Dota 2 is based on session-based online multiplayer action. The aim of each team is to destroy their opposing team's fortified stronghold called "Ancient Fortress". Each player takes part in team combat which take place in defensive tower lined alley ways between bases.
One Battlefield. Infinite Possibilities.
When it comes to diversity of heroes, abilities, and powerful items, Dota boasts an endless array—no two games are the same. Any hero can fill multiple roles, and there's an abundance of items to help meet the needs of each game. Dota doesn't provide limitations on how to play, it empowers you to express your own style.
The Map is the playing field for all Dota 2 matches. It is comprised of two sides, one for the Radiant faction, and one for the Dire faction. To win, players must destroy the opposing side's Ancient, an important building at the center of each team's base. The map is represented in the interface by the minimap. It is also important to note that the game only contains one map by default, however, custom games can feature new, community created maps.
All heroes
Competitive balance is Dota's crown jewel, and to ensure everyone is playing on an even field, the core content of the game—like the vast pool of heroes—is available to all players. Fans can collect cosmetics for heroes and fun add-ons for the world they inhabit, but everything you need to play is already included before you join your first match.
Heroes
Each player controls a unique Hero out of a pool of 113. Unlike many other similar games, Dota 2 only allows there to be 1 of a specific hero in a game. Each hero has unique stats, Spells, and Talent Trees. Heroes start at level 1 and max out at level 25. Every level until 19 grants a Skill Point which can be used to unlock or upgrade spells or add a branch to your Talent Tree.
Buildings
Aside from the Ancient, there are four kinds of buildings: Effigies, Barracks, Shrines, and Towers. Three towers are placed along each of the three "lanes" of the Dota map, with two outside the base and one defending the Barracks. These towers are differentiated by tiers--the Tier 1 (T1) tower is furthest from the base, the Barracks tower is Tier 3, and two Tier 4 towers defend the Ancient. Higher tier means more armor, hp, and damage. In order to attack a tower or barracks, the previous tower must be destroyed first. Additionally, buildings aside from T1s gain "Backdoor Protection" while there are no enemy creeps (see below) nearby, granting them bonus armor and regenerating damage they take while in that state. This adds structure to pushing, as players will need creeps nearby to push.
Items are used to give Heroes additional various abilities, bonus attributes, as well as secondary stats such as armor, attack speed, or improved regeneration of health or mana. Items are sold at Shops, which can be found at the base, the side-lanes, or the more secluded Secret Shops. More powerful items can be constructed by combining weaker items in fixed combinations which require a specific set of items to be in the inventory together. Items take up space in the Hero's inventory, courier's inventory, or stash, all of which have 6 slots for storage and an additional 3 backup space where items are muted and can be switched with the main inventory items with the activation delay of 6 seconds.