The Dota 2 professional scene is a rigorous tug of war, with each team aiming for the most celebrated award in all of esports; the mighty Aegis of the Immortal. The best players of Dota, whom we consider masters, have dedicated their lives to this masterpiece of a video game. Dota is extremely different from other competitive games, all thanks to such a high ceiling and constant updates, meaning you can't be the best unless you grind away at the game. To be the absolute cremé de la cremé, you have to be extremely dedicated, skillful, and importantly, consistent.
We bring you the Best 20 Dota 2 Players of all time. These players have cemented their names in the Dota books as the best players in the world. Their high mechanical skill, exceptional gameplay and leadership have earned them a spot on this list.
20. Nisha
The recent Ti winner and the master of the mid-lane, Nisha has built a massive legacy for himself. He is an absolute feast to watch, as it always feels like he is two steps ahead of his opponents. A prodigy who quickly became a household name and a worldwide success. Nisha is quite the star, who shines hard and blinds enemies with his flashy gameplay. He is known for his unpredictable and highly devastating playstyle. He is undoubtedly the prominent reason behind Team Liquid's recent International victory.
Nisha's consistent and excellent performance over the last few years officially grants him the GOAT status. This mid-lane dominance is rarely matched by any other player, as they often get run over due to his wrath. No matter the hero he chooses to play, Nisha always gets the better end of the stick due to his impressive mechanical skills and game knowledge. Nisha is known to prioritize kills and aggression over farming. There is more to come from this young legend as we know that he is aiming for the second Aegis next year!
Major Tournament Achievements
3rd Place - The International 2021 - $3,601,600
1st Place - Riyadh Masters 2023 - $2,500,000
1st Place - The International 2024 - $2,461,033
19. 33
33 is a seasoned Dota veteran, who has proved his worth in many tier 1 teams for over a decade right from Dota 1. His astonishing gameplay and map awareness are unparalleled in the EU region, netting him two Ti wins across two completely different teams! As an offlaner, he loves to play a wide range of heroes that are unique in their own way. Heroes such as the Brewmaster, Dark Seer, and Visage are a specialty of 33 as he excels quite well on micro-centered heroes as they require more skill and efficiency. He also has a penchant for playing complex heroes and making it look easy as he does it!
33 is the only player in the history of Dota to win the International twice on different teams! He is known to build quite unusual items or going unusual skill builds in pro games which are highly situational and need quite the game sense to make it work. His years of combined experience make him a menace to play against even if you’re a highly skilled yet young and inexperienced player.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2022 - $8,518,822
1st Place - The International 2024 - $1,249,445
2nd Place - Riyadh Masters 2024 - $800,000
18. Dendi
Widely regarded as the best player in his era, often called a god of Dota due to his vast contribution to the game, Dendi is a legend. He was on the very first lineup of Navi that competed and won the first-ever Ti back in 2011. Dendi might not be the same as he was in terms of skills back in Navi, but he is quite respected among the pro scene due to his impressive and innovative gameplay.
Dendi’s playstyle is a great treat to watch, as he has years of experience in the mid-lane. He plays often off-meta or nerfed heroes yet makes them work! Dendi’s contribution to the pro scene is undeniably the reason why he still has such a big following. It is safe to say that he qualifies to be the poster boy/face of Dota, all thanks to his gameplay and determination.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2011 - $1,000,000
2nd Place - The International 2013 - $632,364
7th-8th - The International 2014 - $518,889
17. Universe
Saahil “Universe” Arora is one of the most seasoned players from the NA Dota region. Right from his start on team Dignitas to his legendary run on Evil Geniuses, he was always the strongest link. Highly consistent in his gameplay, Universe honed a wide hero pool, he was known to play conventional offlane heroes and even highly unconventional ones like Bane! Universe’s Legendary Echo Slam at the International 2015, cements his name as one of the best plays in the history of the game, ultimately solidifying his place in the Dota history books.
