Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where two teams of five players each compete to destroy the other team's Ancient, a large structure located in their base. Each player controls a hero with unique abilities and attributes, and the team must work together to outmanoeuvre and outplay their opponents. The game is played on a map with three lanes, each with towers that must be destroyed to gain access to the enemy base. Understanding these basic mechanics is crucial for success in Dota 2.

How Many Dota 2 Heroes are There?

At the time of writing, there were more than 120 heroes in Dota 2 , providing an extensive and diverse roster that caters to a wide range of playstyles and strategies. Each hero comes with a unique set of abilities, attributes, and roles, which can significantly impact the outcome of a match based on team composition and coordination. The constantly evolving meta and frequent balance updates keep the game fresh and engaging, as players continually adapt and experiment with new tactics. Dota 2 is continuously updated, and new heroes are added frequently. To check the most recent hero count, you can visit the official Dota 2 website ( https://www.dota2.com/heroes/ ) or refer to the in-game hero selection screen. Each hero in Dota 2 has unique abilities and attributes, allowing for a diverse range of playstyles and strategies in matches. One of the most important decisions you'll make in Dota 2 is choosing your hero and role. Each hero has unique abilities and attributes that make them suited for different roles, such as carry, support, or offlaner. It's important to communicate with your team and choose a hero that complements their picks and fits your preferred playstyle. Don't be afraid to experiment with different heroes and roles to find what works best for you.

When did Dota 2 release ?

Dota 2 was officially released on July 9, 2013. The game was developed and published by Valve Corporation, and it is the stand-alone sequel to Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a community-created mod for Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion pack, The Frozen Throne. Dota 2 carries over the core gameplay and mechanics from the original DotA, while significantly enhancing the graphics, features, and overall experience through the use of Valve's Source engine and, later, the Source 2 engine.

Why is Dota 2 so popular ?

Dota 2's popularity can be attributed to a combination of factors that have contributed to its widespread appeal among gamers and esports enthusiasts. As the successor to Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a popular mod for Warcraft III, Dota 2 inherited a strong foundation and player base from the original mod. The game's depth and complexity, featuring more than 120 unique heroes, various items, and an intricate map, provide a multitude of possible strategies, team compositions, and playstyles that keep the game fresh and engaging. Dota 2's challenging learning curve attracts players who enjoy mastering complex games, while regular updates, balance changes, and new content maintain a dynamic and evolving experience. The game's free-to-play model makes it accessible to a wide audience, ensuring a fair playing field with monetization primarily coming from cosmetic items that do not impact gameplay. Lastly, Dota 2 boasts a vibrant esports scene, with its annual world championship event, The International, consistently offering the largest prize pool in esports history, drawing massive attention and fostering dedicated fan bases for teams and players. Together, these factors have solidified Dota 2 as one of the most popular and enduring MOBA games in the world. Like any other skill, improving your gameplay in Dota 2 requires practice and analysis. Take the time to watch replays of your matches and analyze your mistakes and successes. Look for patterns in your gameplay and identify areas where you can improve. Practice specific skills and techniques in bot matches or unranked games before trying them in competitive matches. Don't be afraid to experiment with different heroes and playstyles to find what works best for you. With dedication and effort, you can become a skilled Dota 2 player.

What is a Dota 2 Battle Pass ?

A Dota 2 Battle Pass is a purchasable in-game item offering players access to exclusive content, rewards, and activities during time-limited events that typically coincide with major Dota 2 tournaments like The International. By purchasing a Battle Pass, players unlock various features such as Immortal Treasures, which contain exclusive cosmetic items and skins for heroes, and the Compendium, a digital interactive booklet allowing players to make tournament predictions, view brackets, and access statistics. As players complete challenges, participate in special game modes, and achieve objectives, they earn Battle Points to level up their Battle Pass, unlocking more exclusive rewards at higher levels. Each Battle Pass introduces new game modes or events, providing unique and entertaining ways to enjoy Dota 2 beyond traditional matches. Battle Passes often include community-driven goals, where the combined efforts of all participating players unlock special rewards or features. Additionally, a percentage of each Battle Pass sale contributes to the associated tournament's prize pool, allowing players to directly support the competitive scene. The Dota 2 Battle Pass has become a popular way for players to engage with the game and esports community, offering exclusive content and opportunities to earn unique in-game items while supporting the growth of the professional scene.

