The original Dota is considered the pioneer of the MOBA genre, having been a mod of Warcraft III at the time. Two decades later, Dota 2 is still one of the best MOBA experiences right now, if you can get through its notorious learning curve.
Deadlock is Valve’s newest IP, and rumour even has it that the legendary IceFrog (lead developer of Dota and Dota 2) is overseeing the project. Because of this connection, the third-person MOBA shooter has so much in common that it’s regarded as Dota’s spiritual successor, translated into another genre.
For this comparison article, it’s essential to examine how Deadlock and Dota 2 share many similar concepts before exploring how they differ across multiple categories for true MOBA enthusiasts.