What is Dota 2 & Why is the Game So Popular?
Dota 2 is a game that needs little to no introduction at this point. Known as one of the most complex games and biggest esports in the world, it’s safe to say it’s among the most popular titles out there. But what is Dota 2 exactly, how did the game come to be and what is it all about? These are the questions that many people who are now leading the MOBA are asking, and it’s time to reveal all of it.
What is Dota 2 & What’s The Game About
Dota 2 is a free-to-play MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) developed by Valve. That’s the same company behind many other iconic titles like Counter-Strike, for example. Since it’s an MOBA, Dota 2 features the classic 5 vs 5 format, where players are split into Radiant and Dire. Dota 2 has a single map with three distinctive lanes and the objective is to destroy the opponent’s Ancient. But how exactly do you play? Well, Dota 2 currently has 127 playable heroes, and each one comes with unique abilities. All of the heroes are free to play, and they are divided into two big groups:
- Core (carry, mid-lane, offlane)
- Support (soft & hard)
We can also further divide the heroes into four groups based on their main attributes:
- Strength
- Agility
- Intelligence
- Universal
Every single hero is different and has a specific Dota 2 role in the game, depending on whether they’re a core or support. Regardless of the position, the goal is to gain experience and farm gold, as this allows the heroes to become stronger and progress in the game. We’ll talk more about that in the next paragraph.
Dota 2 Gameplay Explained – Positions, Economy & Objectives
Now that you know what Dota 2 is, it’s time to dive a little bit deeper into the important metrics. Whether you plan to bet on Dota 2, play the game for fun or watch the best in the world, you need to know how it all works.
Dota 2 Positions
We already mentioned that there are two big groups of heroes – Cores and Support. The Core heroes are divided into three distinct positions:
- Safelane (carry) – Position 1
- Mid-Lane – Position 2
- Offlane – Position 3
Supports, on the other hand, are as follows:
- Soft support – Position 4
- Hard support – Position 5
Unlike League of Legends, Dota 2 is not as strict about heroes and their specific roles. What this means is that it is common to see some support heroes taking core roles and vice versa. It all depends on the specific Dota 2 meta and what works in the current patch. Generally speaking, hard supports have to make sure that the safelane carry can farm (kill creeps and get gold) across all Dota 2 ranks. Hard supports usually have to assist the offlane and also gank around the map. The mid-lane is where you usually find the 1v1 matchup, and the offlane (top when Radiant and bot when Dire) is where one or two heroes face the opponent’s safelane duo (position 5 + position 1).
Dota 2 Economy & Items
The Dota 2 economy is complex because it involves many factors. To make a long story short, you have to kill creeps/heroes and destroy buildings to secure gold. You can do that by killing the enemy’s creeps and heroes. Once you have enough gold, you can use it to purchase the items that your hero needs. Speaking of items, they can be divided into different groups like starting, mid-game and late game. Each hero usually works best with specific types of items, but there are many exceptions. You have standard item builds, but players need to adapt when meeting certain opponents.
Objectives in Dota 2
The big objective in Dota 2 is to destroy the enemy’s Ancient. Before doing that, however, you will have to go through towers, barracks, and other types of buildings. Alongside that, Dota 2 also features Roshan, the “strongest neutral creep”. When killed, he drops an Aegis of the Immortal and this item allows the hero who holds it to respawn a few seconds after dying. This is just one of the many Dota 2 terms you need to know before you start playing. Outside of that, Dota 2 also has Torementors that drop an Aghanim’s Shard when you destroy them.
Dota 2 History
Dota 2 is the success of the Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a custom game in WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne. It was first released on July 9, 2013, and it quickly became very successful among both casual and professional players. The game introduced regular updates, new heroes, new items and loads of different tournaments. This has helped it remain among the most-played PC games worldwide for over a decade. In fact, Steam stats show that Dota 2 reached around 1.29 million concurrent players in March 2016. Even though the numbers are lower today, Dota 2 is definitely not dying and remains popular.
Dota 2 Esports
One of the reasons why Dota 2 remains among the leading MOBA titles after so many years is its esports scene. No one can deny that it is one of the biggest esports in the world because some Dota 2 tournaments are on another level. The International, for example, is an annual competition that used to have the highest reward in esports. The International 10 reached a prize pool of over $40,018,195, the largest ever for a single esports competition. Considering that, it’s no surprise that professional Dota 2 players are among the highest-paid athletes in esports. Outside of The International, Dota 2 offers loads of other Tier 1, 2 and 3 events. Some are sponsored by Valve, whereas others are hosted by third-party event organizers.
Conclusion – What Makes Dota 2 So Popular?
Everyone asking “What is Dota 2” finally knows what to expect. The game is as popular as it is because it’s free-to-play, offers incredible depth, and is among the largest esports. When you also add the game’s history, fan loyalty and frequent updates, it’s easy to see why it will always be a fan-favorite.
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