The Dota 2 map isn’t as simple as other MOBA titles. It’s a complex and ever-evolving arena packed with unique mechanics, hidden objectives, and strategic depth. From your typical classic elements like the three lanes and Roshan to newer features like Twin Gates, Tormentors, and Wisdom Shrines, every part of the Dota 2 map serves a purpose. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand and navigate the battlefield.
Dota 2 Map Overview
The Dota 2 map is a symmetrical battlefield divided between two factions: the Radiant (bottom-left) and the Dire (top-right). Despite its symmetry, the two sides have slight differences in terms of terrain, jungle layout, and pathing, which creates strategic differences for each team.
Still, the map is composed of three lanes, multiple jungle zones, and various special features and objectives that influence gameplay. The two sides are divided by a river crossing in the middle of the map.
Remember – although hero matchups change from match to match, the map remains constant. That’s why it’s vital for you to understand the ins and outs of the Dota 2 map!
The Three Lanes
Just like any other MOBA game, there are three primary lanes that creep waves march down from: top, middle, and bottom. These lanes are where most of the action takes place.
Each lane has towers that defend the team’s base and must be destroyed to reach the ultimate win condition – the Ancient. Heroes always start the match in these lanes as they progress through the laning stage.
- Top Lane: Radiant’s offlane (hard lane) and Dire’s safe lane (easy lane)
- Middle Lane: The shortest and most direct path between bases. Contest by solo mid heroes due to fast leveling.
- Bottom Lane: Radiant’s safe lane (easy lane) and Dire’s offlane (hard lane)
Each lane in Dota 2 is equipped with:
- Three towers (Tier 1, 2, and 3)
- Melee and ranged barracks near the base
- Creep waves that spawn every 30 seconds
Buildings and Structures
In Dota 2, there are several types of buildings and structures scattered around the map. Teams must destroy the enemy team’s buildings to progress through the match and eventually destroy the Ancient. Let’s take a look at the buildings and structures you can come to expect:
Towers
Each team has four towers per lane on the map:
- Tier 1 Tower: The outermost towers. Tier 1 towers are located very far out of the base and are used in the laning stage.
- Tier 2 Tower: These towers act as the last line of defense outside of a team’s base.
- Tier 3 Tower: The first line of defense on a team’s base. Tier 3 towers are placed on a team’s high ground and protect the Barracks in each lane.
- Tier 4 Tower: The last line of defense. Two Tier 4 towers are located right in front of the Ancient.
Towers provide defense and vision and are crucial for maintaining control of the map. Destroying an enemy tower will grant gold.
Barracks
Each lane is equipped with a set of Barracks: melee and ranged. If a team destroys an enemy team’s Barracks, their creeps in that specific lane will be upgraded to Super Creeps, which are stronger than regular ones.
For example:
- Radiant destroys Dire’s bottom Melee Barracks.
- Radiant’s bottom-lane creeps will be upgraded to Super Creeps.
- If the Dire’s bottom Ranged Barracks were not destroyed, the ranged creeps would not be upgraded yet.
If all six Barracks are taken down (both Barracks in every lane), the team that destroyed them will have Mega Creeps – an upgrade to Super Creeps, which are extremely strong creeps that spawn in every lane.
Ancient
The Ancient is the main structure and the ultimate objective in Dota 2 that must be destroyed to win the game. It is stationary and does not attack enemy units. It can only be attacked if both Tier 4 towers are destroyed.
Outposts
Outposts are harmless structures that are located in each team’s jungle. They can be used as a point of teleportation. If all of a team’s Tier 2 towers are destroyed, the enemy can capture it and use it as a point of teleportation on the enemy’s side.
Fountain
The Fountain is located in the deepest part of a team’s base. It heals players and provides a safe zone. Every time a hero dies, they will respawn in the Fountain area. It is not a building that can be destroyed, and teams do not need to contest it to win the game.
Power Runes and Bounty Runes
Runes spawn at fixed intervals and provide heroes with valuable buffs. Controlling runes can swing momentum by offering gold or combat advantages.
Power Runes
Power Runes spawn in the river at 6 minutes and every 2 minutes afterward. There are two rune spawn locations, one at the top side of the river and one at the bottom side. However, the rune will only randomly spawn in one of the spots.
Power Rune types include Haste, Amplify Damage, Invisibility, Regeneration, Arcane, Shield, and Illusion.
Bounty Runes
As the name suggests, claiming a Bounty Rune will reward heroes and their whole team with gold. The gold amount increases as the game gets later. These runes spawn in each team’s jungle every 4 minutes.
Jungle and Neutral Objectives
The jungle contains neutral creep camps that offer farm. These camps are vital for heroes to collect gold and scale into the game. Roshan also acts as a neutral objective on the map.
Neutral Camps
Neutral camps, also known as jungle camps, are scattered through each side of the team’s jungles. They can be farmed by both teams regardless of which side of the map they’re on, hence the term “neutral.”
There are four types of camps:
- Small Camps
- Medium Camps
- Large Camps
- Ancient Camps
Once cleared, camps will respawn every minute. They can also be stacked to boost farm efficiency.
Roshan and Roshan’s Pit
Roshan is one of Dota 2’s most important objectives. When Roshan is killed, he drops the Aegis of the Immortal, which grants its wielder a second life. He drops more goodies on subsequent deaths, such as Cheese and Refresher’s Shard.
Roshan can only be found in Roshan’s Pit. There are two pits: one at the top river and one at the bottom river. He switches between locations every 5 minutes when the time of day changes (day and night).
Once killed, Roshan will respawn randomly from 8 to 11 minutes. He is a major strategic objective in the mid to late game, so it’s vital to keep track of when he will Respawn and which pit he’ll show up in.
Map Features
Beyond the basics, the map includes unique elements like Wisdom Shrines, Twin Gates, and Tormentors that add depth and new objectives to consider.
Secret Shop
The Secret Shop is a hidden shop located on each side of the map. The shopkeeper sells powerful and expensive artifacts not available in the main shop.
Lotus Pools
Lotus Pools are located beside the top and bottom lanes. They periodically spawn Healing Lotuses, which can be claimed by heroes standing on top of it. Healing Lotuses grant instant healing and mana replenishment, making them vital in the laning stage.
Twin Gates
Twin Gates are portals located at the corner of each map. A hero can teleport to the other side, allowing for quick cross-map movement and surprise plays. For example, going through the top Twin Gate will take you to the bottom Twin Gate.
Wisdom Shrine
Wisdom Shrines are located near each team’s offlane. Every 7 minutes, they provide a burst of experience when activated. However, enemy players can also claim this bonus, so always watch the clock.
Tormentors
A tanky neutral building that spawns at the 20-minute mark. Defeating the Tormentor grants a hero on your team with an Aghanim’s Shard. It randomly rewards it to one of the two heroes on the team with the least net worth.
Watchers
Activatable vision points scattered across the map. When controlled through a short channel, they grant limited-time vision of key areas such as staircases, aiding in map control and warding.
