DOTA 2 is a team-based competitive online multiplayer MOBA that has risen to become one of the most dominant eSports in the world. With a huge amount to take in and a near vertical learning curve, its popularity might be difficult to fathom until you break through the surface and see just how deep the game goes.

Genre: MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)

Developer: Valve

Platforms: PC

Good for: Anyone looking to get into a deep eSport, ideal if you have four other like-minded friends to join you

Less good for: Anyone easily put off by a steep learning curve and an oft-toxic player community.

Summary: 

The original DOTA, standing for Defence Of The Ancients, was a mod for Blizzard’s real-time-strategy game, Warcraft 3. The mod basically spawned the MOBA genre which has seen colossal growth in the last five years.

Second in terms of player-base only to League of Legends, DOTA 2 runs some of the biggest professional-level eSports tournaments in the world thanks to the support of PC-gaming powerhouse Valve with the prize pot easily surpassing $10m for the last two years. Whilst daunting to a new player, it becomes very quickly obvious that there really is something about DOTA 2. Valve has done an excellent job in polishing this title until it shines and the sheer level of intrigue behind the interlocking mechanics means it will take a massive time investment to learn, let alone master.

If you’re at all hesitant about trying this, it is worth pointing out that it is completely free. Micro-transactions are there, but are purely for cosmetic items that to the untrained eye are barely recognisable.

Posts about DOTA 2

• The DOTA Diaries: Starting out with DOTA 2

• The DOTA Diaries: Donkey Management