teams playing dota 2
24Mar
Dota 2 teams who’ll be competing in 2022

Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that millions of people from different parts of the world adore. Since it was released in 2013, it has established itself as one of the most successful video games up to date. Valve, the company that developed Dota 2, continuously holds several events and updates the game to maintain Dota 2’s value and popularity. 

Dota 2 was hailed for its engaging gameplay, production quality, and adherence to its predecessor. Many deem it one of the greatest video games of all time despite its steep learning curve and overall complexity. 

Several merchandises and media adaptations for the game, such as comic novels and anime series, were released due to its popularity. This became a success and only added more to the game’s popularity. 

Aside from Dota 2’s marketing appeal, players can post their custom game modes, maps, and skins on Steam Workshop. Valve also released Artifact and Dota Underlords, two spin-off games. OpenAI Five, a squad of bots that employed Dota 2 in machine learning experiments, defeated professional players in Dota 2.

Dota 2 esports

Teams from across the world compete in professional leagues and tournaments for Dota 2. The Dota Pro Circuit, managed by Valve, is a series of events that award points for qualifying players to the game’s main annual tournament, The International (TI). A crowdfunded prize money structure has resulted in Dota 2 becoming the most profitable esports game globally. 

Similar to traditional sporting events, media coverage of most tournaments is provided by a group of on-site staff that offer commentary and analysis of the current bouts. The events are streamed online and often rebroadcast on television networks, with top viewership figures in the millions. 

Regional League

In each of the six areas, there will be a Regional League, with eight teams in each division. Six weeks are the duration of each league. Two teams from Division I are relegated and two teams from Division II are promoted to Division I at the end of each league’s season. Two teams from Division II are dismissed from the league, and their positions are filled by the champions of the regional qualifier. There are no changes to any of these teams’ standings for the next tour.

RegionOrganizer
Western EuropeDreamHack
Eastrern EuropeEpic Esports Events
ChinaPerfect World
South East AsiaBeyond The Summit
North AmericaESL
South America4D Esports

Check out the top regions with top class Dota 2 teams to keep an eye out for:

Eastern Europe (CIS)

As a result of Team Spirit’s victory at TI 10, the Eastern European Dota 2 scene is astounding. This was the region’s first major Dota 2 trophy since Na’Vi’s victory at TI 1, which occurred over a decade ago.

If you’re a fan of Dota 2 in this region, you’ll witness EPICENTER’s Epic Esports Events Regional League. There are three open qualifiers for the CIS teams, unlike NA, which only has one open qualification. Here are the teams competing in the Eastern Europe Division 1 competition.

  • Natus Vincere
  • Team Empire
  • Team Spirit
  • Virtus.pro
  • Gambit Esports
  • HellRaisers
  • Team Unique
  • PuckChamp

Below is the teams included in the second division of competitors:

  • Ex-XactJlepbl
  • Nemiga Gaming
  • Prosti Esli
  • Winstrike Team
  • Fantastic Five

Western Europe

Alliance, Team Liquid, and Team Secret all preserved a strong core of players while bringing in outside talent to try to redefine their styles and bring something fresh to the 2022 Dota Pro Circuit.

The following groups who will be competing in Division 1 are:

  • Team Secret
  • Nigma Galaxy
  • Alliance
  • Team Liquid
  • Coolguys
  • OG
  • Team Tickles
  • Tundra Esports

The teams competing in the second division are:

  • Brame
  • No Bounty Hunter
  • Chicken Fighters
  • Into The Breach
  • CHILLAX
  • Entity Esports
  • Ghost Frogs
  • Team Bald Reborn

North America

Electronic Sports League (ESL) is the firm in charge of planning the NA tournaments. ESL is one of the most well-known names in competitive Dota. Its popularity is no surprise because some of the best tournaments have been hosted by the brand.

It has been confirmed that the Regional Leagues in North America will be overseen by ESL One. The following groups who will be competing in Division 1 are:

  • Arkosh Gaming
  • D2 Hustlers
  • Evil Geniuses
  • Team Undying
  • Black N Yellow
  • 4 Zoomers
  • simply TOOBASED
  • Quincy Crew

The following are the name of the teams in Division 2:

  • Electronic Boys
  • The Cut
  • felt
  • Bumble bEE’s
  • 5ManMidas

China

China saw one of the most significant roster changes before the last Dota Pro Circuit. The same thing happened this year, with numerous elite teams moved, Elephant disbanded totally, and only PSG remained. LGD is well-positioned to start the new year with a strong track record.

Here are the teams competing in Division 1:

  • Vici Gaming
  • Invictus Gaming
  • Team Aster
  • EHOME
  • PSG.LGD
  • LBZS
  • Royal Never Give Up
  • Phoenix Gaming 

For Division 2:

  • Neptune Gaming
  • Sparking Arrow Gaming
  • Aster.Aries
  • Team Magma
  • CDEC Gaming
  • ShenZhen
  • Xtreme Gaming
  • Ybb Gaming

Southeast Asia

The DPC SEA 2021/22 Tour 1 Division I, which features the best eight teams from Southeast Asia, will kick off Valve’s new professional Dota 2 season in 2022. The BTS DPC SEA 2021/22 Tour 1 Division I is the first Tour of the 2021-2022 Dota 2 season, and it follows Valve’s new DPC model.

The competing teams for Division 1 are:

  • T1
  • Fnatic
  • BOOM Esports
  • TNC Predator
  • Neon Esports
  • Motivate.Trust Gaming
  • Team SMG
  • Execration

Teams in Division 2:

  • Ragdoll
  • Talon Esports
  • Lilgun
  • Polaris Esports
  • Army Geniuses
  • Nigma Galaxy SEA
  • 496 Gaming
  • InterActive Philippines

Several teams in each region managed to build a name for themselves in the first leg of the 2022 Dota Pro Circuit’s Winter Tour regional leagues, despite some mid-season controversies afflicting the whole competitive Dota 2 scene.

