6. Paragon
The Best MOBAs, Ranked
Epic Games, Gears of War and Unreal Tournament developer, set out to make a more action-oriented MOBA with Paragon. The game, beautifully made with the company’s Unreal Engine 4, looks like a third-person shooter, but features the teamwork and strategy of a MOBA.
Another difference between this and others in the genre is its card system, which allows players to equip a deck of items and upgrades before the match starts. It is more accessible for new players than sifting through an in-game store to buy items during a match. Paragon sits at the bottom of the list because while it has the potential to be great, it is in open beta with no scheduled release date and gameplay systems can change.
Paragon is currently free to play for PlayStation 4 and PC.
5. Battlerite
The Best MOBAs, Ranked
Although Battlerite is the newest multiplayer online battle arena entry on this list, releasing just last September, it quickly reached the top of Steam’s top sellers list and received user reviews ranging from Very to Overwhelmingly Positive. Developer Sunlock Studios was surprised as well, but had learned a few lessons from the studio’s past game, Bloodline Champions, released in 2011.
Considered a spiritual successor, Battlerite offers fast-paced 2v2 and 3v3 combat with matches averaging 10 to 15 minutes. The game’s lasting popularity will be tested in the esports scene with its first official tournament at the end of this February. The tournament has a $10,000 prize pool and is in partnership with Twitch, which could expose more viewers to this MOBA. Though the game is in Early Access, it is developed enough to be tournament-ready and should not be long before an official release.
Battlerite is currently in Steam Early Access for $19.99, but includes access to all present and future champions. The game will become free to play when it launches at a later date.
4. Heroes of the Storm
The Best MOBAs, Ranked
Blizzard’s foray into the MOBA combines most of the company’s franchises in one game, including characters from World of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft, and Overwatch. Released in 2015, it is ironic for Blizzard to enter the crowded MOBA space so late, considering the genre was born from a Warcraft III mod.
Heroes of the Storm is more casual than other MOBAs on PC, with no gold, items, or individual experience levels. Instead, the team has a shared experience bar and leveling up unlocks talents for each member. The game can be very divisive when compared to other MOBAs, but is a good starter for those new to the genre because it strips out most of the complexity and features familiar Blizzard characters.
Heroes of the Storm is free to play, but heroes must be unlocked through in-game currency or real money.
3. SMITE
The Best MOBAs, Ranked
SMITE offers a different perspective on MOBAs, quite literally, with the third person camera instead of a top-down view. The game can be played with a controller and offers direct character control because it is available on consoles. For those without a decent PC gaming rig, it’s a great option.
The game follows the traditional structure of the genre, but players have to aim their attacks rather than setting a target with a few clicks. Every battle is more action-oriented, and teamwork becomes an absolute necessity because players cannot see the entire battlefield. It earns the third spot here through smooth gameplay, friendly UI, and broad accessibility.
SMITE is free to play on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. Gods can be unlocked using real money or in-game currency.
2. League of Legends
The Best MOBAs, Ranked
League of Legends started with the formula of Defense of the Ancients and simplified it without dumbing it down. It was also notable for being a free to play game emerging at the time when second-rate MMOs started to transition from monthly subscriptions to that model.
The game also showed that MOBAs could become viable in esports through tournaments with million dollar prize pools. Now, other companies are paying top dollar to stream LoL games, as millions of players log in each month and League of Legends consistently hogs the top spot of Twitch streams. It is consistently updated with new content and patches, and winning hour-long games can feel immensely rewarding.
League of Legends is free to play, though champions must be unlocked either with earned in-game currency or real money.
1. Dota 2
The Best MOBAs, Ranked
Dota 2 refreshed the gameplay of its original incarnation with new graphics, more modes, and changes that made it easy to watch as a spectator sport. Valve is also not afraid to change up the decade old formula with big, surprise updates to keep it fresh.
The biggest reason why Dota 2 is number one on this list, in addition to its tight gameplay and huge esports following, is that all aspects of gameplay are completely free. All heroes are unlocked from the start, unlike other games where there’s a pass to buy all heroes or a scheduled rotation of free ones. In a game featuring over a hundred playable characters, this means there will be plenty of variety and very few monetary commitments. Dota 2 is a great way to jump into the MOBA world.
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