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{{Infobox video game dota
| title = Dota 2
| image = [[File:DotA2.jpg|300px]]
| developer = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valve_Corporation Valve Corporation]
| publisher = Valve Corporation
| producer = Erik Johnson
| designer = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceFrog IceFrog]
| writer = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Laidlaw Marc Laidlaw], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Kosmatka Ted Kosmatka], Kris Katz
| composer = Jason Hayes, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Larkin Tim Larkin]
| engine = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 Source 2]
| platform = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows Microsoft Windows], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/OS_X OS X], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Linux Linux]
| release = '''Microsoft Windows''' July 9, 2013<br /> '''OS X, Linux''' July 18, 2013
| genre = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Multiplayer_online_battle_arena Multiplayer online battle arena]
| mode = [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Single-player_video_game Single-player], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Multiplayer_video_game multiplayer]
}}

'''''Dota 2''''' is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Free-to-play free-to-play] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Multiplayer_online_battle_arena multiplayer online battle arena] (MOBA) video game developed and published by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Valve_Corporation Valve Corporation]. The game is the stand-alone sequel to ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Defense_of_the_Ancients Defense of the Ancients]'' (''DotA''), which was a community-created [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Mod_(video_gaming) mod] for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Blizzard_Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment]'s ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]'' and its expansion pack, ''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Warcraft_III:_The_Frozen_Throne The Frozen Throne]''. ''Dota 2'' is played in matches between two teams that consist of five players, with both teams occupying their own separate base on the map. Each of the ten players independently control a powerful character, known as a "hero", that each feature unique [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/en/Skill_(role-playing_games) abilities] and different styles of play. During a match, a player and their team collects [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_point experience point]s and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Item_(gaming) items] for their heroes in order to fight through the opposing team's defenses. A team wins by being the first to destroy a large structure located in the opposing team's base, called the "Ancient".

Development of ''Dota 2'' began in 2009 when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IceFrog IceFrog], the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudonym pseudonym]ous lead designer of the original ''Defense of the Ancients'' mod, was hired by Valve to create a modern sequel. ''Dota 2'' was officially released on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_(software) Steam] in July 2013 for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows Microsoft Windows], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OS_X OS X], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux Linux]-based personal computers, following a Windows-only [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_beta open beta] phase that began two years prior. Despite some criticism going towards its steep [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_curve learning curve] and complexity, the game was praised for its rewarding gameplay, production quality, and faithfulness to its predecessor. The game initially used the original [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_(game_engine) Source game engine] until it was [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ported ported] over to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Source_2 Source 2] in 2015, making it the first game to use it. Since its release, ''Dota 2'' has been the most played game on Steam, with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_active_users peaks of over a million concurrent players]. The popularity of the game has led to official merchandise being produced for it, including apparel, accessories, and toys, as well as promotional [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tie-in tie-in]s to other games and media. The game also allows for the community to create custom game modes, maps, and cosmetics for the heroes, which are then uploaded to the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_Workshop Steam Workshop].

''Dota 2'' has a widespread and active competitive scene, with teams from across the world playing professionally in various dedicated [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_league leagues] and tournaments. Premium ''Dota 2'' tournaments often have prize pools totaling millions of US dollars, the highest of any [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESport eSport]. The largest of them is known as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_International_(Dota_2) The International], which is produced by Valve and held annually at the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KeyArena KeyArena] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle Seattle]. Valve also sponsors smaller, but more frequently held tournaments known as the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dota_2?oldformat=true#Majors |Majors], which lead up to the International every year. For larger tournaments, media coverage is done by a selection of on-site staff who provide commentary and analysis for the ongoing matches, similar to traditional sporting events. Broadcasts of professional ''Dota 2'' matches are [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_streaming streamed live] over the internet, and sometimes simulcast on television networks, with peak viewership numbers in the millions.

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== Gameplay ==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplayer_online_battle_arena#Gameplay See also: Mechanics of multiplayer online battle arena games]
[[File:Dota 2 Gameplay Sep 2013.jpg|thumb|300px|right|A game of ''Dota 2'' in progress, showing the Dire team at one of their entrances to their base]]
''Dota 2'' is a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiplayer_online_battle_arena multiplayer online battle arena] (MOBA) video game in which [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Player_versus_player two teams of five players] compete to collectively destroy a large structure defended by the opposing team known as the "Ancient", whilst defending their own. As in ''Defense of the Ancients'', the game is controlled using standard [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real-time_strategy#Gameplay real-time strategy controls], and is presented on a single [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Level_(video_gaming) map] in a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_computer_graphics three-dimensional] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isometric_graphics_in_video_games_and_pixel_art isometric perspective]. Ten players each control one of the game's 113 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playable_character playable character]s, known as "heroes", with each having their own design, benefits, and weaknesses. Heroes are divided into two primary [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Character_class roles], known as the "carry" and "support". Carries, which are also called "cores", begin each match as weak and vulnerable, but are able to become more powerful later in the game, thus becoming able to "carry" their team to victory. Supports generally lack abilities that deal heavy damage, instead having ones with more functionality and utility that provide assistance for their carries.

