Benevolent Companion vs Dread Retribution
Io Arcana or Drow Ranger Arcana? Price on four markets, a year of Steam prices, rank, sales and release, side by side.
Kevin: Neither Benevolent Companion nor Dread Retribution can be bought. Two flexes, zero receipts. I can only compare the looks here.
Benevolent Companion vs Dread Retribution: which arcana should you pick?
In the popularity duel Dread Retribution wins 5 to 0: it ranks #13 in the Dota2Arcana Rank against #23 for Benevolent Companion. Io is picked in 0.4% of public matches, Drow Ranger in 1.3%. Neither can be bought on a market.
About Benevolent Companion
Benevolent Companion is the Io Arcana, released on May 18, 2017 (The International 2017 Battle Pass (Io was 2016 Arcana vote runner-up)). Turns Io into a Portal-style Weighted Companion Cube with portal-themed Relocate effects, new animations and Portal-melody kill/first-blood sounds. Originally: The International 2017 Battle Pass reward at level 245. Not obtainable: TI2017 Battle Pass exclusive, not tradable or marketable (Valve). It sits at #23 of 25 in the Dota2Arcana Rank (placed by hero popularity, since it has no market).
Benevolent Companion: prices, styles, 3D view →
About Dread Retribution
Dread Retribution is the Drow Ranger Arcana, released on Dec 14, 2021 (Aghanim's Labyrinth: The Continuum Conundrum Battle Pass (2021)). New model with custom Frost Arrows/Gust/Multishot/Marksmanship effects and a 'Revenge Target' mechanic that marks the enemy who first kills her. Originally: Aghanim's Labyrinth Battle Pass reward at level 333. Not tradable or marketable. Since 2026-10-06 obtainable again from the Trove of Terror treasure: the Ultra Rare "Sepulchral Stalker" bundle contains the Dread Retribution Arcana plus a new grave-stalking set for Drow Ranger (Valve post 2026-10-07; keengamer). Treasure items are reported as not tradable or marketable. It sits at #13 of 25 in the Dota2Arcana Rank (placed by hero popularity, since it has no market). It has 2 styles and 7 set pieces.
Dread Retribution: prices, styles, 3D view →How to get Benevolent Companion and Dread Retribution
Benevolent Companion
Not obtainable: TI2017 Battle Pass exclusive, not tradable or marketable (Valve).
Dread Retribution
Not tradable or marketable. Since 2026-10-06 obtainable again from the Trove of Terror treasure: the Ultra Rare "Sepulchral Stalker" bundle contains the Dread Retribution Arcana plus a new grave-stalking set for Drow Ranger (Valve post 2026-10-07; keengamer). Treasure items are reported as not tradable or marketable.
Prices, supply and history
Every number side by side. Prices from Oct 9, 2026; the better value in a row is marked.
| Benevolent Companion | Dread Retribution |
|---|
| Cheapest offer | not tradable | not tradable |
| Steam price | – | – |
| 7 days | – | – |
| 30 days | – | – |
| 1 year | – | – |
| Sold on Steam, 30 days | – | – |
| Listed now | – | – |
| All-time high | – | – |
| First week on Steam | – | – |
| Released | May 18, 2017 | Dec 14, 2021 |
| How it came out | The International 2017 Battle Pass reward at level 245 | Aghanim's Labyrinth Battle Pass reward at level 333 |
| Launch price | – | – |
| Styles | – | 2 |
| Set pieces | – | 7 |
Price on every market
Lowest offer per market in USD. The cheapest is highlighted; a click opens the offer.
| Market | Benevolent Companion | Dread Retribution |
|---|
| Steam Market | – | – |
| Skinport | – | – |
| DMarket | – | – |
| Lis-Skins | – | – |
More comparisons
Same attribute or a similar price.
Benevolent Companion vs Dread Retribution: questions and answers
Benevolent Companion or Dread Retribution: which is cheaper?
Neither can be bought.
Which one is more popular?
Dread Retribution ranks higher in the Dota2Arcana Rank (#13 vs #23 of 25), which sorts arcanas by copies sold on Steam in 30 days.
Which one has more styles?
Dread Retribution has more: 2 styles against none for Benevolent Companion. Styles are unlocked in game, not bought; see each arcana page for the unlock conditions.
Which one is older?
Benevolent Companion came out first, on May 18, 2017; Dread Retribution followed on Dec 14, 2021.
How does the popularity duel work?
Three rows give points to the better arcana: the Dota2Arcana Rank (4 flames, our ranking by copies sold on Steam in 30 days), the Steam sales themselves (2) and the hero's pick rate in public matches (1, OpenDota). The higher rank therefore always wins; sales and pick rate show how clear it is. Rows with missing data give no points.
Can I compare other arcanas?
Yes, every pair of the 25 arcanas has its own page. Pick two at the top of this page.
