One of those games that is challenging to describe is Dota 2. Dota 2 is one of the hardest games to learn how to play, especially for total beginners, even among MOBAs, a genre known for its notoriously challenging games.
Even for experienced players with prior MOBA experience, Dota 2 is not a simple game to play. Dota 2’s low popularity and general appeal are frequently attributed to its steep learning curve. At least in comparison to other mobile MOBAs and League of Legends, which is its main rival. Having said that, learning Dota 2 isn’t exactly difficult.
For instance, beginners can start with so-called “beginner heroes” that don’t use too many complex mechanics, allowing them to concentrate more on learning how to play Dota 2 and less on the little details. Of course, having someone to assist you greatly, even if it’s just with a few pointers, is also very helpful.
Be aware of the Dota 2 “delays”
These are not delays, technically. Instead, these are merely animation times that were carried over from the Warcraft 3 Defense of the Ancients mod. Every hero in Dota 2 has a slight delay before moving forward or turning around, as opposed to doing so instantly. Spells in Dota 2 with no “cast points” are extremely uncommon.
This is best illustrated by Rubick, whose ultimate skill, “Spell Steal,” gives him access to an enemy hero’s ability while also requiring no cast points. To that end, post-cast time and animations in Dota 2 are mainly just for show, and you can tell your character to move once the spell has been successfully cast. You no longer have to finish the entire animation this way. Be aware of these deliberate delays because it will take some time for you to get used to them.
Don’t flame, don’t tilt, and never give up.
With a ten-year career that saw him win two TI champions and some of the biggest Dota 2 tournaments ever, Johan “N0tail” Sundstein of OG is regarded as the most accomplished player in the game. He credits his success to his positive outlook on life (PMA). The fact that every game in Dota 2 can be won is one MOBA trend that the game tends to defy.
There is no such thing in Dota 2 as there is in other MOBAs where a team can all but guarantee absolute victory by taking the lead. There have been many instances, even in games between professional Dota 2 teams, where a team had a win probability of less than 5 percent but still prevailed.
Put securing objectives ahead of killing
In Dota 2, a match ends when the opposing team destroys one of these structures. Always keep in mind that a Dota 2 game ends when you destroy the opposing team’s Ancient, not when you eliminate the entire team. You must prioritize securing objectives in Dota 2 because of this very reason. This can take a variety of shapes. Towers and other structures are the most prevalent.
Runes, Outposts, Roshan, Ancient-style neutral camps, and much more are other, more covert goals. The Towers continue to be the one thing that stands out the most among all of these goals. You see, whenever you destroy a Tower belonging to an enemy team, they are unable to control that area of the map anymore. For instance, if an enemy player in that area of the map is ganked, their allies will need to teleport from a distant tower, which will significantly reduce the amount of time they have to react. As a result, a team will play more safely the less Towers it has.
Keep an eye on the time and the map at all times.
In Dota 2, there is never a dull moment. No matter what position you play, there will always be something for you to do. When playing as a Support, for instance, you must watch out for Neutral camps, which respawn every 60 seconds. The timer can be used to keep track of when Neutral camps need to be stacked so that your allies’ Carry heroes can farm more quickly and effectively. Speaking of playing as a support, there are Dota 2 strategies, like pulling creeps, that are most effective when done at the right moment.
The Day & Night cycle, Roshan (which respawns every 8 to 11 minutes after dying), Bounties and Catapults (which respawn every 5 minutes), and other crucial Dota 2 timings should also be noted. There are even specific times when a certain hero should be able to advance to a certain level or make a purchase. When there is so much going on in Dota 2, it is very simple to become disoriented. It also implies that there is always work to be done at any given time.
Don’t play the same Dota 2 hero over and over again.
Hoodwink is only the most recent hero to join Dota 2, and more are anticipated. The concept of “mains” is another MOBA trend that Dota 2 has defied over time. In a MOBA, the majority of players typically play one main character the majority of the time, if not always. However, mains are extremely uncommon in Dota 2. The only notable exceptions are when discussing some of the game’s most challenging heroes, like Earth Spirit, Invoker, Arc Warden, and Meepo, at which some players are particularly skilled.
Therefore, we advise you to try to learn how to play as many heroes in Dota 2 as you can. You are free to have a favorite hero or a group of heroes, of course. However, why not try your hand at playing that hero instead if you find it challenging to play against that hero? Having a large selection of playable heroes will enable you to learn more about each hero’s abilities, the reasons why one hero is weak against another, and the strategies you can use to defeat particular heroes once you come up against them.
Effectively communicate when necessary.
If you want to play Dota 2 and win more often than you lose, communication is essential. Fortunately, Dota 2’s “Ping” system makes communicating with other players simpler. With the click of a button, players can use this system to instantly inform other players of anything, such as whether an enemy has been spotted in a specific location or is missing from the map. Just watch out for overdoing it in your communication. If not, you’ll end up being more bothersome than beneficial.
Watch professional games and compete against better players
Dota 2 study is the best way to get better at it. You can do this by viewing video of players who are professionals, particularly in a professional setting. Additionally, playing against players who are more skilled than you will show you just how much of a skill difference there is between players at your level and those in higher rankings.
If you can, use Dota 2’s “Coaching” system to get someone to join your matches and point out your shortcomings while also showing you where you’re going wrong and how to correct them.
Remember to have fun while playing.
Dota 2’s competitive atmosphere can tempt you to be toxic toward your teammates by letting all of your resentment out on them. Avoid doing that. Stress and excessive competition can put undue strain on you and your teammates.
When playing Dota 2, it’s best to put your attention on having fun rather than on winning, and try to remember that, just like in life, things will get better in due course. However, a little bit of passion and optimistic thinking never hurt anyone.
Lead developer at Lost Rabbit Digital. Writer for Good2Games. Boden began freelancing for Good2Game in 2021. He got his start making games and is still interested in the inner workings of games via the modding and speedrunning communities. He is addicted to co-op crafting games, lengthy novels, and multiplayer cryptid hunts.