Dota 2 Plus

[SafariTin]

Was not sure whether I should post in the existing Dota 2 thread or create a new topic.

Last night's update introduced Dota 2 Plus - a subscription service for Dota that replaces the Battle Pass.

https://www.dota2.com/plus

Pricing is $3.99 per month with discounts for longer subscriptions.

Currently a 6 month subscription is R319. I have not subscribed yet - this is from feedback I got from a friend, but I think I'll be subscribing tonight.

I'm conflicted on whether it is good for the game or not.

My perspective thus far on positives and negatives:

Positive:

- I like the buying skins with shards
- Getting rewards for playing

Negative:

- Not sure whether the graphs and tips has a "pay-to-win" element to it
- Hero missions - gonna have a lot of players with "I have to kill 4 heroes whilst doing a taunt in between kills quest" - ie focusing on quests and not necessarily what's good for the game.

Guess a lot would also rely on how proactive Valve is in fixing potential issues that may arise and tweaking it if the impact on the game is not as expected.

Feel free to share your thoughts.

 

[-Misfit-]

I've seen a lot of people calling this P2W, though I don't think it should be classified as such. It's not like Dota 2 Plus makes you stronger than your opponent, it just gives you tips on how to play. It's not magically going to make everyone that buys it better, but it can possibly help them improve faster since they have access to this sort of data.

This is assuming 1) that the advice given is actually good (I've heard otherwise) and 2) that the players actually follow the advise and can execute on it. If, for example, it suggest buying blink dagger on a hero but you never use it cause you don't have the mechanics to do so, then you just wasted 2250 gold.

The argument that I can agree with is that this can potentially be a great learning tool for now players, but it's currently locked behind a paywall. Adding a trial version or making some of the features standard could help with this.

 

[porchrat]

This is most definitely pay to win.

I'm assuming the advice it gives is accurate or at least will be as they refine this system.

If you have 2 players starting out, one is just picking the heroes he thinks look cool and buys the items he thinks look cool or the default guide recommends. The other player pays for this dota 2 plus. He gets heroes and item builds recommended to him to counter his opponents' selections in realtime. The second player obviously now has an edge in game.

I don't in principle necessarily have a problem with this sort of system. It could help new players feel less overwhelmed with the game's steep learning curve. I just don't think it should be locked behind a pay wall. Every player should have access to this.

I'm rather disappointed as this is the first time I've felt dota 2 has moved in this pay to win direction.

 

[-Misfit-]

Remember that paid coaching is also a thing, which is basically the same, only it's not a computer giving advice and tips, but a very skilled player. Same argument can then be applied that if two new players start out but one pays for coaching, he is "paying to win." Hell, if you have a very good friend he might coach you for free.

Rather, you could make the argument that one is paying to help with the learning curve.

 

[arcinza]

I certainly don't think that the Dota + assistant is pay to win. I'm ignoring the bling attached to Dota + here ie: relics, shards sets etc etc. You still actually need to be able to play the hero it suggests and also adapt to whats going on in the game at the time. Personally, i really do like the challenges and rewards. In this case I'm also really stoked that EVERY hero has on going challenges. You'll recall with the previous battle passes that the challenge rewards focused on a handful of heroes along the quest paths, so yes, there was always that factor of I HAVE to pick this hero in this game to do my challenge, even if its not a good pick for whats going on during the draft. In this case of dota + every hero you pick will have a challenge you can do.

The basic training fundamentals are still free in the game so that's a good thing. The training stuff and replays etc. Also, and very importantly, I think the best resource for new players is watching games and listening to the casters and analysts, as well as youtube videos to try to understand the what and the why of dota.

If you combine the knowledge and understanding you get from watching and listening, with the Dota + assistant suggestions, and the bot game hero practice, it will greatly lower Dota's steep learning curve. And that's a good thing! Dota's level of complexity is both its biggest asset and biggest weakness.

On the whole Im ok with Dota plus. It's not mind blowingly good or crap and it costs the same as buying my seasonal battlepass every 3 months anyway. And what gamer doesn't enjoy a good hero level up mechanic in their games anyway, right?

 

[L-Dog]

Hey guys, starting playing Dota 2 and my mate plays with Bristleback. Internet has some suggestions for good pairing but I am looking for someone who can compliment Bristleback but still play solo. Any recommendations ?

Thanks

 

[ShloshMalosh]

Check out dotabuff

U wanna play BB with someone that has a slow or stun and can support, and help him kill in the lane.

Seeing that u are new, Witch Doctor, Lina, CM are easy ones to try 1st.

If im not mistaken, they have the top picked heroes, top item builds and will have lists of who heroes are weak and strong against as well as laning partners etc.

By the way, will add you later.

 

[Scary_Turtle]

Hey guys, starting playing Dota 2 and my mate plays with Bristleback. Internet has some suggestions for good pairing but I am looking for someone who can compliment Bristleback but still play solo. Any recommendations ?

Thanks

Wow haven't done this is a long time haha

Darkseer is one of the best, speed burst and shield makes Bristle a tough target. Pick up lots of early kills and seer can handle most solo/jungle.
Lich and Bristle are similar to seer/bristle, ice blast, gaze but most importantly frost shield to slow the target. Lich can kinda handle most solo situations.
Pure support Dazzle can turn Bristle into a bomb when graved at the right time. Not great without a team generally
Disruptor can be good but your bristle is going to need to know how disruptor works. Can be great in the right hands and ruin everything in the wrong hands.