards her. According to Zeus, he only gave away the ones that he didn't use.[64] Besides his signature lightning powers, he retained the ability to turn into a swan, which he usually uses to seduce any mortal women that he sees fit for his erotic escapades.

He would gain back a fragment of his old powers when Arc Warden restored them for him. The power came in the form of a golden helm that was forged by the Hammers of Celestarr and charged with the energies of the Ancients themselves. It's unknown what kind of abilities did Zeus recover, but he did regain his cloud chariot that grants him flight and his skin became stony which coursed with lightning.[65] Although he was still diminished of his full power, he realized that he was not cut off from their source. If he could really resolve to be better, he might be able to draw the tendrils of divinity—infused into the endowments of Celestarr—back to his own hands once again.[6]

Immortality[]

Long before his fall from the heavens to the mortal realm, Zeus was an immortal god. Much like his boy Mars, he was ageless[66] and immune to the Death Prophet's abilities over the deathly veil,[67] likely because the gods possess a much more powerful version of immortality beyond resurrection[68][69] and they may transcend the Underscape itself.[70][71] It is also implied that gods like Zeus and Mars possibly existed before the spirit to some extent, which might support the previous statements.[72]

Powers[]

The following powers are all based on Zeus' affinity to the sky and lightning element.

Arc Lightning icon Arc Lightning is Zeus' favorite magical spell to use against puny mortals, likely because of the way it dispatches them so quickly with its leaping lightning.

The Lightning Bolt icon Lightning Bolt is his signature weapon and the symbol of his power. First captured by himself with the help of an unnamed race in a daring task to capture the thunderbolt,[56] he now wields it to smite any faithless rebels against him. When he isn't holding it, his thunderbolt wanders the skies and clouds, always ready to answer his call.[73]

His mere presence can create a Static Field icon Static Field that permeates the surrounding air, shocking anyone unfortunate enough to be near him.

Gameplay-wise, Nimbus icon Nimbus simply summons a ward-like object that shoots lightning bolts. But in its lore, it describes how easily storm clouds can gather when Zeus simply gets angry.

The full brunt of his power, Thundergod's Wrath icon Thundergod's Wrath allows Zeus to smite anyone who opposes him with lightning, regardless of their distance.

Friendships and rivalries[]

Allies meeting Zeus

  • ▶️ Dark Willow minimap icon r Don't you go getting morals on me, Zeus.
  • ▶️ Dark Willow minimap icon r Trust me, you're better off without the wife.
  • ▶️ Dawnbreaker minimap icon r I can relate to your story, half-god. I was once mighty, too.
  • ▶️ Disruptor minimap icon r Zeus, the great weatherman himself.
  • ▶️ Disruptor minimap icon r Zeus, you bring the lightning, I'll bring the thunder.
  • ▶️ Grimstroke minimap icon r Were your transgressions worth so steep a price, Zeus?
  • ▶️ Grimstroke minimap icon r Love leads only to suffering, Zeus.
  • ▶️ Hoodwink minimap icon r I don't care what you can turn into. The answer's always gonna be no.
  • ▶️ ▶️ Legion Commander minimap icon r Nice mustache.
  • ▶️ Luna minimap icon r Ah, Zeus! The heavens are with us.
  • ▶️ Mars minimap icon r Keep that thunder to yourself. I don't wanna hear it, Zeus.
  • ▶️ Mars minimap icon r No, this isn't a chance to re-forge a broken bond. I'm not interested.
  • ▶️ Mars minimap icon r Just shut up already! I know what I'm doing.
  • ▶️ Mars minimap icon r It's been too long since you overthrew the titans, Zeus. Perhaps it's time for a new godly order.
  • ▶️ Mars minimap icon r I don't answer to that name anymore, you old fool.
  • ▶️ Mars minimap icon r Get out of my sight!
  • ▶️ Medusa minimap icon r You're here too, Zeus?
  • ▶️ Medusa minimap icon r Zeus on the loose!
  • ▶️ Medusa minimap icon r Zeus! You're here already.
  • ▶️ Medusa minimap icon r I should have known you'd be here, Zeus.
  • ▶️ ▶️ Monkey King minimap icon r It's no secret I don't like you, Zeus. Well, it isn't a secret now. That didn't go as planned.
  • ▶️ ▶️ Monkey King minimap icon r It's okay, Zeus. You're one of the good ones. Today.
  • ▶️ Pangolier minimap icon r I've heard of your exploits, Zeus. Together we can do better.
  • ▶️ Pangolier minimap icon r Look, I understand all but one thing: Why a swan?
  • ▶️ Snapfire minimap icon r Are your godly standards really low, or are we moving up in the world?
  • ▶️ Snapfire minimap icon r I saw your boy. He looks a lot better.
  • ▶️ Void Spirit minimap icon r Zeus, I must say your attraction to mortals is...puzzling.

