The Best DOTA 2 Fantasy Sites

Since DOTA 2 was released in 2013, the game has grown to become one of the most popular gaming franchises of all time. It has since developed a passionate audience, with many proving their knowledge of the game through fantasy DOTA competitions. In this guide, we have recommended a top DOTA 2 DFS site, shared information about the esport, and offered some rostering tips.

DraftKings: The Premier DOTA 2 Fantasy App

In our opinion, DraftKings is the number one online platform to compete in DOTA 2 daily fantasy competitions. The esport has been offered for DFS since 2015, which is the same year that the operator began to offer fantasy drafting for esports. Now, players can enjoy the same features for competitions as those offered by traditional sports.

You will be able to create your own competitions to play with friends or choose from many different contest types. There are two primary modes for DOTA 2 DFS, including the Classic Mode and Showdown Mode. There are large cash prizes to win, and you can even play free contests. We’ve described the platform in further detail below.

Classic Mode

DOTA 2 Classic Mode is the standard mode to play for this esport. To compete, you will need to draft a team from a player pool within a salary cap of $50,000. Players will be priced according to their recent and historical stats, and DraftKings will supply these player breakdowns to help inform your picks. 

There are specific lineup requirements for your roster, with one player required to be assigned as the Captain. While this player will cost more to promote, they will earn 1.5 times the fantasy points. It’s important to understand the scoring systems before you draft, so we’ve outlined these below.

Fantasy Points DOTA 2 Scoresheet

Participants will earn points based on the real-life performances of their chosen players and teams. You will also earn boosted points for your Captain. The score sheet for DOTA 2 fantasy points is as follows:

Players:

• Kills +3 Pts
• Assists +2 Pts
• Deaths -1 Pt
• Last Hits +0.02 Pts
• Denies +0.02 Pts
• 20+ K/A Bonus +2 Pts
• Win in Under 25 Minutes Bonus +15 Pts Total Score

Teams:

• Towers +1 Pt
• Barracks +1 Pt
• Roshans +3 Pts
• First Bloods +2 Pts
• Minimum Tower Bonus – Varies
• Wins +2 Pts

Lineup Requirements

You must draft a lineup of seven players with a maximum of four players deriving from any one team in a matchup. Teams will count towards the four-player maximum. The lineup must therefore consist of players from at least two teams from two different games. You will need to assign one Captain, three core positions, two support positions, and one team.

Showdown Mode

The DOTA 2 Showdown Mode is similar to Classic Mode because you will need to draft your teams within the same salary cap limit. The player pools will also be the same, as will the scoresheet from the DOTA 2 fantasy points guide. The primary difference is that the lineup requirements are varied. 

Lineup Requirements

You must draft a roster of four players when playing Showdown mode. This will need to include two Captains and two FLEX positions. Therefore, this game mode is better for those looking for more flexibility and simplicity. Players must be drafted from at least two teams.

Contest Variations

When you begin to play DOTA 2 fantasy, you’ll have the option to play a Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) Contest or Cash Game. In GPP contests, players are guaranteed to win the prize pool, no matter if the contest fills. For this reason, the entry fees can be higher, though the prize will be larger.

In Cash Games, the prize pool is dependent on the participants in the contest. The prizes tend to be smaller, though the top half of the scorers will win a share of the prize. Popular modes such as 50/50 and Head-to-Head contests will pay out with this format. On most eSports DFS apps you can play daily contests, season-long contests, and free contests.

DraftKings Welcome Bonus

All new players at DraftKings are entitled to claim a welcome bonus as long as they have never opened an account with the site below. For example, a recent offer awarded a 20% deposit match up to $500. These are awarded in DK Dollars, which is the site’s bonus currency. There is a minimum deposit requirement of $5.

These funds do not equate to real money. Rather, you must convert your DK Dollars into real money by playing with your cash. For every $25 that is used to enter competitions, you’ll convert $1 into withdrawable real money. You will have 90 days to fulfill the wagering requirements before they expire.

Other DraftKings Features

DraftKings is the most popular online sportsbook in the USA as well as being the top daily fantasy sports provider. This means that if you’re in a state where sports betting is legal and DraftKings is licensed, you’ll be able to enjoy these betting features through your same fantasy DFS account.