Universe wasn’t an outspoken Dota personality, as he let his skills do the talking. Never being involved in any controversy, he was a community favorite. While Universe enjoys his retired life away from Dota, we take a moment to celebrate his achievements and thank him for making NA Dota bearable to watch!
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2015 - $6,634,661
3rd Place - The International 2016 - $2,180,898
1st Place - Dota 2 Asia Championships 2015 - $1,284,158
16. Iceiceice
The man, the troll, the legend himself, Iceiceice is one of the best players to emerge out of the SEA region. Despite the age-related stigma in esports, Ice continues to play professionally and excels at doing so. He is regarded as one of the last-standing old guards of Dota. Ice is an exceptional player, with in-depth knowledge of the game. He is known to be a silent mastermind while having fun in-game and trolling his opponents every chance he gets!
In 2011, he played StarCraft II, Defense of the Ancients, League of Legends and Heroes of Newerth competitively at the same time. He was once approached by Chinese streaming platforms to stream for huge sums of money as he was once the hot commodity in the pro scene. While he hasn’t won the International, Ice is one of the few players who are widely regarded as one of the best. Don’t forget the 2014 DK lineup!
Major Tournament Achievements
4th - The International 2015 - $1,566,517
5th-6th - The International 2016 - $934,761
4th - The International 2014 - $819,298
15. Ceb
Ceb’s dota journey is quite a rocky one but he has made it far enough to have his name cemented as one of the best players in the game, along with having it as a voice line in the game! Did we also mention that he has won Ti twice? Ceb was always known as a misfit and controversial player in the pro scene but he overcame all his problems to go on and both coach and play in the best dota team in history.
Ceb is a Dota veteran, and along with that, he is an extremely versatile player. In recent times, his Enigma has also gained some notoriety. After winning the International twice, in a row, he aims to win it for the third time, sticking to his roots with the OG roster. We wish good luck to Ceb, one of the flashiest players to ever touch the game.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st - The International 2019 - $15,620,181
1st - The International 2018 - $11,234,158
7th-8th - The International 2021 - $1,000,500
14. S4
Do you remember the million-dollar Dream Coil? We do! Alliance made massive waves in 2013, by being unbeatable throughout the season and eventually winning the International with their dirty rat meta. However, credit where it is due, S4’s Puck was the highlight of the tournament, with flashy plays and quick reactions, he managed to decimate Navi during the final game. His gameplay made him an overnight sensation and is one for the history books.
S4 continued his domination by transitioning to the offlane role on celebrated teams such as EG, Secret, and OG. Known for staying away from controversy and being consistent in the game, S4’s extensive expertise and game knowledge rank him so high up on this list. Winning the International is one thing, but winning two continued Majors among other tournaments makes him a true legend of the game.
Major Tournament Achievements
3rd Place - The International 2018 - $2,680,879
1st Place - The International 2013 - $1,437,190
5th-6th Place - The International 2019 - $1,201,552
13. Yatoro
Yatoro is the second youngest Ti winner. He has also set the record for the most rampages at the Ti mainstage. Known for his versatile hero pool and immense map awareness, Yatoro has quickly become one of the most respected and feared players in the scene. He has achieved recognition as a flashy carry, due to his impressive skill-set and game knowledge, often leading his team to victory. His lane presence is felt significantly by his enemies, making him a dominant carry while also possessing a great understanding of the game’s laning mechanics.
Yatoro’s exceptional mechanical skills and ability to adapt to hard lanes have made him a prominent carry plater, also leading his team to victory at the International, not once but twice! He consistently proves himself as a the key factor to Team Spirit’s victory throughout tournaments. Currently on a hiatus, Yatoro wants to take a moment to reflect and refine his skills, so he can return and look for that “3peat” in next year’s Ti!
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2021 - $18,208,300
1st Place - Riyadh Masters 2023 - $5,000,000
1st Place - The International 2023 - $1,521,362
12. Saksa
A mix of both gentle giant and the dark horse, Martin “Saksa” Sazdov was the key behind Tundra’s domination and win at Ti 2022. His swift and clever plays have received acclaim from fans all over the world. Hailing from Macedonia, Saksa became a household Dota name in just a matter of years. Making the bold and hectic decision of quitting university is no easy feat. Saksa knew what he was capable of. After finding little to no luck in mediocre teams, the American giant DC was able to recruit him a few months before the 6th International.
