Valve has released an update for Dota 2 that disables players from selecting Axe. It is believed that the decision is not related to technical issues, but is instead part of a teaser campaign for the game's next major event, titled Dark Carnival.
At the moment, Axe cannot be selected or randomly assigned in any game mode except Captain's Mode. The hero is unavailable even in Demo Mode, while his standard icon has been replaced with a "Wanted" poster.
Axe's connection to the carnival-themed Dark Carnival event is not accidental and has been supported by previous data leaks. Axe was notably the victim of Ringmaster's act in the hero's reveal trailer. Based on the game's lore, Axe is expected to return alongside the event's release in the form of a mechanized version, potentially as an alternate persona or Arcana.
As previously reported, Luminosity are planning to sign the core lineup of Monte.