Since Valve cancelled the Winter Tour Major, the top four teams from each area will now compete in an online Regional Final to bring this phase of the 2022 DPC to a close. This means that the end-of-Tour tournament will feature more teams than planned in most regions.

Almost every region saw new clubs or lineups emerge in the opening few weeks of the season, while long-time favourites began to falter. Quincy Crew (QC) in North America was only one of six areas to have a team repeat from the 2021 DPC as the Winter Tour’s top seed.

While rebuilding around Quinn and YawaR, QC managed to become regional champions despite the addition of three new players. They were able to hold off a retooled Evil Geniuses team containing Nightfall and JerAx, as well as a strong showing by Team Undying, while also winning their only series.

Nobody was surprised when defending DPC winners Team Spirit swept Eastern Europe, finishing 7-0 and maintaining the history of CIS teams dominating the DPC regional league with an unbeaten record.

Virtus.pro’s new team couldn’t take the region by storm, but they still finished third and remained a formidable foe for the competition. Both PuckChamp and HellRaisers, who spent last season in the bottom two of the league, shocked many fans by making it to the final four.

As a result of Omega Esports’ removal from the Southeast Asia Winter Tour, BOOM Esports was only allowed to remain in Division I. Still, they rapidly established themselves as a dominant force in a region that had undergone far more change than others.

To determine who would advance to the Regional Finals, a round of tiebreakers was held between BOOM, Fnatic, T1, and Team SMG. All deadlocked at 6-1. Fnatic finished second, with T1 and SMG taking third and fourth place, respectively, in those matches.

Only two returning teams playing with the same lineup from last season finished in the top four in South America, with beastcoast slipping to third place after losing three weeks in a row and Infamous gaining second as the squad continues to improve their rankings.Now that the Dota 2 tournaments have commenced, we can all expect fun and exciting esports gaming from our favourite professional teams around the globe.
learning dota 2
22Mar
Top 10 tips for Dota 2 beginners

Learning a new video game usually takes you a few moments with its built-in tutorial feature to get you started. Dota 2 features the same tutorial feature to make your first moments with the game more welcoming than ever. Simply choose the complete novice setting to get some important in-game tips.

Playing Dota 2 is not as easy as it seems because it requires strategy and teamwork aside from individual skills. So, how can you improve your gameplay? Here are 10 beginner tips you should know:

Use an easy hero

Dota 2 is known among gamers as having a steeper learning curve than other MOBAs like League of Legends or Valorant. Fortunately, you can get the hang of this game if you use a low skill cap hero like Sven or Ogre Magi. These heroes allow you to spread your focus on other objectives such as lane pushing and pulling off combos for team fights.

There are plenty more easy heroes you can try in Dota 2. If you want to try other roles, you are free to do so without much risk. Just remember what the interface looks like so you can perfectly execute some good moves.

Go for Roshan

Roshan is the strongest neutral creature in Dota 2. His damage output is so strong that it will take an entire team to take him down. When Roshan is killed, it will drop various items, most notably the Aegis of the Immortal which allows the user to be revived five seconds after dying.

Roshan first spawns at the beginning of the game and gets stronger as time passes. Get your team to try to take him on during the middle to late stages of the game to make sure that they deal enough damage to kill him. Remember that Roshan can decide the outcome of the match When the game has been drawn out, always scout his den.

Try all roles

There are nine different roles in Dota 2, and one or more of these roles can be fit into one hero. Each player on the team is assigned certain positions. This is why you need to match your pick with the objective you have to fulfill.

For example, if you are a carry, you might want to try Juggernaut. If you are an offlaner, you can try Tidehunter. Take your time to study which heroes suit which roles and use the easy ones first if you aren’t that confident with your abilities yet.

Take advantage of wards

With Dota 2’s large map, you have to gain as much information on the location of your opponents as possible. This can be done by purchasing wards. These are items that grant vision on enemies walking on the ground. There are two types of wards: the Observer Ward and the Sentry Ward.

The Observer Ward provides ground vision of enemies while the Sentry Ward is the stronger version, being able to provide True Sight even on invisible units and enemy wards. These two wards can be combined to occupy only one space in your item slots. Place your wards strategically so you know where and when to initiate a gank or team fight.

Tangos are vital during the laning phase

Tangos are spore-like consumable items that can be used to regenerate HP. However, a tango can also be used to consume a tree to double its HP regeneration effect. It is because the Tangos are considered a valuable item to buy in the early stages of the game.

Dota 2’s battlefield is filled with trees. With this, your team should secure lanes if there are fewer trees around. Besides, these trees can also be used to gank unsuspecting heroes. It is also better to get rid of this advantage if your opponent’s lineup relies on hiding in obstacles.

Babysit your team’s core

Your team’s core is the one who will carry your team to victory by winning in team fights. The core is responsible for dealing huge amounts of damage to enemies which is why in the early stages of the game, it needs all the gold and EXP it can get.

In the first 10 minutes of the game, you can help out your core by keeping an eye on the neutral creeps and making sure they aren’t stolen by the enemy. It is also a good idea to protect your core while it is farming to avoid delays in its resource gathering.

Timing is everything

Has your carry been fed enough gold and EXP for it to have all of its key items? Have you got some of the items you need to last longer in team fights? If you or your teammates are confident enough to initiate ambushes or skirmishes, talk to your teammates about what play you will make as well as when and where you will do it.

Some heroes have certain combos that maximize the effects of their abilities and their synergy with their allies. Knowing when to use your hero’s abilities and which order to use them is vital in pulling off great plays.

Anticipate a losing streak

You don’t get to win every Dota 2 game you play, even when you have good teammates. There are also times when you are being teamed with terrible or toxic players. So, expect your win rate to go down a bit. This usually happens when you reach a higher rank.

However, don’t let losing streaks discourage you from playing the game. It’s okay to take a rest during a winless spell but never lose hope of raking in some victorious matches someday. After all, success comes to those who believe in it more.

Don’t take toxic comments too seriously

Toxic players can be found in every game, Dota 2 included. There are players who often taunt opponents by uttering insults in the chat while others hurl racist, sexist, or other derogatory remarks when they get too frustrated in the game. Try not to be like these people.

