Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game titles are known for being complex. Dota 2 is one of them and they are one of the most challenging games to learn how to play especially for beginners. 

Its complexity is often compared with the easier MOBAs out there such as mobile MOBAs and League of Legends. Dota 2 has a higher learning curve compared to said games, that’s why some players may initially shy away from the game.

However, Dota 2 is not impossible to learn. For example, beginners can start with beginner heroes that do not make use of complicated mechanics, allowing players to not be overwhelmed by specific details and aspects and focus more on understanding how the game works. Read on about some tips to help you get accustomed to the game smoothly.

Every game is winnable

Unlike other MOBAs, remember that every game is winnable, so do not feel too pressured. In other MOBA titles, a team can secure absolute victory simply by gaining the upper hand. However, there is no such thing in Dota 2.

Even among professional Dota 2 teams, there have been instances in which the win probability of a team was less than 5% and they still happened to be the winning team in the end.

Prioritize objectives over kills

Some often play as if they do not know that the game of Dota 2 ends when their team is able to destroy the enemy Ancient, and not when they kill the entire enemy team.

Because of this, you should prioritize securing objectives in Dota 2. This comes in various forms such as Towers and other Structures which are the most common ones. Other subtle objectives include the following others:

• Runes
• Outposts
• Roshan
• Ancient-type neutral camps

Among these objectives, the set of Towers still stands out. Once you are able to take out a Tower of the enemy team, they will lose control over that part of the map.

For instance, if an enemy player in a certain part of the map gets attacked by multiple players, their allies will have to teleport to a far-away tower. This drastically affects how much remaining time they have to respond. Thus, the fewer towers a team has, the more cautious they have to be.

Pay attention to the time and map

In a game where you’re playing as the support, you will have to keep an eye out on the Neutral camps that respawn every 60 seconds. You may use the timer in order to keep an eye on when you will need to stack Neutral camps so that your allied Carried heroes can farm faster and efficiently.

When playing as a support, there are techniques that you may use in Dota 2 such as pulling Creeps that work best if you are accustomed to doing this at the right timing. 

Other important timings that one should monitor include the Day & Night cycle wherein the map gets darker during the night, Roshan that spawns every 8 to 11 minutes after dying, Bounties and Catapults that spawns every 5 minutes, and many others.

You should also take note of the proper timings for when a particular hero should be able to reach a certain level or be eligible to buy an item.

Do not stick to one hero only

One trend in MOBA titles over the years is the idea of ‘mains’. Most of the time, players have a main character that they play the most. However, this is not the case for Dota 2. Mains very rarely exist, and there are only notable exceptions when talking about some of the most complicated heroes in the game such as Earth Spirit, Invoker, and Arc Warden.

It is recommended that a player tries to learn how to play as many heroes in Dota 2 as possible. Even though you may have a favorite hero, you may eventually find yourself having a difficult time playing against a certain hero using your favorite. In this case, you should try playing another hero instead.

A wide repertoire of playable heroes allows you to learn more about how certain heroes work and the reasons why one hero is weak against another. You will be exposed to various ways that you can use to counter certain heroes once you play against them.

Communicate

Communication plays a crucial role if you want to win a game in Dota 2. Take advantage of how the game makes it easy for players to coordinate with each other using the Ping system. 

It allows players to let other players know necessary information in a single click of a button, like whether an enemy was spotted in a particular area or they’re missing from the map.

Watch and learn

One of the best ways to improve in any game, like Dota 2, is to study it. Do this by watching videos of professional players, especially when they’re doing it in a professional setting. 

Another way is playing with other players of higher ranks. It is a sure way to expose you to how much skill gap exists between players at your level and those in slightly higher ranks.

You should also take advantage of the coaching system in Dota 2 and have someone jump into your games. They will help you by pointing out where you’re going wrong, what your common errors are, and how to fix your shortcomings.

Avoid toxicity

Dota 2’s competitive nature can sometimes make it tempting to vent out your anger towards your team and be toxic. Avoid doing this since toxicity and over-competitiveness can put unnecessary pressure on you and your teammates. 

Avoid derogatory and obscene remarks, especially ones that are sexist, homophobic, racist, and transphobic. Remember that there are instances in which minors may be playing as well. Contribute to making a safe and healthy gaming space for everyone.