Enemies killing Zeus

Enemies dying to Zeus

Others

Trivia[]

  • Zeus lives alone atop a very high mountain.[74]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Sundered Moon webcomic.
  2. Artifact Card: Zeus
  3. Artifact Card: Rolling Storm
  4. 4.0 4.1 Artifact Card: Thunderstorm
  5. Mars biography: So much like his father, Mars indulged his basest impulses...
  6. 6.0 6.1 Tempest Revelation description.
  7. Artifact Card: Bolt of Damocles
  8. Void Spirit response: ▶️ r It would have been unlike you to start making good choices now.
  9. Mars response: ▶️ r It's been too long since you overthrew the titans, Zeus. Perhaps it's time for a new godly order.
  10. Mars response: ▶️ As my father struck down the titans, I too shall strike down the vestiges of his archaic pantheon!
  11. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r My father was right, I should have done this years ago.
  12. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Have you seen my father around?
  13. Artifact - Zeus response: I won't let Hera have the satisfaction.
  14. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Your mother's almost forgiven me, why can't you?
  15. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Look, that business with your mother, I'm working it out.
  16. Mars response: ▶️ I'm not my father's son.
  17. Mars response: ▶️ r I don't answer to that name anymore, you old fool.
  18. Mars' "AOM" monologue
  19. Mars response: ▶️ r If my father showed any true leadership, your family's woes would never have come to pass.
  20. Mars response: ▶️ r No, this isn't a chance to re-forge a broken bond. I'm not interested.
  21. Mars response: ▶️ r I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries. It's time for you to die!
  22. Mars response: ▶️ r I hate lightning!
  23. Mars response: ▶️ Just...don't...tell my father...
  24. Mars' death responses towards Zeus.
  25. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Well, that's one mistake corrected.
  26. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Will somebody please kill my son?
  27. Zeus' allied responses towards Mars.
  28. 28.0 28.1 Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ u Oh, the boy holds a grudge, it's true, but he's his mother's child. But we share bonds deeper than any petty emotion, and loyalty truer than the wims of a century. He'll come around, hm hm hm hm hm.
  29. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r In a way, I'm.. kind of proud.
  30. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r They grow up so fast.
  31. Zeus reponse: ▶️ ▶️ r One day, it will be you!
  32. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r I can't blame you, I did the same.
  33. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r I suppose it's fitting...
  34. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Heh, Mars it is.
  35. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r This hurts me more than it hurts you.
  36. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Gather the family, funeral bells toll.
  37. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r You always were your mother's son.
  38. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r This is all your mother's fault.
  39. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ I'll be having a few words with Poseidon about your behavior.
  40. Mars response: ▶️ Say hello to my uncle!
  41. Mars response: ▶️ r Thank Vulcan!
  42. Mars response: ▶️ r Thank Vulcan for once!
  43. Omniknight response: ▶️ The Omniscience would like a word with you, Zeus.
  44. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ Give the Omniscience my regards.
  45. Artifact - Zeus response: So you pray to the moon goddess but not to me? Interesting.
  46. Artifact - Zeus response: I look forward to meeting this "Selemene".
  47. Artifact - Zeus response: You were fun to drink with Bristleback, I'm sad it came to this.
  48. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r All my life has been missing your brand of wisdom, my dear.
  49. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r I've never tasted such divine confections!
  50. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r Be on your way, madam. If you stay, we'll have trouble.
  51. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ r This pleases me not.
  52. Artifact - Zeus response: I wish Medusa could have seen this.
  53. Artifact Card: Storm Spirit
  54. Monkey King's biography.
  55. A New Journey comic description.
  56. 56.0 56.1 Progenitor's Bane description.
  57. Mars response: ▶️ r Gods forge order from the chaos!
  58. Mars response: ▶️ r A mortal has no business transmogrifying anything!
  59. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ Clinkz, you cannot hide from the eye in the sky.
  60. Mars response: ▶️ r I don't know if you know this, but I can still kind of see you...
  61. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ Those who attract the attention of the gods, are made insane.
  62. Zeus response: ▶️ ▶️ I have no quarrel with you, Anti-Mage, other than you hating everything I represent.
  63. Anti-Mage response: ▶️ Thy sorcery fails thee.
  64. The Sundered Moon webcomic: page 2, slide 2
  65. Tempest Helm of the Thundergod description.
  66. Mars' "Age of Mars" monologue
  67. Mars response: ▶️ r Your powers hold no sway over the gods, crone!
  68. Mars response: ▶️ r You had to work so hard for cut-rate immortality...
  69. Mars response: ▶️ Aegis of the Immortal r Wait, why do I need this?
  70. Mars response: ▶️ r The help shouldn't lift a hand against their betters.
  71. Mars response: ▶️ r Did you take me for mortal, whipping boy?
  72. Mars response: ▶️ r Do gods even have souls, demon? I thought we were kind of....pre-soul.
  73. Righteous Thunderbolt description.
  74. The One True King response: ▶️ r You should have stayed on your mountain, Zeus. My forces won't get there for ages.
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