What is Turbo Mode in Dota?

We all know Dota 2 is one of the sweatiest and complex games to learn. The competitive landscape and potential toxicity of a ranked match can scare away new or returning players who aren’t trying to get flamed. 

That’s where Turbo Mode comes in. This Dota 2 game mode is designed for faster and unranked matches, letting casual players enjoy the game without the high-stakes pressure of a typical ranked game. It’s perfect for practicing new heroes or playing after a long day of work. Here’s everything you need to know about Dota 2’s Turbo Mode. 

What is Turbo Mode in Dota 2?

As its name suggests, Turbo Mode in Dota 2 is a shorter version of regular gameplay. The match has the same rules as All Pick, but matches are intentionally sped up to let players enjoy the game without long match durations.

In your average ranked match, you’d expect to spend 40+ minutes per game, with some extending over the hour mark. On the other hand, Turbo Matches are expected to last 20 to 25 minutes, almost halving the duration. 

So, you’re pretty much playing an entire Dota game, for half the time. It’s especially suited for busy players who want to sneak in one or two games into their busy schedules. 

When Was Turbo Mode Released?

Turbo Mode was officially added to Dota 2 on November 6, 2017, as a part of the Dueling Fates update – the same patch that introduced Pangolier and Dark Willow. 

Prior to its release, the community had been begging Valve to release a more accessible and casual way to play Dota. Many were tired of spending close to an hour playing a single game. After Valve released it, Turbo Mode immediately became a hit and has since become one of the most beloved parts of the game. 

How Does Turbo Mode Work? [Turbo vs. Normal Mode]

Turbo Mode gameplay has numerous differences from normal and ranked modes. Here are the main factors to take note of:

Faster Drafting

Upon joining a Turbo game, all hero bans are applied immediately. The picking phase lasts only 30 seconds, and all hero selections are blind. So, you won’t have to wait for players to take turns picking heroes like you typically would have to in a ranked match. 

Increased Gold and Experience Gain

Gold and experience roll in fast in Turbo Mode. All experience gain is doubled, and all sources of gold, such as creep bounties, Hand of Midas, and Bounty Runes, are also doubled. It’s also worth noting that players do not lose any gold on death, so no more panic quick-buying when you’re about to die!

Faster Respawns and Scaling

In Turbo gameplay, heroes respawn 25% faster, so no more two-minute death timers if you die in the late game! Lane creeps are also upgraded at a much faster rate, nine times faster than usual. Mega creeps have doubled HP and damage, too. 

Weaker Towers and Objectives

Turbo doesn’t allow for long, drawn-out matches where teams turtle their buildings, as towers and Dota objectives become much weaker. Towers have significantly lower armor and damage, and the Ancient doesn’t regenerate like it normally would. 

Sped Up Timings

With faster gameplay comes sped up timings. Neutral items begin dropping at the 3:30 mark, dropping twice as fast. Town Portal Scrolls and Boots of Travel have their cooldowns reduced by half. Roshan also respawns twice as fast, and the Aegis of the Immortal expires in four minutes. 

Quality of Life Changes

On top of having everything move faster, Valve has also implemented several quality-of-life changes you’ll love. Couriers deliver your items at the speed of light, and you don’t need to visit the Secret Shop to pick up your relics. But the best part is you can sell your items from anywhere!

Disadvantages of Playing Turbo Mode

While Turbo Mode sounds great for quick matches, it does come with several drawbacks:

Progress is Limited

If you had the genius idea of farming your hero relics and Arcana progression through Turbo Mode, we have some bad news. You only earn half the Dota Plus hero XP, relic stat tracking, and Arcana win credit from Turbo matches. 

Less Effort

The second drawback really depends on what you’re expecting from your teammates. Due to the casual and unranked nature, many don’t take Turbo games too seriously. They might be testing new heroes or going for troll builds, so don’t expect any godlike gameplay. If you’re okay with encountering such players, this really isn’t an issue. 

Turbo Could Form Bad Habits

Finally, Turbo’s many perks can spoil you. With faster gold, respawns, and the numerous quality-of-life additions, many players have a difficult time readjusting to normal Dota pacing afterward. It might feel a little awkward to jump into a ranked match after strictly playing Turbo for a week. 

Why Players Love Turbo Mode

Overall, Turbo Mode has been extremely well-received by the Dota community. We have a lot of players who have grown up, gotten jobs, and even started families. It captures the best parts of Dota, without the stress – you can just hurl your spells at each other without the fear of losing MMR or getting flamed. 

It’s the ultimate “just one more game before bed” experience. You can experiment with weird hero builds, practice your spellcasting, and try something new without having someone scream at you. Even competitive players would slide into a game of Turbo to relax after an exhausting ranked session. 

Is Turbo Dota’s Greatest Game Mode?

Well, this question is up for debate, but there’s no denying its charm. Turbo simply puts players into a game without having to feel the grind and pressure – it’s just bite-sized Dota fun. You can finally see your carry come online in 15 minutes instead of 40, allowing for five-versus-five teamfights to come earlier than usual. 

While you shouldn’t expect the competitive satisfaction of ranked matches, Turbo lies in accessibility. This game mode is contributing to keeping new players around and helping returning ones unwind and de-rust. 

At the end of the day, Turbo is undoubtedly one of the best ways to keep players engaged in the game, especially those who have reached “unc” status.