What makes Dota 2 matches some of the most interesting?
Dota 2 is one of the oldest esports titles in history, and somehow, despite being over a decade old, it remains one of the most relevant games in the esports industry. How is an old game like Dota 2 staying popular, and why are there few to no competitors to beat it? This article'll discuss why Dota 2 matches are exhilarating to watch.
Drafting Stage
In games like CS:GO and Valorant, players always buy the same weapons, and the factor that changes are the different maps provided in the game. To many, even rotating maps prevent these games from being very exciting.
However, in Dota 2 matches, ten heroes are drafted from a pool of 110+ heroes, allowing for different matchups and hero compositions to be played every game. Different heroes can have favorable matchups against others. The hero dynamics in the game make the drafting stage very important for players to consider.
Many professional Dota 2 players consider the drafting stage to be 50% of the game, clearly emphasizing its importance. Many Dota 2 fans can use the drafting stage on professional matches to decide which team gonna win based on which of them has the better draft. Not only does the drafting stage make Dota 2 easier to make predictions, but it also allows diverse gameplay that prevents repetitiveness and keeps fans entertained for every Dota 2 match.
Mechanical Skill
Dota 2 is known for its strategic requirement, but players will also need top-tier mechanical skills to be at the very peak of the Dota 2 world. Last hitting, reaction time, and camera control are a few examples that players must practice to perfection. However, the requirements don't end there, as mechanical skills demand more from a player than just those.
Lots of plays and team fights in Dota 2 matches will require players to make split-second decisions and be able to click the appropriate buttons right after processing their next move. There are also many Dota 2 spells that are "skill shots," where players must calculate enemy movements and aim at precise locations to land their spells.
These factors demand excellent mechanical skills, and watching professional players pull off these plays is highly entertaining. Regular players get humbled when professionals execute fights to perfection, and these sorts of plays make Dota 2 scores incredibly enjoyable to watch.
Comeback Mechanics
With Dota 2 being out for a long time, the game's developers have figured out some of the best comeback mechanics in a MOBA game and implemented them into Dota 2. Having balanced comeback mechanics can be very important for the viewing experience, as witnessing teams pull off remarkable comebacks can give viewers a thrill and adrenaline and leave them wanting to watch more.
In Dota 2 matches, the most notable comeback mechanic is the "buyback," where any dead player can pay a sum of gold to respawn back to life immediately. The cost of a player's buyback will vary depending on how much net worth their hero holds. A well-timed buyback can turn a gloomy fight around and change the Dota 2 scores. The buyback mechanic is one of the greatest features Dota 2 offers that cannot be found in other matches, and its purpose has allowed some of the greatest Dota 2 live score comebacks in history.
Team-Oriented Items
Another reason why Dota 2 can be very exciting is the availability of team-oriented items. Items such as Glimmer Cape, Force Staff, Lotus Orb, and more can help turn fights around, as players can use these items to save and reposition teammates in danger.
These items define Dota 2 as a team game, and it's always amazing to see when team-oriented items are used effectively by professional players in tense situations. Being able to help allies constantly can make team fights very intense and exciting, enhancing the viewing and gaming experience for team fights in Dota 2.
Witnessing the synergy between professional teammates and their ability to communicate efficiently in chaotic situations always makes Dota 2 matches very interesting to spectate. We get to see the synchronized execution of spells and spell combos thanks to these team items, making it incredibly inspiring for casual fans to get into the mood.
Evolution Of The Meta
The final and most important reason why Dota 2 remains one of the most compelling esports games is that the meta constantly evolves and changes.
Dota 2 frequently releases "patches," which are essentially gameplay updates that buff and nerf certain heroes. With heroes being buffed and nerfed occasionally, the meta is constantly changing, as some heroes that receive buffs can thrive and will likely get nerfed in the next patch.
Not only is the meta changing due to buffs and nerfs, but over Dota 2's long history, professional players have gotten smarter every year. These players continue to figure out new things, abuse them, and develop a new meta. For example, people have started stealing the enemy creep wave in unfavorable lane matchups.
It's always exciting to see new heroes become relevant and overplayed ones getting nerfed to the ground. These patches ensure that fans see different heroes to keep the matches entertaining and force players to get out of their comfort zone and try out new heroes.
Conclusion
Dota 2 matches are not only fun to play but very exciting to watch as well. Despite being much older than other popular esports titles, Dota 2 has always remained one of the most relevant competitive games with a functional esports scene. Not only do professional Dota players have to have raw mechanical skills, but teams need a good draft, a balance of team-oriented items, a great understanding of the current meta, and an understanding of how to play from behind. All these factors ensure that Dota 2 matches are entertaining and highly competitive.
