Dota 2, the popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game developed by Valve Corporation, has amassed a massive following since its release in 2013. With its exciting gameplay and highly competitive nature, Dota 2 has become a staple in the esports scene, attracting millions of viewers from around the world.

1. “The Play” – The International 2012

The Play is perhaps one of the most iconic moments in Dota 2 history. It took place during the grand finals of The International 2012, where the Chinese team Invictus Gaming (iG) faced off against Natus Vincere (Na’Vi). With Na’Vi attempting to push into iG’s base, the miraculous teamfight ensued, showcasing perfect coordination and individual skill from each member of the team.

Key Moments:

• Na’Vi’s Dendi, playing as Rubick, steals iG’s Ravage ultimate from Tidehunter and uses it to turn the fight in their favor.
• Na’Vi’s Puppey, playing as Chen, uses Hand of God to heal his team, keeping them alive and turning the tide.
• Na’Vi’s LightOfHeaven, playing as Enigma, lands a Black Hole, disabling multiple enemies and securing the team’s victory.

2. “The Million Dollar Dream Coil” – The International 2015

The Million Dollar Dream Coil is another incredible play that took place during the grand finals of The International 2015. Evil Geniuses (EG) faced off against CDEC Gaming in a nail-biting best-of-five series. This play, executed by EG’s Syed “Suma1L” Hassan playing as Puck, would forever be etched in Dota 2 history.

Key Moments:

• Suma1L perfectly positions himself, catching three CDEC Gaming players with his Dream Coil ultimate.
• EG’s Universe, GGBet playing as Faceless Void, lands a Chronosphere, freezing CDEC Gaming’s entire team and preventing them from escaping.
• The combined damage output and control from EG allows them to quickly eliminate their opponents, securing victory and taking home the million-dollar prize.

3. “The Echo Slam” – The International 2016

During the main event of The International 2016, Wings Gaming and Digital Chaos faced off in the lower bracket finals. Wings Gaming’s Faith_bian, playing as Earthshaker, delivered an unforgettable play that left spectators in awe.

Key Moments:

• Wings Gaming’s Blinkz in Faith_bian, lands a perfect Echo Slam, stunning multiple heroes from Digital Chaos and dealing massive damage.
• The combination of Echo Slam and Wings Gaming’s team synergy obliterated the opposing team, securing a decisive victory.
• This play showcased the power of Earthshaker in the right hands and propelled Wings Gaming to win The International 2016.

4. “The Rat Dota” – The International 2018

The style known as “rat Dota” refers to a strategy where a team uses split pushing and backdooring tactics to slowly chip away at the enemy base. During The International 2018, one play exemplified this strategy perfectly.

Key Moments:

• Evil Geniuses’ s4, playing as Nature’s Prophet, avoids team fights and focuses on taking down enemy towers and barracks.
• Using Nature’s Prophet’s teleportation ability, s4 constantly applies pressure on the enemy’s base while his team defends against opposing aggression.
• Evil Geniuses’ relentless backdoor attacks and timely rotations keep their opponents on their toes, eventually securing a victory with the rat Dota strategy.

5. “The Toss” – The International 2019

The International 2019 featured a memorable play that involved Team Secret’s Nisha playing as Tiny.

Key Moments:

• Team Secret’s Nisha, playing as Tiny, uses Tree Grab to snatch an enemy hero and tosses them towards his teammate, instantly eliminating them.
• With exceptional timing and precision, Nisha single-handedly catches out an enemy hero and secures a crucial kill.
• This play demonstrates the skill and quick decision-making required to maximize Tiny’s potential as a high-impact hero.

These memorable plays from various Dota 2 tournaments continue to captivate both players and fans alike. They showcase the incredible skill, teamwork, and strategic thinking necessary to succeed in the highly competitive world of Dota 2 esports. As the game evolves and new tournaments take place, more unforgettable plays are bound to enter the highlight reel.