History of Dota 2
Dota 2, the highly popular esports game, is a direct sequel to Defence of the Ancients (Dota), initially created as a community mod for Blizzard Entertainment's Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion pack, The Frozen Throne. Developed and published by Valve Corporation, Dota 2 has a fascinating journey that stems from these humble origins.
Gameplay
Dota 2 falls within the exciting realm of MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games. In this thrilling digital battleground, two teams, each composed of five skilled players, face off in intense competition. The ultimate objective is to demolish the opposing team's base while fiercely defending your own. Victory is achieved by the team that successfully annihilates their adversary's base.
The brilliance of Dota 2 lies in its elegantly simple yet profoundly immersive gameplay. This winning formula has propelled Dota 2 to the forefront of the MOBA genre, establishing its dominance in the world of competitive esports. Notably, Dota 2 is available for free through Valve, setting the stage for a captivating rivalry with its primary competitor, League of Legends.
Explore the dynamic world of Dota 2 esports betting and be part of the excitement!
Tournament History
Dota 2 has witnessed an astounding surge in prize money in recent years, securing its position as the undisputed leader in the realm of esports betting. To this day, it stands as the eSport game with the highest cumulative prize pool, boasting a staggering $177 million and counting.
The crown jewel of Dota 2 tournaments is undoubtedly "The International," affectionately known as "TI." This community-driven extravaganza consistently shatters records, setting new standards for esports prize money. In its most recent edition, the eighth annual event, The International boasted a jaw-dropping prize pool of $25 million, a testament to the unwavering passion of the Dota 2 community.
In the thrilling showdown of The International 2018, Team OG emerged victorious, claiming a princely sum of $11 million. They were closely followed by the formidable PSG.LGD as the deserving runners-up. These moments in Dota 2 tournament history have been nothing short of exhilarating.
As we reflect on its exciting past, it's impossible not to look forward to the promising future of Dota 2 tournaments. Be sure to stay tuned with eSportsTips to remain in the loop with live matches and upcoming events, as Dota 2's captivating journey continues to unfold.
A Basic Introduction to Dota 2
Getting Started
Dota 2, a captivating multiplayer battle arena game, sets the stage for epic clashes between two teams, each consisting of five players. Their mission: to conquer or protect two distinct bases in an action-packed showdown. Before the battle commences, players have the exciting task of choosing from a roster of 115 different "Heroes," each boasting unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses.
The Path to Power
As the game unfolds, players embark on a journey to bolster their Heroes. This is achieved by accumulating experience points, earned through a variety of feats such as eliminating enemy Heroes or making headway towards the opposing base by toppling defensive towers. These actions, driven by skill and strategy, enable Heroes to level up and become increasingly formidable.
Gold, the Currency of Victory
Gold, a precious resource in Dota 2, plays a pivotal role in the battle. Players earn gold based on their performance and contributions to the team's objectives. This currency is instrumental, as it allows you to purchase items that can dramatically enhance your Hero's capabilities. Wise spending and item selection are crucial to achieving victory on the battlefield.
The Quest for Triumph
In the heart-pounding quest for victory, the goal is to annihilate the enemy's base. The team that successfully razes their opponent's base secures the title of victors in this high-stakes battle. Prepare for a world of strategy, skill, and intense competition in the realm of Dota 2!
How to Play Dota 2
The Ultimate Objective
The core objective in Dota 2 is to obliterate the enemy's most vital structure, the ancient building, residing within your team's base. Victory is achieved by successfully bringing down this colossal edifice. Here's a glimpse into how the battle unfolds.
Choosing Your Hero
Each player must select an individual Hero to command throughout the entire match. This choice is pivotal, as once you've made your selection, there's no turning back until the next game. Your Hero is your persona on the battlefield, and your strategic prowess with them will shape the course of the game.
The Battle Map
Dota 2's battleground is divided into three distinct lanes: left, mid, and right. These lanes create the pathways from one team's base to the other. To maximize your chances of victory, you and your teammates must decide which lane will be your primary focus at the outset of the game.
Encounters Along the Lanes
As you traverse these lanes, you'll encounter formidable defence towers and non-player characters known as creeps. These creeps must be eliminated to gather experience points and gold. By vanquishing them and toppling the defence towers, you'll propel your team closer to the enemy's base.
The Clash of Heroes
In Dota 2, the true test of skill and strategy unfolds in these lanes. All Heroes commence the game in a relatively vulnerable state. This emphasizes the critical importance of collecting experience points and gold.
- Experience Points: These points enable you to level up your Hero, granting access to new abilities or the enhancement of existing ones.
- Gold: This valuable resource allows you to acquire items that boost your Hero's damage output, speed, and more. In some cases, higher-priced items can bestow additional abilities, giving you the edge in battle.
Prepare to embark on a journey where tactics, teamwork, and your Hero's evolution are the keys to mastering Dota 2. Every match offers a fresh opportunity to seize victory on the battlefield.
