The cybersport industry has been filling up with games for many years. However, only the best of them have left in the market and still earn the fans’ choice. Dota 2 is a game like this. In this article, you can find a list of the best Dota 2 players and read the most exclusive and interesting facts about them. Check the significant esports news to stay tuned for the industry’s updates.
A multiplayer online world of Dota 2 is huge cyberspace where people can fit the appearance of warriors, magicians, mysterious characters, and much more. The online battle arena was developed by Valve, an American video game developer, in 2013. The foundation for Dota 2 was Defense of the Ancients (DotA), which was created by the mod community for Blizzard Entertainment’s Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.
The development process of one of the greatest games in the world started in 2009 with the Valve company hiring a lead designer of Defense4 of the Ancients IceFrog.
Dota 2 gameplay
In the game, two participating teams of five players, each of them has their own territory on the map. The main purpose is to protect the base from the opponent team. Each of 10 players fits any character with special characteristics, style of play, appearance, and story.
During the match, players earn their experience points and items by fighting the opponents. One of these teams becomes the winner after destroying another team’s “Ancient”, a structure on the base.
There are three Dota 2 operating systems:
- Microsoft Windows;
- OS X;
- Linux.
Since the first launching, Dota 2 has added a lot of items, maps, and game modes. Players can get them from Steam, a digital distribution platform. Nowadays, the Dota 2 universe is loved by millions of fans around the world. Currently, fans are able not just to play this game, but also buy comic books, clothes collections, and movies, which are based on the Dota 2 world. It helps to find more hidden facts.
Dota 2 has become one of the most played games on Steam and the greatest video game in the cybersport industry, one of the most popular sports in the world.
Monthly number of active gamers of Dota 2
The Dota 2 tournaments
Since the significant popularity of the game among people of different ages and from many countries, it was decided to hold international tournaments where teams could win incredible money prizes.
Dota 2 started its activity in the esports industry in 2011, holding the first events to attract new gamers and those who were playing Defense of the Ancients.
Later the event named the International becomes annual. And since 2013, the International has had a prize fund, which consists of money from gamers’ buying battle pass Compendium and loot boxes to improve the character or add some bonuses to the gameplay.
25% from buying Compendium is going to the prize fund, and in 2013 it became the biggest sum in the history of the esports industry ($2.8 million). Each year after that, the prize fund becomes bigger. The International 2021 had a $40 million prize fund.
The tournaments winners list
| Year | Champion team | The prize |
| 2011 | Natus Vincere (Ukraine) | $1.6 million |
| 2012 | Invictus Gaming (China) | $1.6 million |
| 2013 | Alliance (Sweden) | $2.8 million |
| 2014 | Newbee (China) | $10.9 million |
| 2015 | Evil Geniuses (US) | $18.4 million |
| 2016 | Wings Gaming (China) | $20.7 million |
| 2017 | Team Liquid (EU) | $24.7 million |
| 2018 | OG (EU) | $25.5 million |
| 2019 | OG (EU) | $34.3 million |
| 2021 | Team Spirit (Russia) | $40 million |
During all these years, gamers from different countries were showing their skills. They have taken many titles, which will mark them as the greatest gamers of the esports industry. Dota 2 is a strategic game where all the purposes ask the maximum brain work during the match. Their genius brains led them to win millions of dollars. That’s why the best players of all time deserve to be known by as many people as possible.
Dota 2 stars
GBC Time prepared the article, which will tell you the most interesting facts about the best Dota 2 players, their paths, and their secrets.
Dendi
Danil “Dendi” Ishutin becomes one of the very first popular Dota 2 players. Despite the fact that his career started long ago, he is still one of the favorite gamers by the fans. Dendi was called the most charismatic gamer of all time.
His strategical skills, incredible ability to make decisions in a moment, fast fingers led him and his team Natus Vincere (NAVIA) to the victory at the first International in 2011. His distinctive feature was unfair to go for YOLO plays, which made him an unforgettable Dota 2 champion.