Dota 2 Esports | Dota 2 International Tournaments

Dota 2 is a 2013 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game developed and published by Valve. It is one of the most prominent esports titles in the world, renowned for its high skill ceiling, complex gameplay, and professional tournament circuit that features the largest prize pools in esports history. The competitive scene is composed of teams of five players competing against each other in professional leagues and tournaments.

History

Origins

The competitive history of the franchise began with Defense of the Ancients (DotA), a community-created mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos that was first released in 2003. Its popularity led Valve to hire its lead designer, the pseudonymous "IceFrog," to develop a standalone sequel.

The First International

Valve officially launched Dota 2's professional esports scene with The International 2011, held at Gamescom in Cologne, Germany. The tournament served as the first public reveal of the game and featured a then-record prize pool of $1.6 million USD. This event established Dota 2 as a top-tier esport from its inception and set the precedent for the exceptionally large prize pools that would become a hallmark of its premier tournaments.

Tournament Structure

The professional Dota 2 circuit has undergone significant structural changes throughout its history. While initially centered around The International and third-party invitationals, it later adopted a more formalized league structure before returning to a more open circuit.

The International (TI)

The International is the annual world championship for Dota 2 and the culminating event of the competitive season. It is widely considered the most prestigious esports tournament in the world, largely due to its record-breaking prize pools. Since 2013, the prize pool for TI has been primarily crowdfunded through a percentage of sales from an in-game digital item, known as the Compendium or Battle Pass. This model led to a peak prize pool of over $40 million for The International 2021. Winning The International is considered the highest achievement in professional Dota 2.

The Dota Major Championships and the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) (2015-2023)

In 2015, Valve introduced the Dota Major Championships, a series of seasonally held, Valve-sponsored tournaments that, alongside The International, formed the backbone of the professional season. Notable Majors from this era include the Frankfurt, Shanghai, Manila, and Boston Majors, each with a fixed prize pool of $3 million.

This system evolved into the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) in 2017. The DPC created a more transparent qualification structure for The International. Teams competed in regional leagues across North America, South America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, China, and Southeast Asia, as well as in inter-regional Major tournaments, to earn DPC points. The top 12 teams in the DPC point standings at the end of the season received direct invitations to The International.

The Post-DPC Era (2023-Present)

In September 2023, Valve announced the discontinuation of the Dota Pro Circuit after the 2023 season. The decision was made to foster a more open and diverse competitive ecosystem. The current tournament landscape relies on a series of large-scale, third-party tournaments hosted by prominent organizers, with direct and regional qualifier spots for The International being determined through this new, more decentralized system.

Premier and Major Tournaments

The International Winners

2011: Natus Vincere ($1,000,000 prize)
2012: Invictus Gaming ($1,000,000 prize)
2013: Alliance ($1,437,190 prize)
2014: Newbee ($5,025,029 prize)
2015: Evil Geniuses ($6,634,661 prize)
2016: Wings Gaming ($9,139,002 prize)
2017: Team Liquid ($10,862,683 prize)
2018: OG ($11,234,158 prize)
2019: OG ($15,620,181 prize)
2021: Team Spirit ($18,208,300 prize)
2022: Tundra Esports ($8,518,822 prize)
2023: Team Spirit ($1,521,362 prize)
2024: Team Liquid ($1,249,455 prize)

(Note: The International 2020 was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Other Notable Tournament Series

With the end of the DPC, several third-party organizers have become central to the Dota 2 esports calendar.