If you are on the receiving end of these tasteless statements, don’t pay too much attention to them and focus instead on executing combos perfectly or regrouping with your teammates for another round of skirmish. Think of toxic comments as psychological tactics you do not want to fall victim to.

Communicate with your teammates

Dota 2 is a team game, which is why synergy is important from the hero lineup to the positioning during team fights. The best way to demonstrate teamwork in this game is to communicate well with your teammates.

Share ideas on where and how to execute team plays and listen to others’ suggestions as well. Remember to talk to your allies in a friendly manner so as not to tick them off. More importantly, take note of important terms used in the game.
Ultimately, investing time leads to better experience and a more profound overview of how most fans play Dota 2. Every game you play is a chance for you to learn more complicated and more effective moves, so keep on grinding until you master lots of heroes and boost your rank and win rate.
joining a dota 2 game
17Mar
Ten mistakes you should avoid when playing Dota 2

Dota 2 is an online game where you need to form a team of five people and play against another team to destroy the opposing base while defending your own. Just like when playing other games, teamwork and individual skills are foundations for winning this game.

However, some players, especially new ones, are prone to making preventable mistakes that could cost them the game. If you are new to Dota 2, you might want to check out this list of blunders you need to avoid when playing the game:

Miscommunication

As previously mentioned, Dota 2 is a game where you play alongside four other people who have similar skill levels as yours. Therefore, it is important that if you have any ideas for plays, relay them to your teammates properly. Familiarize yourself with the game’s jargon to better communicate with your teammates.

Of course, communication isn’t just about sending a message. You have to listen to your teammates, especially if they have better ideas and make sure you understand what plays you will do to avoid missed plays.

Poor creep wave management

The laning phase is an opportunity for players to improve their creep score and get stronger by leveling up and buying better items. To achieve maximum results during this phase, proper creep wave management is necessary.

Poor creep wave management is synonymous with missing out on valuable resources needed for you to get stronger. Later on in the game, having a decent creep wave size can help your team push. So, if your creep wave management is poor, you will find it difficult to secure lanes.

Stealing farm from the team’s carry

The carry is the player who takes the lead in team fights by dealing sustainably heavy damage. For the carry to get stronger quickly, they need to farm as much as possible and buy better items.

If you aren’t a carry and you decide to take one neutral creep off your jungle, it could delay your carry’s farming progress. Stick to last-hitting creeps first. If you get the chance, you can instead steal the opponent’s farm.

Ignoring the meta

The meta is a term that means ‘most effective tactic available’ and is a collection of heroes who are considered one of the most viable to use in both competitive and casual games. The meta changes every patch or season, depending on which heroes had their abilities adjusted. The effects of items can also affect the meta.

The meta is an important piece of Dota 2 information players should know to improve their win rate. Ignoring which heroes are the most effective in nearly every game means a higher risk of losing a game. You should also understand that certain heroes work best on specific lineups so try to improve your skills by using various heroes.

Too much team fights

In Dota 2, team fights are important in securing lanes and bigger objectives. However, calling for too much team fights, especially in the early parts of the game, can be detrimental to your team as much as it can disrupt your opponent’s plays. It would be better for your team if you take the time to manage creep waves and farm up.

Calling for team fights too often is another way of delaying your carry’s power-ups as they are forced to join in on the action instead of accumulating more gold and EXP. Additionally, counter ganks will be more common if you keep wanting team fights since the opponents will know your rotation.

Not enough team fights

Not having enough team fights is just as bad as constantly wanting them to happen. Misjudging the timing on when to call for a team fight could lead to the opposing team overwhelming you with the resources they have acquired or the creep waves they have prepared for each lane.

Check your team’s items before suggesting a team fight. Ask your teammates if they have the key items they need so you can set up ganks or initiate skirmishes. Also, encourage your teammates to be more confident with themselves and focus on any upcoming team fights.

Going solo

The offlaner position is best suited for players who thrive on one-on-one fights and split pushing. However, during the later parts of the game, the offlaner is prone to ganks. If the offlaner doesn’t have enough map information, they might not do their job well.

This is why going solo is never advisable after some time in the game, especially if you are used to being an offlaner. But if you are a squishy target, you are not supposed to wander the battlefield alone as you will get killed right away.

Being a one-trick pony

This mistake is related to ignoring the meta. Being proficient on only one hero for all your games will stagnate and make you less reliable as you progress through the ranks. You will struggle to play an unfamiliar character if an enemy picks your favourite hero.

This is where the meta comes in. Learn to master the most dependable heroes of the current patch and you won’t have any problem winning a game. Trying out different roles is also a good idea to improve your versatility as a player.

Lack of information

The two most common mistakes beginners commit is not checking their opponents’ items and failing to purchase wards. Just like in other aspects of life, lack of information in Dota 2 can lead to your team’s downfall.

Taking a look at the opposing team’s item builds will give you an idea of how they will fare in team fights. Meanwhile, placing wards on certain points in the map will give you an idea of where the enemies are.

Tilting or rage quitting

Tilting means playing a game while experiencing strong emotions, particularly anger or extreme annoyance. Being too passionate about a game will cloud your judgment which is why it is important for you to focus on your combos and looking after your teammates.

On the other hand, rage quitting is when you decide to instantly stop playing the game because you are overwhelmed by your emotions. Just like tilting, rage quitting can be avoided by focusing on yourself and your teammates. Also, not paying attention to the opponent’s taunts can prevent your emotions from hitting the extreme.
One technique to improving your gameplay is to know what mistakes and weaknesses you should avoid in order to perform well. If you are playing Dota 2, for example, taking note of the 10 mistakes on this list will keep you from performing poorly and copping flak from your teammates.
tournament
15Mar
Top 10 unforgettable moments in Dota 2 esports

Esports has skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade when the fan bases of video games became more supportive of local and international tournaments. Dota 2 experienced the same hype from millions of fans around the world. 

