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Waypoint · The Arena

Dota 2: a first evening that doesn't hurt

Two hours, one hero, no ranked queue. This route gets you through the confusing part with your confidence intact.

Official Dota 2 key art of heroes gathered on the map

  1. Install and let it finish

    The download is around 45 GB. Start it before dinner, not after. Log in with a Steam account you already use.

  2. Do the whole tutorial

    It is about half an hour and it explains last hits, towers and the shop in the right order. Skip nothing.

  3. Pick one straightforward hero and stay with them

    Wraith King, Sniper, Lion or Dragon Knight are forgiving. Play the same hero for the whole evening so that you learn the map rather than a new set of buttons every match.

  4. Two bot matches before any real one

    Co-op versus bots at Easy is where you learn what a lane is. Buy the items the game suggests and don't worry about it.

  5. Then the new-player queue

    Your first real matches are against other newcomers with a limited hero pool. Mute anyone rude immediately; it is a button, not a defeat.

  6. Stop after one loss in a row

    Losing twice in a row while tired teaches nothing. Come back tomorrow.

Before you go

  • Turn on 'Quick cast' later, not tonight.
  • The map in the bottom corner is more important than the middle of the screen; glance at it every few seconds.
  • Nobody expects you to know the heroes. Hover over an enemy to read their abilities during the match.
  • Your Steam Wallet can stay empty for the entire life of the game.

Read the full Dota 2 chart entry for the bearings, the toll and who it suits.