League of Legends and DOTA 2 have long been at the forefront of the MOBA genre, and their active competitive scenes and constant game mechanics have helped to shape the evolution of Esports as a whole.
However, there is still a long-standing argument over which MOBA game is the best to immerse oneself in: LOL or DOTA2.
It's an easy question to answer, yet it's also very complicated for the following reasons:
A veteran of LOL would undoubtedly choose LOL over DOTA 2, while a current DOTA 2 player would do the same for DOTA 2.
It will be difficult to persuade either group of gamers differently since they will have already accepted the faults of their favorite title simply because they have already immersed themselves in it.
A more impartial approach to evaluating both games' strengths and faults will go a long way for a new player wanting to delve into the realm of MOBA games. On that point, here's a look at a head-to-head look at some important elements of LOL and DOTA 2.
Paywall
Microtransactions are now found in almost all competitive games; they are still a contentious subject, but the gaming community as a whole has come to accept them to some degree.
Some games restrict microtransactions to a minimal minimum to ensure that players don't feel compelled to make payments in order to advance in the game, while others purposefully place a barrier around essential goods - the latter being by far the greatest pet peeve of today's gamers.
Both DOTA 2 and League of Legends feature microtransactions, but LOL's are more apparent since some of the champions available to play in the game are locked behind a barrier.
DOTA 2, on the other hand, offers a fully free roster of heroes to select from, making it a pleasant gaming experience for newcomers who don't want to spend money on characters.
DOTA 2 has a significant advantage over LOL in terms of microtransactions.
Complexity
DOTA 2 has a high learning curve, while League of Legends is very simple to master.
While this may seem to be a drawback for DOTA 2, the game's complexity makes it much more rewarding after you've spent the time learning the game's fundamentals and successfully executing some unique builds and plays.
DOTA 2 features a unique concept known as the counter mechanic, which implies that no matter how powerful any hero is in the game, there is another hero on the roster who is more or less designed to stop them.
This implies that DOTA 2 players, among other things, must have a thorough understanding of the game's roster, which adds an additional layer of expertise to the game.
Community
League of Legends has about 70 million members globally, whereas DOTA 2 has around 43 million, indicating that LOL is clearly the more popular game.
The primary advantage of having a huge player base for the typical consumer is the amount of material you can immerse yourself in outside of the game since the quantity and quality of LOL content much exceed what the DOTA community can muster.
Verdict
For some, the lack of a paywall in DOTA 2 makes it the clear option, while others may consider the game's mechanics while deciding which is the superior game.
DOTA 2 has a high learning curve, while League of Legends is very simple to master.
While this may seem to be a drawback for DOTA 2, the game's complexity makes it much more rewarding after you've spent the time learning the game's fundamentals and successfully executing some unique builds and plays.
DOTA 2 features a unique concept known as the counter mechanic, which implies that no matter how powerful any hero is in the game, there is another hero on the roster who is more or less designed to stop them.
You may learn more about counter mechanisms by watching our lecture on how to select the appropriate counter using N0tail – The Draft.
Overall, DOTA 2 players must have a thorough understanding of the game's roster, among other things, bringing a new level of talent to the game.
To summarise, a player who enjoys slow and complicated gameplay would choose DOTA 2, while a player who enjoys quicker gameplay and simpler mechanics will prefer League of Legends.
It's all a matter of personal taste.