Taking a look at hundreds of professional Dota 2 matches and tournaments held all over the world, there are moments where players get overly joyous and surprised with what they have witnessed. These moments came from feats nobody expected to have been pulled off, making them unforgettable.

So, which moves were considered by fans to be epic and iconic? Here are ten of the most unforgettable moments in Dota 2 esports:

Outlanders Patch

Starting this list with the update that changed Dota 2’s gameplay from 2019 onwards, the Outlanders Patch introduced the highest number of modifications to the game to date. First is the release of two heroes, Void Spirit and Snapfire. Then, changes to couriers, the map layout, and the secret shops have been made.

In addition, heroes now have a maximum level of 30, allowing them to unlock their entire talent tree.

$6 million Echo Slam

This explosive and nerve-racking play happened in The International 2015 finals between the Chinese Dota Elite Community Gaming (CDEC) and North American team Evil Geniuses (EG). The match was a best-of-five series and EG leads 2-1. In Game 4, CDEC figured they could take on Roshan after killing one EG member.

The rest of EG decided to contest the Roshan take and unleashed a flurry of ultimates which ended in Earthshaker’s Echo Slam, inflicting damage and stunning all CDEC members inside the pit. EG gained momentum after that play and eventually won the $6 million grand prize.

Dendi’s million-dollar Dream Coil

There are two million-dollar Dream Coils in TI’s history. The final match between Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) and EHOME has the former up 2-1 while the latter figured a Roshan takedown would give them a win.

Unfortunately for EHOME, Na’Vi’s Dendi cast Puck’s Dream Coil, catching all five of them while inside the pit, sealing their fate in the hands of Puck’s teammates Slardar, Weaver, Chen, and Beastmaster. Na’Vi won the final game of the series and, consequently, the TI 2011 title.

Na’Vi vs IG in TI 2012

Na’Vi appears once more on this list as they defend their title against Invictus Gaming (IG) in the finals of TI 2012. This time, Na’Vi is on the ropes 1-2, but they still wanted to put up a fight. Unfortunately for the Ukrainian team, the combo of Naga Siren’s Song of the Siren and Dark Seer’s Vacuum spelt the beginning of the end.

After being left helpless by the two consecutive crowd control abilities, all of Na’Vi’s players were badly wounded. IG didn’t allow them to recoup and finished the series as TI 2012 champions.

Fountain Hook

This move was shown in the upper bracket semi-finals of The International 2013 between TongFu and Na’Vi. The fountain hook was a combo move using Chen’s teleportation timed perfectly to Pudge’s meat hook, taking an opponent directly to Na’Vi’s fountain which instantly killed them.

Ceb’s Taunt

Here’s another from the TI finals, this time in 2018. OG’s Ana was surrounded by PSG.LGD players and was on the verge of dying when his teammate Ceb used his buyback and teleported to the bottom lane. Ceb managed to rescue Ana by using Axe’s Berserker’s Call and taunt three PSG.LGD players.

Ceb died again, but not before landing two Culling Blades. His brave rescue gave birth to the ‘CEEEEEEEB’ chat wheel famous among Dota 2 players these days.

Ferrari_430 kills an invisible Broodmother

Broodmother is a hero who is known to sneak around and move quickly against enemies using her spider web. Unfortunately, she met her match at The International 2012 in Templar Assassin.

Ferrari_430 is an IG player who became famous for using Templar Assassin to kill an invisible Broodmother without the help of detection items. What he did was he targeted the nearby creeps with Psionic blades which then dealt carryover damage to Broodmother.

Aegis denial by kYxY

A player named kYxY played for Neolution Orange at The International 2013, managing to reach the semi-finals where his team fought Na’Vi. Neolution Orange had the upper hand over Na’Vi. So, they decided to snowball further by killing Roshan.

NeolutionOrange succeeded in killing Roshan, but kYxY then made one of the biggest Dota 2 blunders in its esports history. He misclicked the Aegis of the Immortal, denying his team from having it. It got worse when Na’Vi successfully fought back and eliminated Neolution Orange.

OG’s back-to-back titles

OG is the only team to win The International back-to-back. What made this feat even more impressive is the team succeeded even without two players from its 2018 lineup. Add to that the fact that a Chinese team is the favourite to win the TI 2019 and you have a narrative that deserves to be made into a movie.

It wasn’t made into a movie, rather a documentary series was released depicting the struggles of OG from being the primary target of pro Dota 2 teams in 2018 to being an underdog in 2019.

First TI

Most of the entries on this list wouldn’t be documented if not for Valve’s announcement of the very first worldwide Dota 2 tournament which doubled as a showcase of the game to fans of the original Dota. Valve’s ambitious tournament proved to be a huge success, becoming an annual event with a substantial prize pool.

Through the 2011 event, fans were treated to a first look at Dota 2 and witnessed the crowning of Natus Vincere as the first ever TI champions.
It doesn’t matter whether they’re making a return or are debuting, pro players in Dota 2 tournaments are expected to demonstrate never-before-seen moves that will leave spectators awestruck. Ultimately, what these pros leave behind is the inspiration they instill on casual players to do their best on every game and make every moment count.
terminologies
10Mar
Ten terminologies you need to know before playing Dota 2

Ever since Dota 2’s popularity has grown to monumental heights, many people considered watching professional players play the game as an alternative to spectating sporting events. The excitement that fans get when seeing their favourite pros battle it out is further intensified by having commentators get hyped with narrating what is happening on the battlefield.

Speaking of commentators, these announcers use terms that are familiar to Dota 2 players to give certain situations, techniques, or areas shortened forms or specific words to associate them with. The jargon these broadcasters use may have been taken from other games or have been created by the community itself, so players must familiarize themselves with such words.

If you are new to Dota 2, here are just a few of the terminologies used when talking about the game:

Snowballing

Snowballing refers to a situation where a hero is close to reaching its maximum potential earlier than expected. This means the hero became more powerful than the others on the battlefield and that they are a few steps away from victory.

