How to Surrender in Dota 2

In Dota 2, it’s common etiquette to try your best until your throne explodes. Still, there are moments when calling “GG” seems like the smarter, time-saving choice. In this article, you’ll learn how to surrender, when it’s permitted, and why a coordinated one can save sanity. 

How to Surrender in Dota 2

Unlike other games, Dota 2 doesn’t use a big “Concede” button. Instead, surrendering is a chat action – and it’s actually quite simple. 

To trigger a surrender in Dota 2, you can either type in a chat message or issue a chat wheel command.

To surrender using a chat message, here’s what you need to do:

• Open all chat by holding Shift + Enter.
• Type in “GG” or “Good Game” and send the message. 

Alternatively, you can also surrender using your chat wheel. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Before you enter a game, set the “Good Game” or “Good Game, Well Played” line into your chat wheel in the Settings section. Make sure it’s the one being sent to all chat. 
• Hold your Y button and move your cursor towards the message, then let go. 

Using either method initiates a surrender, and once that happens, a 10-second surrender timer appears for everyone on the team. Any teammate can cancel the surrender by clicking the button. 

If nobody cancels, the team’s throne will explode, and the other side immediately wins. If someone cancels, no one can see who pressed it. 

When Can You Surrender in Dota 2?

Though initiating the surrender sounds pretty easy, surrendering in Dota 2 can only be done in certain circumstances. Here is when you can issue the command:

Surrender in Private Lobby

Private lobbies, or tournament lobbies, are generally where players can surrender. In such lobbies, players can call “GG” at any time once the game has begun. This is why you often see some professional players throw in the towel earlier than expected, with the throne exploding seconds after someone types it in. 

Surrender in Ranked Matches

The surrender option only works in ranked matches when all five players on a team are queued together. On top of the requirement for a five-stack, “GG” can only be called after 30 minutes of in-game time. 

If you’re solo, duo, or trio, you can’t surrender a game by tapping out. The logic here is to prevent solo-queued players from forcing early concessions and to preserve Dota’s identity of playing until the end. 

This means you are not allowed to call a surrender in an unranked match or a ranked game that doesn’t involve you playing in a five-man party. 

Why Should You Surrender?

In Dota 2, most players play the game until the enemy destroys the throne. There’s always a sliver of hope in pulling off a monumental comeback, and if it happens, it’s the best feeling ever. However, the main reason why teams surrender is to save time. Dota games can easily run 40 to 60 minutes, and if your entire team agrees the game is 100% lost, you can fully send it for one last teamfight and tap out if you lose. 

Other reasons may include real-life interrupts, if maybe one of your guys has to hop off due to something that came up. Even some of the best professional Dota players even agree that surrendering early is beneficial for tilt management and a mental reset. Getting stomped isn’t fun anymore, and losing focus can bleed into the next game.