[NDG.Stitch]

Hey guys,

As I said earlier, I just recieved my DotA Beta Key yesterday night and of course as a huge fan of DotA I mass-played tonight. But there are a few things that I like and don't like about the new DotA...

First of all, if you guys have played LoL, you'll find the gameplay and mechanics of DotA to be uber similar. The shop is exactly the same format as the LoL shop, and the attack movements and buttons/healthbars are almost the same. I'd say the speed of the game and flow of the game is also very very similar to LoL. This is one of the parts that I DON'T like about about the new DotA. I think it resembles too much from LoL. Not that I think this is a bad idea, in general for e-Sports it will be easier for professional LoL players to make a switch to DotA in the near future, but I am one of those die-hard WC3 DotA players.

Secondly, we go to the issue of the interface. Of course, the interface is a bit tweaked from Blizzard's Warcraft. Most of the things are the same, except now you have a "Stash" area where you can have your ideal items set there to purchase when you have the money. No longer will your spells be on the right hand box, but it will be in the center, and instead, your items will be horizontally categorized on the right hand box. These interfaces were a bit confusing at first, but it was pretty easy to use in the end.

Thirdly, and probably most importantly is what I think about the new faces and looks of heroes. Many DotA 1 players complained that the spell-casting was too slow in WC3 and that it should be increased so the gameplay is more intense. I think in DotA 2, this was certainly done. The cast-times are similar to LoL. Some of the casts I noticed that basically got a lot faster was ES's stun, Lich's Nova, and CM's Frostbite (of course there is a lot more). In general, I find the DotA heroes basically the same as LoL heroes. I really don't like the new comic and child like characters as they are really hard to get used to off seeing regular DotA characters. I think what really made me disappointed was how the new Pudge, Juggernaut, and Riki looks. These new faces are of course somewhat similar to the WC3 version, but it felt like it was a bit off. Pudge lost his huge fatness from the hero in WC3 and Juggernaut's blade got like 2x thinner and smaller. The new animations for spells also depends on your taste. For me, I thought that really, the fire and the frost animations got a lot better. But I don't like the new looks for spells like Riki's Cloud, and Pudge's Rot. I think these new animations just don't resemble the specialty of that hero from WC3.

Finally, what I love about this new DotA is there is instead of those "Observer" spots in WC3, it is now specifically reserved for "Broadcasters" in Private Matches. This is absolutely amazing, although I haven't tried it, I'll be looking forward to be casting DotA in the near future as well. There is also the chance to watch games that are happening at the moment (high tier) which I think should've been implemented to Starcraft a while ago!!!

Anyways for those of you guys that are still waiting for DotA, don't be too unhappy. It's really laggy and for me, it's barely playable even on the SEA/Chinese server!

Hope you guys found this a bit... helpful? :P

Signin out.

Quick Comments

	nirvAnA:
	ZergGirl:

[TARane]

great review, i agree with everything you said. it is still kinda of hard to get used to the new animations (like i never know when i get dusted).I think the sound is way more developed (sniper's ass. sounds so legit )
sorry to hear that lag is a problem although it shouldn't really be :\?

[Prototype]

Good review on Dota 2! i managed to get my hands on one...as i myself is a big fan of Dota 2.

when it comes to Dota game, teamwork and pretty much micro is essential. so when i was playing it i look into the minor details that i think is a game changer.

the Pudge hook, is very hard to get used to... as the pixel is not really that precise compared to WC3.

also the one thing that is REALLY annoying, (speaking from someone who has not played LoL)
is the precision.

i dont think i can really talk as i am only diamond in SC2 XD, its still REALLY hard to target the hero at certain situation (im sure this is not just myself). Selecting hero to target, or creep block at the start of the game... is about twice as hard as how it was in WC3 and also to time hits. i like how it was clear and obvious to see what hero or what creep is shown in WC3. but with Dota 2, its a lot harder.. esp to see the diff between a hero and the creeps!

[cruxBsK]

Thanks for the write up, I've been playing LoL a bit recently and just yesterday had a look at HoN and i have to actually say LoL IMO was alot better.

Dota2 looks awesome waiting for my key to arrive! :P

[inFeZa]

Just dont become a leslie.