Depending on your location, you may even be able to place pre-match and live sports bets on DOTA 2 games. We recommend you revise these odds as these are a useful indicator of how bookmakers expect games to go. DraftKings also provides online casino games in several states where online casino gaming is legal.

Availability and Legality of DraftKings Fantasy

DraftKings is legal in 44 states, which means that most adults in the USA will be able to play fantasy DOTA. The only states that DraftKings does not accept customers in are Idaho, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. These states have outlawed the activity due to being an unregulated game of chance.

In legal states, the activity is either considered a game of skill or has been regulated as a gambling game. The minimum gameplay age for fantasy DOTA 2 depends on where you’re located, and it will be between 18 and 21 years old. DraftKings is licensed in nearly 30 states, which indicates that it is highly trustworthy and fair.

Highlights and Summary of DraftKings

If you’re looking for a top operator to play DOTA 2 fantasy, DraftKings is by far the best option. Thanks to its strong relationship with sports leagues, it provides accurate data to help inform your picks. There are plenty of contest modes and a huge user base, which ensures that you’ll always be able to find the ideal competition for your budget and skill level.

About DOTA 2 Esports 

DOTA 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena game from Valve. Since its launch in 2013, a large pool of professional DOTA 2 players has grown across the world. A typical competitive DOTA 2 teams consists of five players that have been assigned a specific role, whether it be as a carry, a midlaner, an offlaner, or a support role. 

There are several major leagues and tournaments held for the game, including those that are located in the USA and international leagues. There are both major and minor tournaments, with huge prize pools up for grabs. The sport attracts huge spectator numbers, especially when streamed online.

Major Events and Tournaments

The most prestigious tournament for DOTA 2 is called The International, which is organized by the game’s developer, Valve. It is held annually and includes the best teams from around the world competing for a prize of $1.6 million. Other major events are a part of the Dota Pro Circuit league system.

Here, there a major and minor league teams. Players earn points that will go toward competing in The International tournament. Other major events and tournaments include the the ESL One, the MDL, the ONE Esports Dota 2 World Pro Invitational, and the EPIC League. When drafting, it will likely be from Pro Circuit league games.

Top-Ranked DOTA Pro Circuit Teams

It’s important to understand which teams have historically performed well when playing fantasy DOTA. The most successful teams of all time in the DOTA Pro Circuit in regards to winnings include OG, Team Liquid, LGD Gaming, Team Secret, Vici Gaming, Shopify Rebellion, Virtus Pro, Knights, NoPing Esports, and TNC Predator. These teams will regularly be ranked in the top 10.

Tips for Drafting Your DOTA 2 Roster

An integral part of this DOTA 2 fantasy guide is to provide you with some helpful tips to help you roster your DFS teams. Firstly, it’s important to understand the value of research. You will need to have a strong understanding of player roles and functions so you can check their relevant statistics.

This knowledge will also help you to draft a roster of players from varying character pools, as these will have an impact on scoring ability. The coherency of a team is also incredibly important to your ability to score as this game is particularly reliant on collaboration and strong communication.

Unlike many other games, DOTA 2 is continuously evolving, with characters routinely being patched to be buffed or nerfed. These can have a huge impact on players’ performances and, therefore, your ability to score DOTA 2 fantasy points. Check these character updates as well as previous team matchups and rivalries as these can be a great indicator of how a team will perform too.

Helpful DOTA 2 Fantasy Strategies

As you play fantasy challenge DOTA 2, you will gradually improve your ability to manage your salary. This is an instrumental skill to consistently successful performances, as you will want to use as much of your money as possible. Maintain a balance of high-priced reliable point-scorers and underpriced up-and-comers.

Continue to check illness and injury reports as well as stand-ins, as you can not earn points for a chosen player who does not compete. Be sure to update your roster accordingly. Stay up to date with tournament trends and watch games regularly to gauge top performers and how players are responding to patches.

Resources

Before you choose your fantasy DOTA teams, there are plenty of helpful resources available. You can head to the website of the DOTA 2 Pro Circuit for up-to-date statistics and event information, or use a DOTA 2 fantasy tracker to develop your teams. Read pundit blogs and check out forums to see how others are drafting, and check online gaming news websites for other insights.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you didn’t have time to read this whole guide and are simply on the lookout for fast answers to your queries about DOTA 2, keep reading. In the following sections, we’ve addressed some commonly asked questions about the top website for fantasy DOTA 2, the legality of the activity, and much more.