ESL Pro Tour (EPT): Hosted by ESL, this circuit combines the long-standing DreamLeague online seasons and premier ESL One LAN tournaments. The EPT serves as a major qualification path for other large-scale events, including the Riyadh Masters.
PGL Tournaments: PGL has a long history of hosting Dota 2 Majors and has continued to be a key tournament organizer, running multiple high-stakes LAN events throughout the year, such as the "Wallachia" series.
BLAST: A prominent organizer in other esports titles, BLAST entered the Dota 2 scene in 2024 with its "BLAST Slam" series, featuring large prize pools and top-tier international competition.

Legendary Teams

OG: The only team to win The International in two consecutive years (2018, 2019). Their 2018 victory is considered one of the greatest underdog stories in esports. They are also four-time winners of Valve-sponsored Majors.
Team Spirit: Winners of The International in 2021 and 2023. They are known for their resilience and exceptional team fighting, rising from the CIS region to become a dominant global force.
Natus Vincere (Na'Vi): The inaugural winners of The International in 2011. The Ukrainian organization was a dominant presence in the early years of Dota 2, reaching three consecutive TI Grand Finals (2011-2013).
Alliance: The Swedish team that won The International 2013 with a highly influential split-pushing strategy. Their TI3-winning roster is one of the most iconic in the game's history.
Evil Geniuses (EG): A North American powerhouse and the winners of The International 2015. EG was a consistent top contender for many years, securing numerous high placements at Majors and TIs.
Team Secret: Founded and captained by Clement "Puppey" Ivanov, Team Secret has been a top-tier European team for nearly a decade, winning multiple Majors and consistently contending for The International.
PSG.LGD: A dominant force from the Chinese region, LGD Gaming (in partnership with Paris Saint-Germain from 2018-2023) has reached the Grand Finals of The International twice (2018, 2021) and consistently represents the pinnacle of Chinese Dota.

Legendary Players

The Dota 2 scene has been defined by numerous iconic players, known for their skill, longevity, and championship pedigrees.

Johan "N0tail" Sundstein: The highest-earning esports player of all time. Captain of OG, he is a two-time TI winner (2018, 2019) and a four-time Major winner.
Clement "Puppey" Ivanov: The only player to have competed in every single International. A TI winner with Na'Vi (2011) and the founder and captain of Team Secret, he is one of the most successful and respected leaders in Dota 2 history.
Kuro "KuroKy" Salehi Takhasomi: A TI winner with Team Liquid (2017) and a long-standing captain. He has reached the TI Grand Finals with two different teams.
Danil "Dendi" Ishutin: One of the original superstars of Dota 2. The mid-laner for the legendary Na'Vi team that won TI1 and reached the next two finals, he is one of the most recognized and beloved figures in the community.
Syed Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan: Famously won The International 2015 with Evil Geniuses as a 16-year-old. His aggressive and high-skill plays revolutionized the mid-lane role.
Amer "Miracle-" Al-Barkawi: A TI winner with Team Liquid (2017) and a two-time Major champion. He is renowned for his exceptional mechanical skill and was the first player to reach a 9,000 matchmaking rating (MMR).

Notable Rivalries

Natus Vincere vs. Alliance

Termed "El Clásico" by the community, this was the defining rivalry of early Dota 2. It peaked in the Grand Finals of The International 2013, a legendary best-of-five series that is widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in esports history.

Evil Geniuses vs. Team Secret

This rivalry was fueled by high-profile player transfers between the two organizations, most notably the move of Artour "Arteezy" Babaev and Ludwig "zai" Wåhlberg from EG to Secret in 2015. For several years, these two teams battled for supremacy at the top of the international scene, meeting frequently in the finals of major tournaments.

OG vs. PSG.LGD

A modern rivalry that was ignited during The International 2018. The two teams met in the Upper Bracket Finals and again in the Grand Finals, with OG staging a dramatic comeback to win the title 3-2. Their matches continued to be highly anticipated clashes of regional styles and top-tier talent.