You can tell a hero has snowballed if their build is filled with the items they need to fulfil their role. Another sign that a hero has snowballed is when they have a better damage output than how much they dealt earlier in the game.

Neutral

Neutral refers to creeps or monsters that are camped in the areas between the lanes. These creatures are not aligned with any team, which is why they are called neutral. No matter which half of the jungle they are in, they will fight back when they are attacked by a hero.

Unlike ordinary creeps, neutrals are slightly more difficult to kill but they also provide more gold and EXP when they are defeated. They respawn after some time, making farming much easier to do.

Triangle

The triangle is an area of the map where three groups of neutrals can be seen. This area allows heroes to farm more quickly, especially those who have area of effect abilities that deal damage to every neutral in the triangle at the same time.

There is more than one triangle for each half of the jungle in Dota 2. Also, the exact locations of these triangles have been changed multiple times already.

Gank

Gank means to attack an unsuspecting enemy with one or more of your allies without having to start a full-on team fight. Basically, a gank is an ambush. This simply means that you and your teammates conceal your presence when coming near the opponent then. When the time is right, all of you strike.

Ganking is always a possibility no matter where you are on the map or what stage of the game it is. If your hero lacks defense, going solo in one lane is a bad idea.

Buyback

Buyback refers to the act of spending gold to respawn immediately upon death. The buyback’s cooldown timer is fixed at 480 seconds. However, the cost of buying back scales with time, meaning the longer the game gets drawn out, the more expensive it is to immediately respawn.

Also, once the buyback is used, the player’s next death will have an extended timer.

Players are encouraged to buyback when they have the option to do it. An immediate resurrection delays any advantage the opponent may get and retain momentum on your side.

Depending on your role, there is a timing for when to use your buyback. For example, supports are advised to buyback immediately. On the other hand, cores need to save their buybacks for when they get stronger.

Roshan

Roshan is the strongest neutral creep in Dota 2. He is camped in his special pit in the northwestern part of the river and spawns right when the game starts. Even at a full build, no single hero can match him in terms of power. This is why it usually requires an entire team to take him down.

Once Roshan has been successfully defeated, he drops the Aegis of the Immortal, among other things. Aegis of the Immortal enables the user to be revived with full HP and mana at the location where they died five seconds ago.

Dive

Dive refers to the act of pursuing an enemy hero even when that hero is within the range of their tower. Obviously, diving is a risky move to do in Dota 2 or any other MOBA. It is usually done when the opponent is dying or they’re the only one left in the enemy team after a skirmish.

Sometimes, diving can also be applied to dying towers themselves. Remember that securing a lane is always an important step in winning.

Juke

A juke refers to a hero’s use of obstacles that obscure vision so that the opponent cannot see where they are going. Juking means being able to disrupt the opponent’s plays. It can also mean serving as an elusive bait who will divert the attention from teammates who have other plans or need to escape.

A good player knows how to juke properly. Esports commentators and spectators find it entertaining if someone knows how to confound their opponents by juking.

Backdoor

Backdoor is just like diving but this is done with the intention of going all the way to the enemy’s base. This tactic is difficult to pull off in Dota 2 because of the game’s built-in backdoor protection wherein towers take reduced damage from heroes when no creeps are nearby.

The backdoor protection encourages players to destroy the front towers first. Additionally, backdoors and split pushes cannot be done sneakily since towers have true sight.

Deny

Deny refers to the act of destroying a friendly structure or killing an allied unit. This action is only seen in Dota 2 and is done to deprive the enemy of gold and EXP.

In MOBAs like Dota 2, gold and EXP are earned by being the last to hit a dying creep, hero, or tower. By denying, this last hit can no longer be done. Denying heroes can be done by teammates or self-inflicted abilities. Towers can be denied if their HP is below 10%.

Specific words used for Dota 2 are useful for fans and pros to understand each other right away. The words in this list only form a small part of the vast glossary of Dota 2 terminologies that players have to learn.
If you are new to the Dota 2 community, don’t be intimidated by the words more experienced players use as you will eventually get what they mean and use those words yourself in the future.
just one more episode
8Mar
A look into Dota: Dragon’s Blood

Have you heard about one of the hottest news stories today? The new era of entertainment is video gaming, or more specifically online gaming. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that has towered over classics like films, music, and traditional sports. No wonder that several world-renowned studios and streaming service companies partner with game developers to release movie and TV show adaptations. 

To date, the biggest and most successful titles that were universally praised and celebrated include Arcane (League of Legends), The Witcher (The Witcher), Final Fantasy 14: Dad of Light (Final Fantasy), and now on this page, Dota: Dragon’s Blood (Dota 2). Finally in mid-2021 and early-2022, fans of arguably the most challenging multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game have gotten a spinoff anime fantasy series where they can enjoy watching an interesting storyline and supporting their favourite heroes. 

Here’s what you need to know about Dota: Dragon’s Blood. However, be warned! We are giving you a heads-up as early as now because if you haven’t completed the two seasons, the following information contains spoilers. 

Reception: A successful video game adaptation

Exclusivity is one of the challenges when watching video game TV show adaptations. Often, non-gamers and casual viewers have difficulty catching up with the context, storyline, and characters. It is, however, a different case with Dragon’s Blood. 

Dragon’s Blood currently has two seasons. Both of which are praised and commended by movie aggregator websites, critics, fans, and even casual viewers. Positive reviews regard how well it stayed true to the MOBA game inspiration — Season 1 (Book 1) for its world-building and character detail and Season 2 (Book 2) as a major improvement over the first. 

The making and release of Dota: Dragon’s Blood

Unlike Arcane, which was independently financed by League of Legends’ video game developer Riot Games, Dragon’s Blood was produced by Studio Mir and Kaiju Boulevard. It is possible that the involvement of Valve Corporation (Dota 2’s developer and publisher) includes input with the spinoff anime series. Although further details were not specified, what we are most certain of is that they trademarked ‘DOTA’. 