Following a string of average results, DC managed to qualify for the International through the open qualifiers, with Saksa being credited as the MVP. DC defied the audience’s expectations by defeating teams like Fnatic, and EG, reaching the grand finals of a $20 million tournament. Saksa, again, was credited for DC’s heroic and unimaginable run, even though they fell short to Wings gaming in the finals. Saksa became the most sought-after player in 2016. He is also known for having 3 accounts in the top 10 of the Dota 2 leaderboards. Saksa has reached great heights, quite literally as he is 6’8”.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2022 - $8,518,822
2nd Place - The International 2016 - $3,427,126
7th-8th - The International 2021 - $1,000,500
11. Sumail
King Sumail, one of the best players the game has witnessed, is back in form. Winning the International at age 15 is no easy feat, and neither is staying relevant and consistent through the years after that. Sumail has had a rocky career after he departed from EG, but his new home in Nigma has made him get back to his form. With the star-studded powerhouse, Sumail has managed to find his long-lost love for the game and emerge back as the GOAT. His consistent gameplay and hyper-aggressive playstyle have ranked him so high on the list.
Sumail has switched to a much team fight-oriented yet flashy play style which is reminiscent of his tenure at EG. Nigma has truly awoken the beast. You may have witnessed him slaying enemies left and right, outclassing and outplaying them at the International. Sumail's versatility is also worth mentioning, as he has one of the widest hero pools as a mid-laner. The GOAT is here to stay and annihilate his haters, proving to them that he is not a one-trick pony.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2015 - $6,634,661
3rd Place - The International 2018 - $2,680,879
3rd Place - The International 2016 - $2,180,898
10. Matumbaman
Matumbaman’s immense talent was noticed by KuroKy and the rest is history! You may have seen his occasional banter mixed with high-octane gameplay. Although not very active at the moment, Matumbaman is still widely respected due to his achievements. He is a selfless player, known to shuffle roles, playing both the safe lane and the mid lane. His sacrificial carry playstyle is what helped Liquid win the International in 2017.
Matumbaman’s playstyle is now being imitated by the likes of Skiter and Dyrachyo, however he remains the OG! While he may not be as relevant as he once was, his builds and playstyles are often discussed in forums. Matumbaman is one of the few players on the list who we hope can make a successful comeback into the pro scene.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2017 - $10,862,683
3rd Place - The International 2021 - $3,601,600
4th Place - The International 2018 - $1,787,252
9. Faith_Bian
Chinese Dota’s last hope, the one and only Faith_Bian is one of the few players from the scene to have done the unthinkable! Winning Ti at a very young age did not reduce his hunger to compete and win further tournaments, as he is quite dedicated to the game. Offlane is the primary lane played by Faith_Bian, suiting his hyper-aggressive and temp control playstyle. His threatening aura in-game is quite the opposite of his real-life humble persona.
He is often considered to be one of the most skilled offlaners from the CN region! He is eyeing a second Aegis. While the future for the Chinese pro scene appears to be grim, he could be China’s last hope back to having a stronghold over the game. Faith_Bian’s exceptional skills and dominating gameplay puts him very high on this list of the GOATs.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2016 - $9,139,002
2nd Place - The International 2021 - $5,202,400
1st Place - Riyadh Masters 2022 - $1,500,000
8. Aui_2000
Aui needs no introduction! He has been a consistent player ever since the beginning of his pro-Dota career. His aggressive playstyle on heroes like Mirana and Techies helped EG do wonders at Ti5. He is also the only player to have won the International both as a player and as a coach! Aui is what Team Falcons lacked for the most part, a star coach who can help his team be highly valuable all thanks to his expertise. Aui has been one of the top coaches in the NA region, which garners him tremendous respect and credibility.
