Dota 2

With over half a million active users last year, Dota 2 is undoubtedly one of the most popular massive online battle arenas out there. More than 100 playable characters make up the Dota 2 universe.

Combine this with the equally sizable arsenal of armors and weapons and a five-versus-five gameplay and you have yourself an exhilarating game with countless possible match outcomes that never gets boring.

What is Dota 2

MOBA games like Dota 2 involve large yet bordered terrains that pit a team against another team. The end goal is to destroy what's called an "Ancient", which serves as the main base of the opposing team. This can be done by eliminating the opponent's characters, also called "heroes", and destroying buildings that defend the main base.

Getting Started

To play Dota 2, you'll need a Steam account. After registering for one, you will then have to download the game files required to play Dota 2, which at the time of writing is around 7 GB. You will also need the Steam account to make in-game purchases, so be sure to remember your account information.

Unlike other games, Dota 2's in-game store only sells cosmetic items as well as tournament passes. You won't be able to purchase items that affect your hero abilities in-game, something that has helped keep the game balanced.

Key Features

As mentioned earlier, you've got plenty of heroes to choose from, 111 to be exact. This includes the cunning Phantom Lancer, the deadly Viper, and the battle-hardened Axe. All heroes have unique skills that can either damage or evade opponents or heal and support allies. Another interesting feature is its MMR ladder.

Ranked matches allow you to progress to more challenging opponents. You'll be given an MMR number after reaching a certain profile level and playing a few ranked matches.

Final Note

Dota 2 can be fun and entertaining. While some of your matches can be toxic due to other players trolling, always try to perform your best. Being friendly and a team-player not only gives you the highest chance of winning games and consistently progressing to your MMR ladder, but can also land you some prized commends from teammates.