How Many Dota Heroes Are There?

Dota 2 is known for being one of the most complex games in all of esports, and a massive part of that depth comes from the sheer number of heroes you can choose from. Every match starts with a drafting stage, and every hero in the game interacts differently with others. How many Dota heroes there are changes as Valve releases new heroes into the game and they do so semi frequently.

So… how many Dota heroes are there exactly?

As of 2025, there are 126 heroes in Dota 2.

Every hero in the game is free to play. You unlock the entire roster without having to spend a dime or grind for in-game credits. And though this number might sound a little overwhelming, it’s primarily the reason for Dota’s charm. Some heroes are great for beginners, while others should be limited to skilled players. 

This is the reason why a surprising number of players have the sanity to continue playing after they’ve hit the 10,000-hour mark. It’s extremely rare to see the same ten heroes being played in the same game, so no matter how many games you’ve recorded, there will always be a new draft or combination of heroes to try out. 

Heroes in Dota 2

Dota 2’s lineup of heroes is divided into four attribute categories. Back then, heroes were only grouped into Strength, Agility, and Intelligence, but in 2023, Valve introduced a new category called Universal. 

As of 2025, here’s the complete list of Dota heroes divided into their respective attributes:

• 35 Strength heroes
• 34 Agility heroes
• 34 Intelligence heroes
• 23 Universal heroes

Aside from Universal heroes, this spread really shows how varied the game really is. Even with this many heroes, Valve manages to keep hero identities distinct while still keeping flexibility. 

Dota 2 Hero Releases Throughout the Years

In Dota 2’s initial launch in 2013, the game had 102 heroes. Since then, Valve has been consistently releasing new batches of heroes every year. 

Here’s the history of hero releases by year:

By the end of 2024, the hero count officially reached 126, with Kez being the most recent addition to the lineup. 

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen a new release in 2025 yet, with the year almost ending. Unless Dota fans get a Christmas miracle, it’ll be the first time in the game’s history that a whole year might pass without a new character. 

Why Hero Count Matters in Dota 2

Though a list of 126 heroes might seem daunting for new players looking to get into Dota 2, it’s actually what makes Dota so endlessly strategic. Valve has done a great job in releasing frequent patches, where heroes get buffed, nerfed, or completely reworked. 

With balance changes, a single talent adjustment can push a forgotten carry back into the meta, while item reworks can completely revive heroes that were previously unplayable. You can bet that every hero in the game has been considered “broken” at some point – meaning every single character has had a moment where they were among the most contested picks. 

That constant rise and fall is what keeps Dota so fresh, and it’s why players keep coming back year after year.