Since Dragon’s Blood is a joint collaboration between two South Korean studios (Studio Mir and Production Reve) and American company (Kaiju Boulevard), the animation style screams a blend of anime and Western animation. 

Dragon’s Blood Season 1 debuted on March 25, 2021 on Netflix. Producers promoted it with a teaser trailer released on February 19, a full trailer on March 1, and a promotional video entitled ‘Basshunter Dota Revival’ uploaded on YouTube. The latter content contains Swedish musician Jonas Erik Altberg singing ‘Vi sitter i Ventrilo och spelar DotA’ while playing Dota 2. 

Season 2, on the other hand, premiered on January 18, 2022, despite being originally set for release on January 6. Producers and Valve took this opportunity to promote the new original hero in Dota 2 patch 7.30, Marci. 

Meet the cast and characters

Ready to get behind the scenes of Dragon’s Blood? Meet the solid and talented cast (and their respective characters) who successfully brought the characters to life in the excellent animated series. They are listed as follows: 

  • Yuri Lowenthal as Davion
  • Lara Pulver as Princess Mirana
  • Tony Todd as Slyrak
  • Troy Baker as Invoker
  • Freya Tingley as Fymryn
  • Josh Keaton as Bram
  • Kari Wahlgren as Luna
  • Alix Wilton Regan as Selemene
  • Stephanie Jacobsen
  • Anson Mount as Kaden
  • JB Blanc as Terrorblade
  • Doug Bradley as Viceroy Kashurra
  • Julie Nathanson as Rylai
  • Victoria Atkins as Lina

Synopsis of the 2 seasons

The narrative is set in a mythical world of magic and mysticism and follows Davion, a Dragon Knight who hunts and slays dragons to make the world a safer place. An ancient dragon combines his soul with Davion during a fight between demons and the dragon race of Eldwurm. Davion embarks on a trip with the moon princess Mirana to stop the demon Terrorblade from killing all dragons and collecting their souls.

Season 1 (Book 1)

Episode 1: What the Thunder Said

There is no rest for the good and brave, especially when Dragon Knight Davion makes a foreboding discovery and meets a princess with a purpose. A ferocious battle burns its hero.

Episode 2: Princess of Nothing

Mirana and Marci assist Davion, who has limited memory. The Black Market calls, and Davion spits out a telltale ring, unleashing a beast inside.

Episode 3: Neverwhere Land

Continue to fantasise. A tormented Dragon Knight and a skilled lotus thief are both driven by visions. As Mirana is humbled by a perilous journey, Fymryn sets out to find her sorcerer.

Episode 4: The Monster at the End of This Book

Fear summons a goddess, and Davion seeks answers — or a battle — from a moody brother. Fymryn’s saviour is up against a strong luminary who is ready to wage war.

Episode 5: The Fire Sermon

While the Order heads to battle, the group deals with a rocky landing. Slyrak is on the rampage, and Davion must face the strong spirits of ancient dragons.

Episode 6: Knight, Death and the Devil

Fymryn and Luna make an appeal to their respective deities. The Invoker confronts Davion and Mirana with harsh reality, which subsequently leads to a broken deal.

Episode 7: Speak the Words

A bereaved father recalls his daughter’s memories. Fymryn, up to her old pranks, rushes into a dragon’s nest, leaving Davion to risk everything.

Episode 8: A Game of Chess

Old friends — and foes — resurface. Mirana and Fymryn strive to make things right, but a goddess has other intentions, and harsh oblivion calls.

Season 2 (Book 2) 

Episode 9: Nothing with Nothing

The Invoker confronts Selemene after negotiating a bargain with a demon. Mirana and Luna are in charge of the troops. Davion discovers a life-threatening discovery.

Episode 10: My Sword, My Life

As a squire stands forward and a patriarch plays on inner anxieties, a swarm like no other threatens the keep. Mirana, desperate for assistance, finds safety — or does she?

Episode 11: The Lady of Situations

Chaos descends on siblings due to a lack of confidence and trust. As a princess returns to her roots, Davion’s troop seeks refuge with a one-of-a-kind dragon.

Episode 12: Desolate and Empty the Sea

Mirana strikes a contract to purchase an army. Bram’s game shows a new side to him. Davion travels to the Helio Imperium in search of the Eye of the World Wyrm. 

Episode 13: The Burial of the Dead

Mirana’s roots are revealed as the hunt for an assassin intensifies. A goddess full of remorse, an elf uncovered, and a princess on the verge. 

Episode 14: The Hyacinth Girl

Is Davion’s music no longer heard? Lina goes up against Slyrak. A poetry-spinning dragon ushers in the sun, and then the Imperium is shaken by a stunning power manoeuvre.

Episode 15: The Violet Hour

In this episode, a leader emerges. Davion is confronted by a forgery. Lina admits her guilt. Fymryn is troubled by remorse, a monster, and a promise. A power emerges from behind the scenes.

Episode 16: Unreal City

Darkness emerges – and demands sacrifices. Davion puts everything on the line, Bram rises to the situation, and Mirana strives for inner power.
how to play PA
3Mar
Dota 2 hero guide: How to effectively play Phantom Assassin

Dota 2 is like the ocean, featuring an ever-changing meta and sophisticated mechanics. It is so deep and challenging that in order to fully enjoy its bliss, you must first scale the high mountains of skill development. 

Although Dota 2 has such a factor called a range of ‘player experience’, you can already pass a tough yet exciting test with the right beginner hero. If your gameplay matches the likes of someone who delivers very fast and powerful hits, here’s what you need to know about Phantom Assassin. 

About Mortred, the Phantom Assassin

Carry is a difficult position for newbies to master. Yet if you want to be a strong Dota 2 player, you should start studying it now, and one of the best heroes to practice with is Phantom Assassin. 

Mortred, the Phantom Assassin is a member of the enigmatic Veiled Sisters, who are known for killing random individuals for unknown reasons. Yet most likely, it is to maintain a delicate balance in this universe. She can approach a target quickly and deliver strong strikes in the game. Her initial defence and health are low, but dodging allows her to evade direct hits.

