Dota 2 vs Mobile Legends: Bang Bang: PC strategy or mobile dynamism?

Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang are two of the biggest names in the MOBA genre. Those looking for an alternative to League of Legends need not look much further than these two, and there’s a reason why these titles have earned their immense followings.

Both have grown into esports giants offering millions of dollars as prizes. While both are standard as MOBAs go, there are key differences players should look out for when picking the best one for them.

Bearing that in mind, we’re looking at the Dota 2 vs Mobile Legends: Bang Bang debate and scoring them out of 10 to see which emerges victorious.

On paper, Dota 2 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang are very similar. Both are top-down, 5v5, team-based MOBAs where positioning is critical. Still, the way these titles approach the traditional MOBA format is very different.

Dota 2 is as traditional a MOBA experience as one could ask for. It can be slow, tactical, and methodical, and it requires deep knowledge of the game, given the years of legacy skill current players possess. Dota 2 is time-consuming, but if you’re looking for depth, look no further.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is a mobile game, and while Dota’s complex nature suits PC, MLBB’s faster pace and more straightforward gameplay match the wants of mobile players perfectly. It is far more accessible, while Dota 2 is famous for its steep learning curve.

There’s more to Dota 2, and thus more to learn. This formula has kept players addicted for well over a decade, and the series is responsible for the success of the MOBA genre today. While MLBB is the better option for newcomers, especially on mobile, it suffers from the simplicity of both its platform and its design approach, though it is still one of the best MOBAs on mobile.

Dota 2 score: 8/10
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang score: 6/10

Both Dota 2 and Mobile Legends have massive character rosters, the norm for many MOBAs. Dota has 126 heroes while Mobile Legends has 130. MLBB having more characters is impressive, considering Dota 2’s three-year head start and its origins as a Warcraft 3 mod back in 2003.

From a mechanical standpoint, the Dota 2 heroes are more complex. The simplicity of MLBB’s characters makes them easier to understand, although having such simplicity with a character roster that large can be a bit of a hindrance in terms of variety. It does make it easier to identify the best MLBB characters, as there isn’t as much complexity in the matchups.

On the other hand, the complexity of Dota 2’s cast makes learning the game more daunting. This is reflected in their aesthetics, with Dota’s darker, while MLBB characters are often brighter and more vibrant.

Dota 2 score: 7/10
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang score: 6/10  

It’s difficult to compare the two games’ player counts directly, given that Dota 2 reports daily concurrent player counts on Steam, while MLBB uses less precise monthly data. Mobile Legends had 27.6 million in September 2025 (Active Player) while Dota 2 managed roughly 18 million in the same period (calculated using SteamDB).

While this would ordinarily be an open-and-shut victory for Mobile Legends, Dota 2 is the better-known title and is famous for starting the entire genre, making this contest closer than the stats would have you believe. Still, you can’t argue with the stats, and MLBB benefits massively from being on mobile devices.

Dota 2 score: 8/10
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang score: 9/10 

While MLBB offers a decent number of alternative game modes, from Custom to Magic Chess, its overall simplicity makes it suffer compared to Dota 2. Dota 2 knows it is complicated and offers a handful of game modes to help newcomers ease into the game.

New player mode is perfect for making Dota 2 more accessible, while Turbo Mode is perfect for those who don’t want to wait until the end of time to finish a match. There’s an all-random deathmatch mode, a mid-lane only mode, and plenty of adjustments to normal play to try out. It’s an easy victory here for Dota 2.

Dota 2 score: 9/10
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang score: 6/10 

While both games occasionally add new characters, Dota 2’s last addition (Kez) was in December 2024, while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang’s was in September 2025 with Obsidia. While both games are updated frequently, from little tweaks to major updates, MLBB enjoys new characters more regularly.

When comparing Mobile Legends vs Dota 2 in terms of developer support, MLBB clearly comes out on top, even though Valve has continued to do a great job with its MOBA.

Dota 2 score: 7/10
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang score: 9/10  

When comparing MLBB and Dota 2, their respective esports scenes need to be taken into account. When it comes to MOBAs and their esports, only League of Legends has an argument for something superior.

Both are exceptional, and those seeking to climb the Mobile Legends or Dota 2 ranks have an excellent tournament scene to look up to, with both having millions of dollars up for grabs. While both are beyond exceptional, Dota 2 still holds the record for the highest-ever prize pool in esports history, with The International in 2021. 

That gives Dota 2 a slight edge, although you would be hard-pressed to find healthier esports scenes than in these two MOBAs.

Dota 2 score: 9/10
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang score: 8/10 

When tallying the scores, Dota 2 walks away with the lead at 48 points compared to MLBB’s 44. Dota 2 benefits from its greater complexity, more ways to play, deeper cast, and a slightly stronger, record-breaking esports scene.

Conversely, Mobile Legends suffers and benefits from being on mobile devices simultaneously. Mobile devices have given MLBB a massive audience, and its simplicity has made it easier to add to. This simplicity has also meant there is less depth in the game than in Dota 2.

Ultimately, Dota 2 is the superior MOBA for veteran MOBA players, while MLBB is more approachable and the better option for those who want to try the genre without spending too long in a single match. While both are MOBAs, they will appeal to different kinds of players.