He participated at two next TIs of 2012 and 2013. Despite, those years didn’t bring his team victories, the NAVI’s game style became unpredictable for opponents and a favorite for fans.
Dendi’s membership in NAVI from 2010 to 2018 ended up with significant results and victories. Nowadays, he is a member of the B8 team, which was founded by himself. Dendi is also an active streamer, and probably a big part of his earnings comes from Twitch.
His personality was reopened even more in the documentary “Free to Play” movie, which is dedicated to the greatest Dota 2 players.
Kuroky
Kuro “Kuroky” Takhasomi is the most secretive gamer who preferred to stay away from the public and media attention for 10 years of his professional career. But it didn’t stop fans from being interested in his style, personality, and gaming career.
His success started in 2013 when he was membered to the NAVI team. He was playing as a NAVI teammate until 2014 when they played to the TI3 Grand Finals. His career ladder went up and Kuroky founded his own team named “Team Liquid”.
In the documentary “True Sight” series fans could finally see his strategy, which led his team to the victory at TI7 with a $10.8 million prize fund.
Despite, a long-term esports career Kuroty still attends each of the Internationals. He became an integral part of the Dota 2 world.
Puppey
Clement “Puppey” Ivanov has proved the influence of hard work on success. His results left a significant and huge impression not only on Dota 2 development but on the esports industry as well.
His first victory came at the International 2011, the very first tournament, with the membership in Natus Vincere. From 2012 to 2013, he held a NAVI capital position, which led the team to the Grand Finals both times.
In 2014, Puppey decided to start his own path at the Dota 2 scene founding the team named “Team Secret”. For the next six years, he was holding a leadership position, which brought $10.7 million to the team.
The main distinctive feature of Puppey is leadership skills. During his career, he changed many teams and he always could adapt to the unique temperament and find the best way to manage team spirit.
He has also made history by holding the biggest number of titles in the industry. He became one of the best Dota 2 players of all time holding 51 titles in several teams. His success is proof of the confidence and determination, which Puppey possesses.
N0tail
Johan “N0tail” Sundstein started his cybersport career playing Heroes of Newerth and later in 2021 his interest in Dota 2 led him to this game arena. Fans noticed him in the Fnatic.EU team and remembered him for his experience of literate ability to play as a teammate.
From 2015 to 2016 N0tail as part of the OG team won four out of five Valve Majors tournaments, which was a huge result for any player. But later he could surprise the whole industry with victories in several TI (2018 and 2019). Currently, OG is the only team, which has won more than one TI.
Thanks to these victories, N0tail became the highest-paid esports athlete in the world ($6.8 million) and at the age of 25, he was published in Forbes 30 under 30 category. He still plays for OG and participates in the tournaments.
PPD
Peter “PPD” Dager showed up in the Dota 2 world in 2013, later than the majority of the current professional players. But his strong leadership skills caused his captain position in the NA giants Evil Geniuses after just three months.
In 2015, PPD led his team EG to the victory at TI. Peter was trying to get all the best not only for the team but for the Dota 2 community as well. He is one of the most active players who stands up for the players’ rights and fairness of the competition.
Currently, he is the greatest Dota 2 player from North America. Since 2018, PPD has been playing for Ninjas in Pyjamas and achieving new goals in the esports industry.
Xiao8
Zhang “Xiao8” Ning is the player, who has left the legendary mark in Dota 2 history and currently isn’t active. Zhang doesn’t participate in the tournaments anymore, but his nickname “The Director” is a reminder of the achieved goals for all Chinese Dota 2 players.
In 2012, Xiao8 led LGD Gaming to the top-3 teams at TI2. And later, Newbee won at TI4 with a $10.9 million prize. Since that time, Zhang was trying to retire but was always back.
Currently, he is a coach of PSG.LGD. He helps the players to use strategic skills to get a victory and become the next generation of the best Dota 2 players ever.
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