While I can't speak for LOL, having never played it, and from what I have heard have no desire to I would strongly recommend you try Dota 2 out. As has been said its very passively monetized so you have access to the entire experience from the start. While as has been said there is a high skill ceiling in Dota2, matchmaking will ensure you are matched with players on your level. While there are members in the community who are unpleasant or speak exclusively Russian on an English speaking server, neither are as wide spread as some seem to portray it.
Good MOBA to start with
- Thread starter Maximum Bert
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Dunno, I started LoL again because that's what most of my friends play. I think that's the most important factor as well: take one where you know a few people.
The biggest frustration with any of those games though (I played Dota and smite in the past) is the fact that people are frekking dickheads. I freely admit that I suck, but that's because I haven't spent a lot of time learning those games yet.
I've had a lot of fun playing the games with friends but have quit every time because I don't feel like being cussed at and having 102094084 little 10 year old dickheads (who probably suck as much as I do) talk shit at me for an entire gaming session.
It's not that I can't deal with it, it's just tiring after a while.
The biggest frustration with any of those games though (I played Dota and smite in the past) is the fact that people are frekking dickheads. I freely admit that I suck, but that's because I haven't spent a lot of time learning those games yet.
I've had a lot of fun playing the games with friends but have quit every time because I don't feel like being cussed at and having 102094084 little 10 year old dickheads (who probably suck as much as I do) talk shit at me for an entire gaming session.
It's not that I can't deal with it, it's just tiring after a while.
Whatever one you get into first is likely the one you'll stick with because of the time investment needed to not suck at these games.
So just pick up Dota 2 because mechanically it's the most challenging, advanced and rewarding.
So just pick up Dota 2 because mechanically it's the most challenging, advanced and rewarding.
I'd say Dota 2 hands down.
It is the most balanced and mechanically competent of the more popular ARTS's out today.
League of Legends, being a very simplified version of the concept, might be easier to start with, but it will force you to start learning all over again if you want to move on to a more complex game in the genre.
The learning curve of the genre has always been steep, as it is so different from besically anything else, so expect to play badly and make mistakes for a long time, if you don't have any friends already playing, who can teach you.
Just don't let it get you down, because mastering for example Dota2 is one of the more rewarding experiences I've had in a multiplayer game.
EDIT: And yes, the community of these games will always be completely Toxic, feel free to use the mute button freely and often. The reason that these games foster such horrible communities I guess stem from the fact that the way the games internal economy works, having a bad 5th player is much worse than having no 5th player at all. Again, don't let it get you down, just try and learn from your mistakes.
It is the most balanced and mechanically competent of the more popular ARTS's out today.
League of Legends, being a very simplified version of the concept, might be easier to start with, but it will force you to start learning all over again if you want to move on to a more complex game in the genre.
The learning curve of the genre has always been steep, as it is so different from besically anything else, so expect to play badly and make mistakes for a long time, if you don't have any friends already playing, who can teach you.
Just don't let it get you down, because mastering for example Dota2 is one of the more rewarding experiences I've had in a multiplayer game.
EDIT: And yes, the community of these games will always be completely Toxic, feel free to use the mute button freely and often. The reason that these games foster such horrible communities I guess stem from the fact that the way the games internal economy works, having a bad 5th player is much worse than having no 5th player at all. Again, don't let it get you down, just try and learn from your mistakes.
Some of my friends have told me that League of Legends is easier to get into/learn than DotA 2, but I'd recommend one of those and/or Smite.
I actually play Smite (every now and then) and I really like it (when you don't meet five gods that all have a stun ability so that if one gets you, you're dead) but I don't really know what it'd be like for a new player because I started playing it when the beta launched and 'back then' there were only a total of like 15-18 gods (if I recall correctly).
But I'd recommend playing one (or those) that your friends would also like to play, because playing with your friends is more fun and decreases the chance that you end up with an asshole who rages at everyone over nothing =P
I actually play Smite (every now and then) and I really like it (when you don't meet five gods that all have a stun ability so that if one gets you, you're dead) but I don't really know what it'd be like for a new player because I started playing it when the beta launched and 'back then' there were only a total of like 15-18 gods (if I recall correctly).
But I'd recommend playing one (or those) that your friends would also like to play, because playing with your friends is more fun and decreases the chance that you end up with an asshole who rages at everyone over nothing =P
Didnt expect all these responses. Lots of things to think about and thanks to DoPo for offering to help me out I fear you may regret that if I take you up on the offer 
I am going to ask around and see if any friends would be willing to play LOL, DOTA2, Smite or any really as I know atm no one does. I have one friend who tried LOL and hated it but thats not surprising as he does not like competitive games I really dont know why he even tried it personally but then again he does have a lot of free time.
Thanks again everyone and if anyone has anymore suggestions and / or experience with different titles let me and potentially anyone else who is interested know about it.
I am going to ask around and see if any friends would be willing to play LOL, DOTA2, Smite or any really as I know atm no one does. I have one friend who tried LOL and hated it but thats not surprising as he does not like competitive games I really dont know why he even tried it personally but then again he does have a lot of free time.
Thanks again everyone and if anyone has anymore suggestions and / or experience with different titles let me and potentially anyone else who is interested know about it.
