Fans of both Dota 2 and League of Legends have long argued over which is the superior MOBA. While they may never answer that question, there are certainly different things each game brings to the table. Looking at this information can help players decide which one they like better for themselves. So, what is the difference between Dota and League?
The Bigger Picture
Of course, it’s not exactly as simple as pointing out one thing. There are many nuances to both games that create distinct experiences. But on a large scale, the main difference between Dota and League becomes apparent. While Dota 2 is primarily a game of macro play, League of Legends is a game of micro play.
There’s a lot to unpack here, of course. The first thing that contributes to these different focuses is how each game designs its characters. Dota heroes can have wildly different abilities, and even the amount of abilities differ greatly from hero to hero. While Wraith King has two activated spells, Invoker has ten. Conversely, League of Legends characters almost all follow the same structure. They have one passive ability, three active abilities, and an active Ultimate. The only champions that break this formula are the old ones like Vayne and Jax. These were made before League really found its identity, and feel somewhat similar to Dota heroes.
[Related: What a Hero Truly Needs: 10 Dota 2 Tips For Beginners]
Neck and Neck
This is not to say that Dota has better characters. League of Legends champions are typically far more intricate and mechanically complex than Dota heroes. In League, much more of a player’s role in a game is determined by their character choice. This along with other factors decided pre-game, such as Runes and Summoner Spells, give League games a distinct feel. Players tend to become more invested in specific builds and champions, practicing with them specifically.
Meanwhile, Dota heroes feel more like game pieces, merely one part of a player’s plan. Nothing except a player’s choice of character is determined pre-game, leaving much more room for experimentation and adaptation. The choice of character in Dota is much less representative of a player’s identity than in League. A League player may invest many hours into mastering one character. Conversely, a Dota player may invest more time in their own general skills rather than specializing in one role.
The Long and Short of It
League of Legends also gives players more options from the beginning of the game. While Dota’s TP Scrolls need to be bought, League’s Teleport does not. This leads to a closer focus on fast-paced and fine details. In Dota, however, players begin a game with fewer options but have the ability to accumulate many more. While League’s Teleport is free, it is also on a long cooldown. Dota’s TP Scrolls, on the other hand, have a much lower cooldown. This means that overall, players teleport more in Dota, with most of it happening later in the game. Many similarly important abilities are also tied to items. Thus, Dota players end up having to focus more on their build than their moment-to-moment gameplay.
Patience is Key
One other seemingly minute difference that can have a big impact is Dota’s lack of a surrender button. This isn’t inherently better or worse than League though. Yes, it can lead to some amazing comebacks. But it can also lead to drawn-out matches with foregone conclusions. This is reflective of the differences in pace between the two games. League is faster-paced, with shorter matches, while Dota is the opposite. Games of League rarely go beyond 40 minutes, while Dota matches can often last an hour or more.
While the two games do share much of the same DNA, there are undeniable differences between them. They offer two similar but distinct gameplay experiences that may or may not appeal to different players.
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