Gameplay

Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena game, with the gameplay focused around combat in a three-dimensional environment from an oblique high-angle perspective. The player may command a single controllable character called a "Hero", which is chosen from a selection pool of up to 107.  Each Hero begins the match at level one, but may become more powerful by leveling up by accumulating experience through combat. With every level gained, to the maximum of twenty-five, the player may select a new ability for their Hero to learn, or else enhance their general statistics. The Hero's methods of combat is influenced by its primary property, which can be Strength, Agility, or Intelligence.

Dota 2 features a host of items which the player may obtain predominantly through purchase by gold, the currency of the game. Items vary in function, as some enhance the statistics of a Hero, while others grant additional abilities. Gold is granted at a steady rate, though it can be accumulated in greater quantity by destroying enemies. Killing non-player characters grants gold solely to the player who landed the final blow, whereas killing enemy Heroes grants gold to nearby allies as well. Destroying towers or killing Roshan gives gold to all players on the team. "Denying" is a feature of the game where players inhibit the enemy's ability to accumulate gold and experience by killing an allied unit or destroying an allied structure before the enemy can do so.

Each match of Dota 2 takes place on a functionally symmetrical map that features the strongholds of two warring factions, the Radiant and the Dire. The Radiant is based at the southwest corner of the map, while the Dire is based at the northeast corner; the two sides are divided by a river that runs perpendicular to the central lane. These factions are defended by up to five players each, and are pitted against one another to compete as the defenders for their respective Ancient. In each stronghold is a critical structure called the "Ancient", a fountain that provide health and lesser structures. These bases are connected by three paths, referred to as "lanes" – two run parallel with the edges of the map, while one runs directly between the two bases. The lanes are guarded by defensive towers, as well as autonomous characters called "creeps", which periodically spawn in groups and traverse the lanes, attacking enemies they encounter. Featured across the map are hostile characters referred to as "neutrals", which are not aligned to either faction and are primarily located in the forests. Located in a tarn on the northeast side of the river is a "boss" called "Roshan", who typically requires multiple team members to kill and drops powerful items.

Dota 2 features a variety of seasonal events, which provide players with the option of playing the game with special game modes that alter the aesthetics and objectives. With the seasonal event game modes, the central focus of the game shifts away from the standard battle composition, in order to focus on new objectives central to the seasonal events. Thus far, there have been three seasonal events to take place, including the Halloween-themed Diretide event, the Christmas-themed Frostivus event, and the New Bloom Festival, which celebrates the coming of spring.