No, it is not worth playing any of these without friends. Even your friends will turn into the biggest freaking douchebags the world has ever known while playing with them, so you can imagine how strangers on the internet will behave. If you must insist on giving it a shot, I'd go with Dota 2 for a couple reasons. First, as you're just planning on dipping your toes in the genre before you move on to Blizzard's dealie and the dead thing, all of the characters are free. You can pick up and play any of them until you find a few you really like. Secondly, it's just hands down better in terms of mechanics. People may argue, but learning on Dota first is like learning to drive stick first. You can always moved down to automatic transmissions far easier than moving up from them.Maximum Bert said:
As far as how to play for dummies goes, the single largest error you see from completely new players is they run up to the enemy creeps and just start auto attacking them. You'll spend most of the early game at the place where the minions run into each other and start fighting. This can be anywhere between your further tower and theirs in the same lane. Creeps, if left alone, are perfectly matched, so it stands to reason that if you attack more than your opponents, your creeps will win and they'll push the creep line closer to their tower. Closer to their tower is unsafe for you and safer for them, you want to be closer to your tower, so this is why you only attack the creeps just as they're about to die so you can get paid for em. TLDR- don't auto attack their minions the whole time, just try to land the killing blow. This can take time to learn and varies from champ to champ so don't get frustrated, just keep at it. It will come to you eventually. As far as anything else goes, read up on as many basic guides as you can before jumping in. This is a genre where, if you insist on playing, you're best off starting by researching a little.
I am in no way a pro of MOBA's, but I hope my advice will help you out.
So, The first thing for you to do is to download both games and try their trial/training modes and then decide which one you feel like being "your thing". You won't get the full experience (like, I dunno, PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE) but it will give you a basic understanding of games' mechanics and will allow you to understand which one you like playing more.
But if you would like to read an opinion of another person, then:
I prefer DOTA2 to LoL. It has:
-More appealing (for me) design and selection of characters;
-Greater speed (not the of match time itself, but of attack animations, effects and stuff);
-Supports seem to be of greater use;
-Higher difficulty, but also greater satisfaction from victory.
-All characters avaliable from the start. But if you DO want to limit your selection, then pick Single Draft mode, where everyone can pick from one Strength, one Agility and one Intelligence character (or all random mode).
So, pick whichever you want, but if you do pick DOTA2 as your main MOBA, for the sake of everything holy, DO NOT play Invoker and Meepo untill you get enough experience, because those guys are HARD to play.
So, The first thing for you to do is to download both games and try their trial/training modes and then decide which one you feel like being "your thing". You won't get the full experience (like, I dunno, PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE) but it will give you a basic understanding of games' mechanics and will allow you to understand which one you like playing more.
But if you would like to read an opinion of another person, then:
I prefer DOTA2 to LoL. It has:
-More appealing (for me) design and selection of characters;
-Greater speed (not the of match time itself, but of attack animations, effects and stuff);
-Supports seem to be of greater use;
-Higher difficulty, but also greater satisfaction from victory.
-All characters avaliable from the start. But if you DO want to limit your selection, then pick Single Draft mode, where everyone can pick from one Strength, one Agility and one Intelligence character (or all random mode).
So, pick whichever you want, but if you do pick DOTA2 as your main MOBA, for the sake of everything holy, DO NOT play Invoker and Meepo untill you get enough experience, because those guys are HARD to play.
I think LoL is a good place to start to be honest. It's free, so no investment needs to be made.
There is a lot of expected knowledge from the get-go, but this is true in any MOBA, but to be honest the worst thing that can come from playing badly is someone flaming at you and you potentially losing the game... but 'so what?', I say. You've got to start somewhere and you will do stupid things, but the learning curve is very high early on and you will get a lot of the concepts involved pretty easily/quickly.
Also the matchmaking system should try to balance things out to some extent - it isn't perfect, but how can it be - so this will limit some of the early on damage you will cause.
There is a lot of expected knowledge from the get-go, but this is true in any MOBA, but to be honest the worst thing that can come from playing badly is someone flaming at you and you potentially losing the game... but 'so what?', I say. You've got to start somewhere and you will do stupid things, but the learning curve is very high early on and you will get a lot of the concepts involved pretty easily/quickly.
Also the matchmaking system should try to balance things out to some extent - it isn't perfect, but how can it be - so this will limit some of the early on damage you will cause.
League was my first MOBA and I would have to suggest it as a first as well. I know I may get shit for this, but the fact that a majoirty of champs are locked up is to your benefit. First DOTA2 game I played, I was overwhelmed by all of the champs. I ended up picking Tiny and getting my ass kicked. This is coming from a guy who plays LoL daily.
Some tips, if you pick LoL. Play bot matches until you find a champion you are comfortable with. They have several champs you can unlock after ten or so games. I would suggest Garen, Ashe, or Annie as good starting champs. Then once you feel comfortable playing that champ, play with real people. And hope you're not going against a smurf.
Some tips, if you pick LoL. Play bot matches until you find a champion you are comfortable with. They have several champs you can unlock after ten or so games. I would suggest Garen, Ashe, or Annie as good starting champs. Then once you feel comfortable playing that champ, play with real people. And hope you're not going against a smurf.
There's a "limited hero" pool mode in dota where it allows only the simplest/easy to play and understand heroes, you should be playing there to start with if you get overwhelmed by hero complexity seeing as not only will you only have easy to play heroes, the enemy will have exactly the same pool so it's not imbalanced by what people have unlocked.Elfgore said:
With LoL you're still getting 10 "random" champs free every week, and they could be hard ones to play or not.
Locking champs up is not a benefit, it's a gindy hindrance to learning how to counter the champs heroes play once you get to the point of knowing the basics. Not that anyone in LoL is particularly hard to play anyway as you can only control one unit at a time other than telling short lived things like Annie's Tibbers to move/attack, only one of your units have abilities in LoL (along with other reasons).