All heroes have a basic damage-dealing attack, in addition to powerful [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skill_(role-playing_games) abilities]. Each hero has at least four abilities, all of which are unique, which are the primary method of fighting. The most powerful ability for each hero is known as their "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signature_move ultimate]", which requires them to have an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_point Experience point|experience level] of six in order to learn and use. In order to prevent abilities from being [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skill_spamming spammed] without consequence, a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_system magic system] in the game exists. Activating an ability costs a hero some of their "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(gaming) mana points]", which regenerate slowly over time. Using an ability will also cause it to enter a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooldown cooldown] phase, in which the ability can not be used again until a timer counts down to zero. All heroes have three [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attribute_(role-playing_games) attributes]: strength, intelligence, and agility, which affect [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_(gaming) health points], mana points, and attack speed, respectively. Each hero has one primary attribute out of the three, which adds to their non-ability basic damage. Heroes begin each game with an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Experience_point experience level] of one, only having access to one of their abilities, but are able to level up and become more powerful during the course of the game, up to a maximum level of 25. Whenever a hero gains an experience level, the player is able to unlock another of their abilities or improve one already learned. Heroes also have an ability augmentation system known as "Talent Trees", which allow players further choices on how to develop their hero. If a hero [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_(gaming) runs out of health points] and dies, a timer begins to count down until they [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spawning_(video_gaming) respawn] in their base.
[[File:Dota 2 minimap.jpg|thumb|200px|right|An older version of the in-game [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini-map mini-map] representing the game's playing field, showing the Radiant side in green and Dire side in red]]

The two teams—known as the Radiant and Dire—occupy fortified bases in opposite corners of the map, which is divided in half by a crossable river and connected by three paths, where are referred to as "lanes". The lanes are guarded by defensive towers that slowly, but frequently, attack any opposing unit who gets within its [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_sight_(gaming) line of sight]. A small group of weak [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_intelligence computer-controlled] creatures called "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mob_(video_gaming) creeps]" travel predefined paths along the lanes and attempt to attack any opposing heroes, creeps, and buildings in their way. The map is also permanently covered for both teams in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fog_of_war#In_video_games fog of war], which prevents a team from seeing the opposing team's heroes and creeps if they are not directly in sight of an allied unit. The map also features a day-night cycle, with some features and mechanics being altered depending on the time of the cycle.

Items known as "wards" are able to be placed in most locations on the map, granting line of sight vision in a small area around it for the team who had planted it. Wards last for six minutes after being placed, and will disappear once time runs out or if discovered and destroyed by the opposing team. Also present on the map are "neutral creeps" that are hostile to both teams, and reside in marked locations on the map known as "camps". Camps are located in the area between the lanes known as the "jungle", which both sides of the map have. Neutral creeps do not attack unless provoked, and will respawn over time if killed. The most powerful neutral creep is named "Roshan", who is a unique [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_(video_gaming) boss] that may be killed by either team to obtain an [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Item_(gaming) item] that allows a one-time resurrection by the hero that holds it. Roshan will respawn around ten minutes after being killed, and becomes progressively harder to kill as the match continues over time.

In addition to having abilities becoming stronger during the game, players are able to buy items that provide their own special abilities. Items are not limited to specific heroes, and can be bought by anyone. In order to obtain an item, players must be able to afford it with gold, which is primarily obtained by killing enemy heroes, destroying enemy structures, and killing creeps, with the latter being an act called "[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grinding_(video_gaming) farming]". Only the hero that lands the killing blow on a creep obtains gold from it, an act called "last hitting", but all nearby allies receive gold when an enemy hero dies. Players are also able to "deny" allied units and structures by destroying them, which then prevents their opponents from getting full experience. Gold can not be shared between teammates, with each player having their own independent stash. The player also receives a small, continuous stream of gold over the course of a match.

''Dota 2'' also occasionally features seasonal events that present players with alternative [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_modes game modes] that do not follow the game's standard rules. Some of these included the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween Halloween]-themed Diretide event, the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas Christmas]-themed Frostivus event, and the New Bloom Festival, which celebrated the coming of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_(season) spring]. In October 2015, a Halloween-themed "capture point" game mode was released, titled "Colosseum". The move to the Source 2 engine in 2015 also saw the addition of community-created custom game modes, with the more popular ones having dedicated server hosting by Valve. In 2016, Valve introduced the "Custom Game Pass" option to custom game modes, which allows content creators to add exclusive features, content, and other changes to their game mode.

==Images==
<gallery mode="nolines">
File:Dota201201.jpg| 2012
File:Dota201202.jpg| 2012
File:Dota201401.jpg| 2014
File:Dota201701.jpg| 2017
</gallery>

==See also==
[[Dota 2 Inventory]]