Mastering Gold and Experience Acquisition
In Dota 2, securing gold from creeps is an art form. To claim that precious bounty, you must land the killing blow on the creeps; otherwise, no gold will grace your coffers. You can take it a step further by actively denying your foes the opportunity to land these killing blows on your creeps. By swiftly eliminating your own creeps just before an enemy Hero strikes the fatal blow, you not only thwart their gold gains but also curtail their experience acquisition. A mere 70% of the regular experience goes to your adversaries, with the remaining 30% becoming your team's reward.
Early-Game Strategy
In the early stages of the game, focusing on securing last hits on creeps and denying your adversaries their farm is a potent strategy. This is especially crucial because Heroes are notably vulnerable during this phase. Gaining one or two levels above your opponents can tilt the scales dramatically in your favour. Your power increases at a swifter rate than that of your adversaries, a phenomenon commonly referred to as "snowballing."
The Art of Snowballing
Snowballing is the art of capitalizing on your early-game advantage as a more potent Hero and utilizing this momentum to become progressively stronger. It's a strategic manoeuvre that can lead to a cascading effect of dominance. However, this dominance also makes you a prime target for the enemy team. To hinder a snowballing Hero's relentless ascent, concerted efforts must be made to eliminate them. Dispatching a Hero on a gold-grinding spree or one on a kill streak yields more substantial rewards, offering the opposing team a glimmer of hope to level the playing field.
In the ever-evolving world of Dota 2, these intricate tactics and strategies set the stage for a thrilling battle of wits and skill, where each move can make all the difference.
Avoiding the Dreaded "Feeding"
In the world of Dota 2, ending up in a lane where the enemy Hero is on the verge of snowballing can be a dire predicament. Worse still, you might inadvertently contribute to their ascent through a practice known as "feeding," one of the gravest missteps in the game.
Recognizing the Need for Change
If you find yourself unintentionally feeding the enemy Hero by becoming a constant source of kills, it's time to reassess your approach. There are two key strategies to consider:
- Seek Assistance: Collaborate with your teammates to rally and rush your lane, ending the enemy's killing spree. Teamwork can often turn the tide.
- Play Smart: Choose not to engage in fights where victory seems uncertain. Sometimes, evading confrontation is a wiser course of action than engaging in battles you're not confident in winning.
Transitioning to the Mid-Game
After the early-game phase, Dota 2 enters the "Mid-game." This is when teams focus on pushing their lanes and dismantling as many defence towers as possible. It's also a time when players frequently attempt "ganking" enemy Heroes. This tactical manoeuvre involves leaving their lanes to surprise the enemy by approaching from behind and attacking simultaneously for swift eliminations.
Balancing Act
While ganking offers advantages like enhanced map control and lane progression, it comes with a caveat. Leaving your lane to gank elsewhere leaves your own lane vulnerable, providing the enemy with an opportunity to push closer to your base. A careful balance between aggression and defence is essential to success in the dynamic landscape of Dota 2.
The Late Game: Coordination is Key
As the lanes are pushed further and your Heroes reach higher levels, you enter the coveted "Late game" phase of Dota 2. This is where seamless communication and coordination within your team take centre stage. Successful strategies in the Late game can turn the tides of battle.
Targeting the Barracks
A savvy strategy in the Late game is to focus your efforts on infiltrating the enemy's base and annihilating their "barracks." These structures stand in front of the ancient building and are key to your success. By destroying them, you bestow added strength upon your creeps, making them more formidable on the battlefield. Additionally, your enemy gains less experience and gold when their creeps are vanquished.
This multi-pronged approach not only exerts pressure on the lanes but also hampers your enemy's gold and experience accumulation. A tactical strike against the barracks has far-reaching consequences.
Coordinated Assaults
In the Late game, coordinated team efforts are of paramount importance. Well-planned and executed attacks on enemy Heroes can be game-changers. Eliminating the entire enemy team provides a substantial window of opportunity to ransack their base and edge closer to victory. The Late game is where Dota 2 reaches its zenith of complexity and strategic depth.
How to Watch Dota 2 Esports
As previously mentioned, Dota 2 holds a prominent position in the world of esports, offering numerous ways for fans to enjoy the excitement of tournaments and games online. What's more, it boasts one of the most impressive prize pools among esports titles.
Official Twitch Channels
Valve, the mastermind behind Dota 2, hosts an official Twitch channel where Dota Two enthusiasts can catch the grand spectacle of The International each year. This is not just a major event within the Dota 2 community; it also features other popular games. The production quality and jaw-dropping prize money associated with this tournament have garnered widespread acclaim.
- Valve Dota Official Twitch Channel
The Electronic Sports League (ESL) is another key player in the esports world. They run a Twitch channel where you can tune in to watch various European tournaments and catch the intense action of Dota 2.
- The Electronic Sports League (ESL) Twitch Channel
With these official channels, you can stay connected with the thrilling world of Dota 2 esports, enjoying top-tier gameplay and championship moments. For more information, check out our Watch eSports page by clicking the link.