Aui's eye for coaching is highly commendable. His unique playstyle is often imitated but never duplicated by any other player in the pro scene. His highly valuable insights make the Falcons look dominant even in games where they might not be performing well individually. He is one of the proper old guards of Dota, his years of experience and relevance solidifies his place as one of the greatest in the game.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2015 - $6,634,661
1st Place - Dota 2 Asia Championships 2015 - $1,284,158
5th-6th - The International 2014 - $655,439
7. Miracle
Even the most casual of dota players know about this famed and respected legend. Miracle has earned the respect and hearts of fans all over the world, this is due to his high-octane and intelligent gameplay. He is also a Ti winner! Hailing from Jordan, Miracle was a well-known pub star, with no intentions of playing professionally until he joined OG. He gained notoriety for his flashy playstyle and versatile hero pool. His highly impressive plays and strategies made him a superstar.
Currently, on Nigma, Miracle is known as this space-making player, as he often loves ganking other lanes and providing ample space for his carry to farm. This does not negate the fact that he is a deadly laner and leaves no stone unturned to outplay his foes and have the upper hand. Together with GH, Miracle aims to win his career’s second Aegis and we wish him the best on his quest.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2017 - $10,862,683
2nd Place - The International 2019 - $4,462,908
4th Place - The International 2018 - $1,787,252
6. Fy
Widely popular for having a strict and calculated way of playing Dota, Fy was a prodigy as he found immense success in the game. You can have a decent understanding of the game, but it does not come close to that of Fy, as he is one of the most seasoned and respected players in the region. Witnessing other players lift the Aegis before you has to be devastating, but this has only increased Fy’s hunger. After two gut-wrenching second-place finishes, we all know that third time is the charm. His flashy yet subtle playstyle suggests that he is an absolute menace on Enigma.
Fy is rarely seen in the pro scene these days, but we have to agree that his legacy in the Chinese Dota scene is unparalleled. His excellent initiating capabilities and gank potential have made him quite a star player. PSG LGD’s early game success is often credited to Fy's quick rotations and initiating skills. They had to take the unfortunate 2nd place at the International, but we hope the high placement will only fuel Fy to come back stronger in the Chinese region.
Major Tournament Achievements
2nd Place - The International 2018 - $4,085,148
3rd Place - The International 2019 - $3,089,706
4th Place - The International 2015 - $1,566,517
5. Topson
Topson is one of the few 2 time Ti winners on the list! He needs no introduction as his skills do the talking for him. Topson is known to be a skilled mid-player and respected and feared by fans and contemporaries worldwide. His two-time Ti-winning feat is unparalleled by any other mid-player. Known for his wide yet unconventional hero pool, he has won various tournaments with the legendary OG lineup.
Before joining OG, Topson was relatively unknown. His career trajectory changed after a few good performances leading to Ti 8. OG shocked the world by winning the Ti, with the MVP being Topson. His mid-lane plays are a sight to witness! He is known to have an aggressive mid-play style and loves to build unconventional, extremely situational items that win him the game. Although Topson has retired from the pro scene, as Dota fans, we expect him to make a comeback in the upcoming years as we want to see more domination from this legend.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2019 - $15,620,181
1st Place - The International 2018 - $11,234,158
7th-8th Place - The International 2021 - $1,000,500
4. Miposhka
Yaroslav “Miposhka” Naideov’s Dota journey had its fair share of ups and downs. Starting at the young age of 16, Miposhka shuffled through various teams, achieving little to no results. His first international appearance was at the age of 19 in 2017, where he captained the young and wild Team Empire. His captaincy proved successful as the team achieved more than expected, ending at the 7th-8th place, and securing $617,000. Miposhka described the following years as very stressful and dark as his stints on other teams did not amount to anything. Being constantly subjected to criticism took a toll on him.
