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I do love Dota 2 [Steam], in fact I was completely addicted to it some time ago clocking hundreds of hours into it. This update might pull me back in, as I like the sound of what they're doing to improve the experience.

One thing did always sour the experience, which was the community when you're not playing with friends. They seem to be making some more steps towards cleaning it up. Now, persistent bad behaviour can result in a six month ban from matchmaking. A good step, because some people are incredibly toxic. However, it's a free game so there's not a lot stopping them making another Steam account, although I imagine it will be enough to make some people rethink their attitude.

On top of that, your actual selected language will now play more of a role in matchmaking. I hope they mean that too, because being put into a group full of people who don't speak you language, was something that also ruined a fair amount of games for me.

With those two changes alone, it might make the experience quite a lot better.

There's also a handy new trainer included to help those of you struggling to get gold, they've put in a "last hit" trainer (you get gold if you hit creeps last when they die) that can be played anytime you want, even while queuing for a game.

For those of you who enjoy the custom game modes, you will be pleased to know that they now use dedicated servers to improve performance. Not only that, but custom game developers can also opt-in to have penalties for players who who abandon or fail to ready up, giving them a cool-down.

There's a huge amount more to this update, you can see the release notes here. If you've played it since this patch, do tell us how the experience is for you now!

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
Tags: Free Game, MOBA, Steam
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morbius Feb 2, 2018
I used to be hooked on HoN, it was basically DotA 2 before DotA 2. Fun game, but difficult, time consuming and nerve wrecking. And unfortunately, I was never very good at it, I just don't have the reflexes of today's young cyborgs.
Zelox Feb 2, 2018
Well technically Dota 2 isnt free. Or maybe I should say Steam. Because to have a Steam account Im pretty sure you have to buy a game and activate it along with the new Steam account.
I also think the game have to be worth 10$ or more to be able to do this. It isnt a very expensiv cost and Im not sure this will keep griefers or trolls away.
Metallinatus Feb 2, 2018
Hmmmm, I think you only need to buy a game to be allowed to use Steam Market and other community features, right? I am SURE I didn't need to buy anything to create my account in late 2012....
Phlebiac Feb 3, 2018
Quoting: MetallinatusI am SURE I didn't need to buy anything to create my account in late 2012....

Same here, although it may have been a year or so later for me (I don't recall).
UltraAltesBrot Feb 3, 2018
Quoting: ZeloxWell technically Dota 2 isnt free. Or maybe I should say Steam. Because to have a Steam account Im pretty sure you have to buy a game and activate it along with the new Steam account.
I also think the game have to be worth 10$ or more to be able to do this. It isnt a very expensiv cost and Im not sure this will keep griefers or trolls away.

Only some community features are restricted, but you can play F2P games just like everyone else. See here.
Ranked matchmaking requires a phone number, though.
Afterall, Dota 2 is entirely free to play.
Liam Dawe Feb 3, 2018
FYI, today I found a way to get Dota 2 to launch on your primary monitor if you use more than one. It's a little buried in a closed issue on Valve's github tracker. It took me a good half an hour to find the fix too, quite annoying.

Add:
-phased_window_create
As a launch option, and make sure your game is set to "Desktop-friendly fullscreen" in the "Display Mode" drop-down in Dota 2 settings.
oldrocker99 Feb 3, 2018
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I tried to play DOTA, got stuck in the second tutorial, and found how to play it on YouTube with the with narration by a 10 year old kid.:O

Nope.:><:
khalismur Feb 3, 2018
Quoting: oldrocker99I tried to play DOTA, got stuck in the second tutorial, and found how to play it on YouTube with the with narration by a 10 year old kid.:O

Nope.:><:
Yeah it's not for the faint hearted. Probably one of the if not the most complex game around..
Asu Feb 3, 2018
it's on linux so I always wanted to get into this game but I so miss the single player campaigns from these games...
AciD Feb 4, 2018
Quoting: bgh251f2I still can't will myself to play any MOBA. There's simple no easy way to start, it is too complicated for a beginner and almost every tutorial about it makes the game seem a boring mess.
Awesomenauts is a free (wasn't free to play before) MOBA that is _very_ accessible to newcomers.
It's 2D, fun, pretty easy to get into, while still hard to master, and the good thing is the matchmaking does match people with approximately the same skill level (so as a noob, you only encounter noobs).

Try it ;)
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