Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about Dota 2.
What is Dota 2?
Dota 2 is Valve's free-to-play 5v5 MOBA on Steam with more than 120 playable heroes, deep itemization, and a ranked ladder from Herald to Immortal. Two teams of five pick heroes across five positions and fight to destroy the enemy Ancient.
Is Dota 2 free to play?
Yes. Dota 2 is completely free on Steam and every hero is unlocked from day one. Only cosmetic items cost money, and none of them affect gameplay balance.
Which Dota 2 heroes are best for beginners?
Wraith King, Ogre Magi, and Lion top the list — simple point-and-click kits that stay relevant at every rank. See our best beginner heroes guide for a full list of ten by role.
How does Dota 2 ranked work?
Ranked unlocks at experience level 20. Calibration matches place you in a medal from Herald to Immortal based on your MMR, and every ranked game moves that number by about 25 points. Behavior score decides who you play with.
What is the current Dota 2 patch?
As of August 2026 the live balance patch is 7.41d. Balance updates ship every few weeks — check the in-client patch notes, and our hero tier list is updated after every patch.