A Beginner's Guide to using MMR Double Down Tokens in Dota 2

The ranked matchmaking in Dota 2 is a place where many brave souls go to test their luck. It's also a place for aspiring players to satisfy their competitive desire to win matches and climb the Dota 2 MMR ladder. For those who want to climb the MMR ladder faster, Valve gives them a way to test their bravery with MMR Double Down tokens every year around The International.

Players need a lot of courage and confidence to use this token because it is a double-edged sword. While it gives players a way to accelerate their climb up the MMR ladder, it can also backfire.

Dota 2 games are unpredictable, and using the MMR Double Down Token in the wrong match could result in a player losing twice their MMR in a single game. Thus, in this article, we will provide some of the best advice on how to take advantage of this token.

What is an MMR Double Down Token in Dota 2?

You might be asking yourself, what is a Dota 2 MMR Double Down Token? In simplest terms, it's a mechanic that allows players to double the amount of MMR gained or lost from the outcome of their ranked match.

Players can activate this mechanic by pressing the "prediction" menu before the match starts (before the horn blows and the timer reaches 00:00). Doing so will trigger the mechanic, and if they win the match, the amount of MMR they win will be doubled. If they lose, the opposite happens.

This is how you can find how many Dota 2 MMR Double Down Token you have left.

The tokens do not go on cooldown after their usage. However, each player has a limited number of tokens. Once they're out of tokens, they can purchase more from the Crownfall store or unlock them through Crownfall quests.

There's a catch though. If you earn enough Crownfall coins, you can get the MMR Double Down Tokens for free from the Crownfall store. Sometimes, if you're lucky, you could also win tokens from the Candyworks Caravan.

Different Ways To Use Tokens

Now that we have covered Double Down Tokens in Dota 2, let's discuss some ways to use these tokens effectively. These strategies can also reveal what type of player you are in Dota 2.

You can use the MMR Double Down Token by clicking on the prediction tab in the left corner.

The first and safest option is to use them strategically. Before the start of the match, players can decide whether to double down or not. If your team has a decent draft and you're confident in your hero, go for it.

However, if you're playing for a ranked role queue or if you are playing an unfamiliar hero, never double down. Additionally, the same rule applies if you have a pre-muted teammate on your team. Using this method will ensure most of your Double Down matches result in victory.

The other option has the potential to give more MMR gains from the Double Down. However, this method is treacherous. It requires the player to use the Double Down Token in every game regardless of the outcome.

By clicking the "predict your victory", the mechanic will get activated.

This might sound insane, but believe it or not, it can actually be more effective than the first option. If a player has a strong understanding of the current meta and is confident in their heroes, this method can yield tremendous results. Many professional players opt for this method to break MMR records.

Tips & Tricks

No matter which approach you take, Double Tokens can either greatly improve your day or make it worse. There are some general principles when it comes to using the MMR Double Down Tokens in Dota 2. Here are some tips to follow that can maximize your chances of winning.

Don't Double Down on your first game of the day

This is the thumb rule – never use the double-down token in your first game. Many high MMR players use their first game to warm up because they are unsure about their in-game situation. You might encounter skilled players, or you might encounter tired players who perform poorly.

If you face skilled players, that's great. But if you come across struggling players, winning will be tough, and you'll be at a double disadvantage. It will take some time for you to get into the gaming zone in Dota 2, and it's unlikely to happen in your first game.

Thus, always use your first game to test the waters. Always use your first game as a warm-up and judge the situation. Then in your following match, you can go crazy.

Check on your current in-game teammates

Remember to quickly check on your team at the start of the match, after the drafting stage, when every hero spawns in the fountain. If you have someone who's already muted or testing out a hero, it's best not to double down on that particular match. When someone is toxic in Dota 2, they usually get pre-muted every match.

Never Double Down On A Losing Streak

This is the most important ideology you should remember when using Double-Down tokens. You must never use them while you're on a losing streak. It is usually because when you're on a losing streak, you will not be playing at your maximum potential.

Additionally, you will be prone to tilting whenever your team makes a mistake. Moreover, you get tired more easily when you're losing and you won't be making good judgements or reading the situation properly.

These minute details come into great play in Dota 2 and if you're in such situations, it's not a great idea to Double Down. You will just likely be throwing your hard-earned MMR into the water because you're not feeling your best. Thus, during these times, just save your Double Down token for a rainy day and use it when you recover.

Check-In on the Meta

In Dota 2, meta changes play a pivotal role in the game. Therefore, it's a good idea to review your team's draft composition before each match. Your team might have a super-powered hero that can easily secure your team's victory. Alternatively, your team's draft composition might be very strong, or your opponent's composition much weaker in comparison. In such situations, you can take advantage of your Double Down Token.

In conclusion, it's crucial to remember that Double-Down tokens should only be used if you're confident in securing the victory. Otherwise, the loss can be extremely devastating and take a toll on you psychologically.