Top Dota 2 Plays of All Time: Unforgettable Masterclass

Every match in Dota 2 is a story woven with moments of clutch plays, strategic brilliance, and heart-stopping team fights. But some moments transcend the ordinary and march straight into the history books.

These best Dota 2 plays, executed under immense pressure and with unmatched skill, have paved the way for Dota 2 players to become famous and win millions of dollars in prize money.

Today, we delve into the Top Dota 2 Plays that continue to inspire awe even today and will continue to do so in the future.

The Million Dollar Coil

The International 2013

A Clutch Play for the Aegis.

The International 2013 (TI3) Grand Finals remain etched in the memories of Dota 2 fans as one of the most epic clashes ever witnessed. Alliance and NAVI were locked in a nail-biting best-of-five series, pushing each other to the absolute limit.

With the fate of the Aegis of Champions hanging in the balance, a single play from Gustav "s4" Magnusson, known for his incredible gaming prowess, cemented his place in Dota 2 history. s4 unleashed a perfectly timed Million Dollar Coil on Puck that crippled through NAVI’s core heroes, paving the way for Alliance's victory.

This play, named for its immense impact on the game's outcome, is a masterclass in hero positioning, ability timing, and understanding of the flow of battle. It also signifies how Alliance’s fame catapulted to a new level altogether, amassing a fanbase like none other.

The Six Million Dollar Echo Slam

The International 2015

A Play that crushed the Chinese hope.

The International 2015 witnessed another legendary moment that redefined the value of a single play. In the grand finals, Evil Geniuses found themselves in a precarious position against their Chinese rivals, CDEC Gaming.

With the pressure mounting and the score tied, Saahil "Universe" Arora, playing Earthshaker, unleashed a monumental Echo Slam. This perfectly executed ultimate ability, in perfect synchronisation with Peter “PPD” Dager’s Ice Blast, playing Ancient Apparition, devastated CDEC's frontline, registering a catastrophic shift in the game.

The Dota 2 play propelled Evil Geniuses towards their first-ever TI championship. The sheer impact of this play was so significant that it was estimated to be worth a staggering $6,000,000 as EG walked away with millions of dollars in prize money.

Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeb!

The International 2018

A game-changing play that changed OG’s fortunes.

The road to The International 2018 was a turbulent one for OG. The sudden departure of key players like Fly and s4 left a gaping hole in their roster and cast a shadow of doubt over their chances at TI8. However, OG defied the odds, fueled by their unwavering spirit and the hunger to prove the critics wrong.

In a crucial moment during the tournament, Ceb, on Axe, made a game-changing call that showcased his exceptional understanding of having an analytical mind and game awareness, causing rifts through the enemy ranks and single-handedly changing the course of the game.

This legendary Axe play turned the tide of the battle in OG's favour, silencing doubters and ultimately propelling them towards their first TI championship. A Cinderella story which came true earned OG loyal fans around the world.

Ad Finem's Boston Major Miracle

The Boston Major 2016

A courageous manoeuvre!

The Boston Major 2016 will forever be remembered for the incredible display of courage by the underdogs – Ad Finem. Facing the mighty OG in the grand finals, Ad Finem found themselves in a desperate situation.

However, refusing to back down, in a courageous manoeuvre, Verros "MNT" Apostolos made a daring play on Earthshaker. He snuck behind OG's lines and unleashed a devastating "in your face" Echo Slam, thus disrupting OG's rhythm and reigniting hope for Ad Finem.

While OG eventually secured victory, MNT's play became a testament to the never-give-up spirit that defines Dota 2 at its core. The entire sequence was further amplified by the infectious commentary of Owen "ODPixel" Davies. His "OMG-OMG-OMG" scream perfectly captured the raw emotions of the moment and solidified his status as one of the most beloved Dota 2 commentators.

NAVI’s fountain hook takes TongFu to their graves

The International 2013

While NAVI boasts a legacy of incredible Dota 2 plays, one moment that fans fondly remember isn't from The International (TI) grand finals.

NAVI’s iconic mid-laner, Danil “Dendi” Ishutin, put on a Pudge masterclass at TI3 against Tyloo. His series of clutch fountain hooks, a near-impossible feat, in perfect conjunction with Clement “Puppey” Ivanov’s Chen, completely shifted the momentum of the game and cemented Dendi's reputation as one of Dota 2's most creative and skilled players.

To be fair, this particular game goes down in the top Dota 2 plays of all time and is, for better or for worse, a sensitive point of discussion as opinions are variedly split between the community. After all, NAVI did exploit a bug and used it to its advantage.

The Play

The International 2012

"They storm up the river, patience from Zhou, waiting in the wing, Na'Vi's about to be caught. Oh there's the sleep, the surge, he catches everyone!”

NAVI being NAVI and pulling out a ridiculous counter to the dreaded Naga Siren carry. The Ukrainian squad put a stop to the unbeaten Invictus Gaming at a time when the Chinese were exploiting Naga Siren’s abilities and becoming unstoppable.

The commentary in this particular play is as vivid and entertaining as it can get. Give it a look!