The best custom games in Dota 2

Custom games in Dota 2 are player-created game modes developed using the Workshop Tools. These unique modes allow players to explore gameplay beyond the standard Dota 2 experience, offering something entirely new. Custom games range from modified versions of the classic game to entirely new genres with unique mechanics.

The best custom games in Dota 2

Overthrow 3.0

Overthrow is a fast and dynamic mode where several players or teams fight each other in a small arena. The first to reach a set number of kills wins. Great for warming up or training, as it is based on the mechanics of classic Dota 2.

Available modes:

• Necropolis FFA: 8 teams of 1 player each.
• Gardens Duo: 5 teams of 2 players.
• Jungle Quintet: 3 teams of 5 players.
• Desert Octet: 3 teams of 8 players.

Dota Auto Chess

Dota Auto Chess is one of the most famous custom games, sparking the entire "auto-battler" genre and inspiring games like Teamfight Tactics, Dota Underlords, Chess Rush, the standalone Auto Chess, and the Battlegrounds mode in Hearthstone. Players draft heroes, place them on the board, and watch as they automatically battle.

The main features of the genre:

• Each unit has its own characteristics, classes, and races. Combining certain units activates synergies that strengthen the army.
• Once units are placed on the field, the player is not directly involved in the battle. Characters fight independently using their abilities.
• Players earn gold for wins and losses, as well as for a series of wins or losses. Gold is spent on buying new units, improving existing units (by combining three identical units into a more powerful one), and upgrading the available pool of units.
• The units on offer are randomly generated, making each game unique. Being able to adapt to the situation is the key to success.

Dota 1x6

Dota 1x6 is a mode for those who are tired of the team-based component of Dota 2. Here everyone plays for himself and everything depends only on your skills. Dota 1x6 does not deviate from the original Dota 2, but there are 28 new talents for each hero. 7 for each ability.  Some mechanics and items from Dota 1x6 have even been incorporated into standard Dota 2.

Dota 1x6 game rules:

• Each player has their own tower. Once it is destroyed, the player is out of the game.
• Every 2-3 minutes your tower will be attacked by creeps. With each new wave, they will be stronger.
• When not defending your tower, players can farm neutral creeps, kill other heroes and try to destroy their towers.
• There are 4 types of enhancement spheres in the game. They contain a choice of 3 talents for your hero. The harder it is to obtain the sphere, the stronger the talents in it. The spheres are obtained by killing creeps and heroes.
• When there are 2 players left in the game, a final duel is announced.
• The winner will be determined by a duel in the Bo3 format.

World of Dota

World of Dota is a game in which each hero from Dota 2 has three talent trees, similar to World of Warcraft. The game features four modes: Rating, Rating Duo, Overthrow, and Arena.

• Rating: Seven heroes fight in six sky arenas, following Battle Royale rules. After each round, the two weakest heroes duel, with the loser eliminated. This continues until two heroes remain for a best-of-three final duel. The last hero standing wins.
• Rating Duo: Similar to Rating but with four teams of two heroes.
• Overthrow: Eight heroes battle on a new map inspired by the classic Overthrow. The center offers more gold and experience but requires constant fighting for control. The player with the most kills wins.
• Arena: 1–3 heroes face creeps and bosses on a legendary arena, aiming to progress as far as possible. There are no duels or eliminations. The winners are those who survive the most waves.

Custom Hero Chaos

Custom Hero Chaos is similar to Dota 2’s Ability Draft mode, where players build a hero with unique abilities. However, in CHC, abilities can be swapped during the game. Players not only fight each other but also defend against waves of creeps. The last player standing wins. Players must find synergy between abilities and items to dominate duels and defend against mobs effectively.

Tower Defense

In Dota 2, there are many custom games in the Tower Defense genre. The most popular ones are Element TD, Legion TD and Song of Hero: Wu Kong.

The main features of the genre:

• The goal of the game is to prevent enemies from reaching a certain point on the map (most often it is the player's base). The level ends if all waves of enemies are destroyed or the player's base is destroyed.
• The player places towers or other defensive objects on the map to attack enemies. Each tower has its own features: damage, attack range, attack speed and sometimes additional effects (slow, stun, etc.).
• Enemies move along a certain route. They can vary in speed, strength, and abilities. Waves of enemies become more difficult with each level.
• The player receives resources which can be spent on building new towers, improving existing ones or using special skills.
• The player needs to choose the strategy and tower placement depending on the map, enemy type and difficulty level.

Training Polygon

Training Polygon is designed for practicing various gameplay mechanics, from basic last-hitting to advanced ability dodging. It incorporates other popular custom games like Skillshot Wars, Invokation and Lasthit Trainer.

Available modes:

• Abilities dodging
• Training of abilities timing
• Training of Glimpse evasion
• Armlet toggle training
• Invoker training
• Skillshots training
• Other Stuff
• Lasthit training
• Challenges

Read more about Training Polygon here.

How to play custom games in Dota 2:

• In the Dota 2 main menu, go to the "Arcade" tab.
• Choose a custom game, click "Install," and start playing. Installed games will appear in your "Library."
• If you want to play with friends, create a group and join the lobby, or create your own lobby and invite them.

It's worth noting that most custom games have a ranking system, which increases competitive interest and makes them a great alternative to Dota 2 itself. Additionally, the Arcade includes custom games based on past Dota 2 events, like Aghanim’s Labyrinth or Siltbreaker.