Phantom Assassin uses her Stifling Dagger to inflict damage and delay an opponent. Her skill called Phantom Strike is an extremely useful teleportation mastery, for it allows her to immediately hop to an opponent and attack them more effectively. Another of her popular ability called Blur, on the other hand, is used to dodge assaults and temporarily become invisible.

By far of Dota 2’s meta changes, the most potent ability of Phantom Assassin is also the most simple to use because it is passive. This is Coup de Grace, and it improves the likelihood of a critical strike with the normal attack or Stifling Dagger. Read further on this page to get to know more about her abilities, item builds, and matchups. These basic qualities will help you understand how to effectively navigate her through the game. 

Abilities

Bring the best of Phantom Assassin as you learn all about her five following abilities. 

  1. Stifling Dagger

This is your instrument for pestering, farming, and killing. The spell is quite effective at securing last-hits in the lane. Once hit, the spell delivers a slow debuff and does damage to a hero, including any item modifications and passive abilities.

  1. Phantom Strike

Like what was mentioned above, this skill is both a mobility and killing tool for you. The spell causes Phantom Assassin to blink on top of the target, whether it is an adversary or a comrade. So, if you blink on top of an adversary, you will get an extra 2 seconds of attack speed.

  1. Blur

Whenever enemy heroes are around, don’t forget that Phantom Assassin’s Blur skill can render her invisible. This spell is excellent for harvesting neutral stacks and travelling around the battlefield undetected, thereby making her very powerful against heroes that do not naturally build MKB — such as Anti-Mage, Spectre, and Luna — since it forces them to spend 5,000 gold on an item they don’t actually want. 

As previously stated, Phantom Assassin’s Blur may be used to avoid spells and ranged auto attacks if engaged at the right time. Meaning, it may also be highly disorienting and irritating to play against, so use this after your initial leap to give yourself some time. 

  1. Coupe De Grace (Ultimate)

There isn’t much to say about Coup De Grace because it is what allows Phantom Assassin to get the job done: attacking with skill but passively. Her distinguishing attribute as a carry hero is the massive increase in her critical damage, thereby making her so strong among other Dota 2 beginner heroes. 

  1. Aghanim’s Shards: Fan of Knives

This new upgrade to Phantom Assassin allows her to eliminate heroes that previously possessed annoying passives, such as Tidehunter, Spectre, and Bristleback, among others. The Area of Effect (AoE) break on this skill makes it difficult to miss, and it aids Phantom Assassin in cutting through even the tankiest opponents.

Item builds

Another interesting fact about Phantom Assassin is that she is heavily reliant on items. She will have a lot of difficulties in the fight if she doesn’t blast the first target she jumps on. So, here we list down the appropriate items you ought to bring out as we navigate you through the different phases of the game.  

  1. Before the game starts

To begin with, you should bring out two sets of Tangoes, a Quelling Blade, an Iron Branch, Slippers of Agility, and a Faerie Fire.

Quelling Blade improves Phantom Assassin’s farming abilities. She can farm the gear she needs to start being successful in a match by being able to last-hit more readily and kill neutral camps faster. Second, Iron Branch provides a cost-effective boost to her qualities and may be upgraded into Magic Wand. Third, Faerie Fire allows you to survive the early combat and grants an additional two damage.

  1. Early-game

Bring two Wraith Bands early in the game, to be followed by Power Treads and a Magic Wand. The former dramatically improves Phantom Assassin’s battle efficiency and survival by increasing agility and attack speed.

Phantom Assassin can switch to strength to gain more health, or intellect to use spells (i.e. Stifling Dagger than can attribute to her intelligence). The latter, on the other hand, can significantly boost her survival and effectiveness in the early game. It offers a minimal number of characteristics as well as massive charge storage for burst health and mana regen. Either way, both of which are critical for an agility hero with low strength and intellect.

  1. Mid-game

You should go for Battle Fury, Desolator, and a Black King Bar in the mid-game. Battle Fury is vital for Phantom Assassin because she has little farming potential (i.e. farm-dependent melee hero). You should have no issue collecting all of the other equipment you need with this item because it offers you additional damage. 

You can, however, skip it when you need to enter combat as soon as possible. So, if the enemy side begins with a strong start, then it is where you should instantly summon Desolator to enter combat.

  1. Late-game

The aim during the later-game is to obtain Abyssal Blade and Satanic. After you have finished your standard item build, you can consider Divine Rapier.

Abyssal Blade can provide Phantom Assassin with the lockdown and damage she requires to rapidly remove critical opponents in combat. After using Phantom Strike on an opponent, she can stun them with the smash. Satanic, on the other hand, increases her durability in team battles by letting her quickly replenish her health with Coup de Grace critical strikes.

Hero verdict: Matchups for Phantom Assassin

Phantom Assassin could be a viable carry, but only if she avoids heroes that aren’t good for her and work with those that compliment her abilities. Listed below are her hero matchups.

Heroes Phantom Assassin must avoid

  • Axe
  • Bane
  • Broodmother
  • Centaur Warruner
  • Dragon Knight
  • Lina
  • Lion
  • Morphling
  • Omniknight
  • Phoenix

Heroes Phantom Assassin can work well with

  • Ancient Apparition
  • Beastmaster
  • Magnus
  • Slardar
  • Vengeful Spirit
  • Shadow Fiend
  • Dazzle

Phantom Assassin is a highly recommended Dota 2 hero for those who like assassins or heroes that rely heavily on their skills to deal damage and kill enemies. She is so powerful that she requires you to invest a lot of gold in order to make her more powerful with items.
how to play tinker
1Mar
Dota 2 hero guide: How to effectively play Tinker

Dota 2 hero guide: How to effectively play Tinker

The frequent updates and changing patterns of Dota 2’s meta and balancing are two of the game’s interesting and unique features. No matter how many years have passed since its launch and several various multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games were recently released in the market, there is always something new and exciting for every type of player. So, if you are looking for an intelligence hero excellent in both defence and lane push, read further to learn more about Tinker, and how to effectively play him. 