Miposhka gave himself the last chance with Team Spirit (formerly known as Yellow Submarine) with a group of relatively unknown and young players. Their online performance was great under his captaincy. Their Animajor LAN run was also commendable and unexpected. The International qualifiers came around and Miposhka was successful in defeating his old team, Empire after a vicious tug-of-war final, with a reverse sweep. Had Miposhka given up, Team Spirit would not be lifting the Aegis twice. Miposhka’s grit and determination lead the team to the Aegis.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2021 - $18,208,300
1st Place - Riyadh Masters 2023 - $5,000,000
1st Place - The International 2023 - $1,521,362
3. Kuroky
Frequent and harsh criticism can often add fuel to the fire. Kuro “KuroKy” Takhasomi was fed up with the unjust flame he received during his time at Na’Vi and further at Secret. He decided to create his team and get the respect he deserves. Which he did by winning the International 7. KuroKy was widely regarded as one of the best carry players in Europe. His switch to support role came after joining Navi, in 2013. The stint was successful with over 12 1st place finishes! The team was aiming for the ultimate title, the International 3. Their hopes were shattered as they were defeated by team Alliance, clearly the better team at the tournament. This crumbled the house of cards,
Further, KuroKy signed up with team Liquid and created a team with a bunch of pub stars. After a string of mediocre results in 2016, Liquid was able to secure two second-place finishes at Majors. Liquid looked like a completely different beast in 2017, winning tournaments left and right, some without dropping a single game. Their heroic lower bracket run at the 7th International is unparalleled, all due to the determination and captaincy of KuroKy. After years of unneeded flame, KuroKy finally lifted his deserved Aegis.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2017 - $10,862,683
2nd Place - The International 2019 - $4,462,908
4th Place - The International 2018 - $1,787,252
2. Puppey
Clement “Puppey” Ivanov is known to have the Midas touch. Every team that he has captained has achieved a great amount of success. Currently, Puppey is the captain and co-founder of Team Secret. Before Secret, Puppey had a brief and triumphant stint at the CIS giant team Natus Vincere (Navi), where he guided them to victory at the first-ever International in 2011, securing a whopping $1 million first-place prize. With a stunning 8 Major and 3 International finals record, Puppey has managed to cement his name as one of the greatest Dota players of all time.
His leadership and vision have managed to produce and refine great talents like Nisha, MidOne, and many more! He is also responsible for singlehandedly putting Estonia, his home country on the world esports map. Puppey is one of the wealthiest Dota players with reported earnings of $4,336,278 in prize money! Starting his pro career in 2007, Puppey is one of the few remaining old guards of Dota. Puppey is the only player to compete in every single International. Even the fiercest of his rivals have nothing but great respect and admiration for him. If there is one thing that we can learn from Puppey, it is that you’re never too old for something.
Major Tournament Achievements
3rd Place - The International 2021 - $3,601,600
2nd Place - The International 2022 - $2,461,033
4th Place - The International 2019 - $2,059,804
1. Notail
It is the dream of many professional players to lift the Aegis, but not all can achieve that. Johan “Notail” Sundstein did what was deemed undoable by critics and fans, lifting the Aegis twice. Johan is a part of the two-timer elite club, which only has him and his OG teammates in it. Highly energetic and charismatic, Notail is often known as the poster boy of Dota, constantly in the headlines for being the highest-paid esports player, with $7,167,802 in earnings. Notail had a decent run playing carry for teams like Fnatic and Cloud 9 but after a few unsuccessful finishes, he decided to call it quits and moved to the support role in Team Secret.
His stint at Secret had mixed results, prompting his kick from the team. But that did not discourage him from making his team. In late 2015, Notail formed OG, unknown to him of what was about to come. OG was successful in winning four majors, a record that is still unmatched to this date. Though a successful roster, OG felt short at a few Internationals since its inception. After a few controversial roster shuffles, they managed to prove everyone wrong with their Cinderella run in the 8th International and repeating it at the 9th International in 2019.
Major Tournament Achievements
1st Place - The International 2019 - $15,620,181
1st Place - The International 2018 - $11,234,158
1st Place - The Manila Major 2016 - $1,110,000