About Boush, the Tinker

Intelligence heroes continuously prove to the Dota 2 gaming community that they are a class on their own. While they are not exactly comparable to the likes of Agility heroes’ clutch moves and Strength heroes’ commanding aura, they have by far the highest number of disabling capabilities. With that, prepare to meet Boush, the Tinker. 

Tinker is a ranged intelligence hero notably known for being one of the oldest heroes in Dota 2. His ability to leverage great mobility and blistering nukes to gank enemies and push lanes make him challenging to play and master. Not to worry because this guide covers essential key points to play him effectively. 

Tinker: From midlane to support

One of the typical changes in Dota 2’s meta is the ability of heroes to swap roles. Just like with the classic saying, ‘expect the unexpected’ in this MOBA game. Heroes who were carries for years suddenly shift to supports, whereas healers who you have gotten used to can be seen as carries. As for Tinker, he is one of those who transitioned from midlane to support in Dota 2 patch 7.30.

Prior to diving into the intricacies of Tinker’s gameplay qualities, let’s focus more on the recent multiple changes he received to his kit. The biggest two examples to take note — which also make him a crucial option as a support — are as follows:

  1. Removal of the March of the Machines as a basic spell

Tinker’s finest farming ability was March of the Machines, as it let him easily clear creeps all across the map. Sadly, but at the same time effectively, its removal has led to the addition of the Defensive Matrix, which is an ability he got after purchasing Aghanim’s Shard. Meaning, the robots spawned by it deal 30 damage to enemies that it hit on a 190 manacost. 

  1. Addition of Keen Conveyance

Tinker’s Keen Conveyance allows him to teleport to ally buildings, units, and heroes on levels one, two, and three, respectively. With that, you no longer need him to buy Boots of Travel, as he can join fights and help his companions at level six anywhere across the world.

Tinker is now better suited to the support role in patch 7.30, thanks to the two adjustments. However, how well do you think he can be further developed as an effective support character? Read more as we tell you more about his skill builds and item builds.

Skill builds

Tinker is a diverse Dota 2 hero, and his four following skill builds exemplify that. 

  1. Laser → This is a strong pure damage nuke that has a blind time of 4.5 seconds, can hit several foes, and deals 320 pure damage. Maxing this out early in the game can instantly give the most benefit to the hero. Then in the laning stage, further using it can deny opposing final hits and denials.
  1. Heat-Seeking Missile → As the name suggests, this is an extremely long range skill, further increasing Tinker’s damage in the game. It allows him to teleport into a team battle and launch a 350 damage bomb that strikes two heroes every three seconds. This is so strong that it is likely recommended as a good finishing spell to fleeing enemies who are low on HP (health points).
  1. Defense Matrix → This shield is typically skipped in the game’s first phase because, let’s face it, it is not that impressive that it can only withstand 320 damage. However, it is still crucial in Tinker’s overall skill build because its 50% status resistance can be used to defend cores against disables. 
  1. Rearm → This is Tinker’s signature ability. It allows him to cast spells and activate item abilities as much as he wants as long as he has enough mana. When combined with Boots of Travel (although not necessary), Tinker may become one of the most active heroes in the game, moving himself worldwide to push lanes, gank foes, and seize map objectives.

Item builds

In patch 7.30, Dota 2 players may choose from a variety of item setups. Tinker players will often choose a mix of the things listed below.

  1. Tranquil Boots → These boots increase movement speed and HP regeneration, both of which are important for Tinker’s assistance.
  1. Soul Ring → This item complements Tranquil Boots wonderfully. Altogether, Tinker can become a more effective support because he can use his spells more frequently, and he doesn’t have to return to base to heal.
  1. Magic Wand → This item has one of the highest values in Dota 2 patch 7.30. It is excellent in team battles for both emergency heal and mana. When combined with a Soul Ring during a team battle, it is likely that you can create a backfire. So, obtain a Magic Wand as backup.
  1. Glimmer Cape → Tinker is one of the top users of this skill since Rearm allows him to replenish item cooldowns. With this, he can keep himself gleaming at all times during team fights while remaining safe.
  1. Blink Dagger → While this item is difficult to obtain, it is still the finest mobility equipment in the game. Tinker players should try to obtain Blink while facing adversaries with a high catch probability. It’s not a necessary item in every game, but it’s always handy to have.
  1. Aether Lens → Tinker can stay safe throughout confrontations because of this skill’s increased cast range.
  1. Aghanim’s Scepter → This is the most effective item for increasing Tinker’s damage. It can transform Laser into Shrink Ray, thereby delivering an additional 10% damage dependent on the enemy’s current health. Furthermore, it also bounces off to the farthest enemy hero in range, giving Shrink Ray an additional 300 throw range.
  1. Scythe of Vyse → Tinker remains one of the finest Scythe of Vyse users in Dota 2, regardless he serves as a support or main. With this item, he can permanently cripple another hero and bring them down with the assistance of teammates or lasers.

Hero verdict: Matchups for Tinker

A solid Tinker game is one in which your opponent does not have the Global or Long-range catch to prevent you from farming or casting spells in a team battle. That is why to complete your hero guide of Tinker, here we list down the most popular heroes to avoid and work well with:

Heroes Tinker must avoid

  • Anti-Mage
  • Clockwerk
  • Dazzle
  • Doom
  • Legion Commander
  • Lifestealer
  • Luna
  • Night Stalker
  • Nyx Assassin
  • Pudge
  • Slark

Heroes Tinker can work well with

  • Faceless Void
  • Kunkka
  • Nature’s Prophet
  • Spirit Breaker
  • Bloodseeker
  • Keeper of the Light
  • Bounty Hunter
  • Slardar

Tinker is widely known as a solid hero. His spells are amazing and his skill set makes him quite powerful and reliable in team fights. While it is true that players find him difficult to play in pubs, esports athletes consider him a useful mid-laner. We hope that this brief guide will help you become a better player with Tinker.

Copyright © 2024 DOTA Game - 도타 게임