Esports has opened a new avenue for heroes to arise and new legends to be forged. We have to understand that it’s a world that is filled with scheming, strategies, and a thirst for victory. Only the best get to the top, especially in games like Dota 2. So, with lots of players vying for the top spot, we know that only a few would ever get there.
As a result, Kate Richardson, a top tipster with MightyTips and an expert in Esports, decided to curate a ranking of the best players of all time in Dota 2. In the ranking the focus would be on their strengths and what makes them the pick of the very top.
Leading Players in Dota 2 History
Dota 2 has given us some of the most mindblowing events in over a decade, and we have seen teams rise out of nowhere. However, our focus is on the players, those who have made a mark in history by being the best. Here are the best of the best:
Yatoro – The Leading Dota 2 Player Of All Time
In the words of Dan Gable, “Gold medals aren’t really made of gold. They’re made of sweat, determination, and a hard-to-find alloy called guts.” This is the main reason why the name Illya “Yatoro” Mulyarchuk would pop up on this list.
This 21-year-old has a reputation that precedes him and a list of accomplishments that many players might even envy. We are talking about having their name listed as one of the winners of the Valve TI championship, of which he has two with his team, Team Spirit. Especially the recent TI championship of 2023. He is a player known to strive for the top, set records, and test out new challenges. It is not a surprise that he is lauded as one of the best players to have graced the Dota 2 world.
Danil “Dendi” Ishutin
One player who has always found a way to infuse their gameplay with innovative techniques is Danil “Dendi” Ishutin. This guy has one of the dopest space-creating playstyles out there, and his use of unconventional mid-heroes like Rubick and Pudge just makes it even cooler.
However, those aren’t what makes him one of the best mid-players out there. It’s mostly because he is known to have helped the iconic Na’Vi team reach three TI grand finals. However, he was part of the Na’Vi team that lost the TI3, which is said to be one of the most epic finals in Dota 2.
Artour “Arteezy” Babaev
Well, Artour “Arteezy” Babaev is a player who has a renowned reputation that comes along with a very impressive track record in Dota 2. He also has a win rate that sits comfortably over 60% in LAN games which is far-fetched for most players. But hey, when you have played at teams such as Team Liquid and Evil Geniuses, it’s expected.
Anyway, here is the sad part, most people refer to Arteezy as one of the unluckiest Dota 2 players out there. This is because he has never won a Major trophy. But this doesn’t take away the fact that he is one of the best – if not the best carry players out there by a huge margin.
His name continues to be mentioned alongside top-notch players like Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi, Clement “Puppey” Ivanov, Syed “Sumail” Hassan, and Johan “nOtail Sundstein.
Alexei “Solo” Berezin
An honorable mention on our list would be the captain of 9Pandas, Alexei “Solo” Berezin, who is known as a top-notch Hard Support. However, he did not start at that position, as he was formerly a notorious mid-player. He is the type of player you would want on your team due to his exceptional playing style.
Nicknamed ‘322’, Solo’s career almost ended when he was caught for placing a bet against his team and winning $322. Want to learn about betting tips and strategies that can help you win more than $322 in Esports and other forms of sports betting? Check out MightyTips for top-of-the-shelf tips and betting strategies.
Clinton “Fear” Loomis
If you saw Clinton “Fear” Loomis seated and ready to face you at a Dota 2 match, there is a high chance that some sort of fear would creep in. This guy is one player who takes his nickname seriously while playing, and this is obvious with his crazy-aggressive playstyle. This persona was what earned the tag of a legend and OG status in Dota 2.
With two TIs and about four Majors up his belt while playing at teams such as Team Liquid, we can say that he has earned a spot on this list. Also, we should point out that Solo would be forever remembered for his insane comeback at TI4, where he singlehandedly took out the entire team of Vici Gaming in a team fight. Wild, right? A true original, through and through.
Gustav “s4” Magnusson
When we make a list of the greatest Dota 2 players of all time, the name s4 would probably be etched in stone. The “Son of Magnus” is known to be one of the top players who made sure everyone saw that he was a talented player.
He didn’t even try to compete as one of the top mechanicals or captains; all he wanted was to play and innovate. It turned out well for him, as he redefined the concept of being a core player in Dota 2. One of his most iconic moments remains the million-dollar Dream Coil, which has been cemented into the history of Dota 2.
Anathan “Ana/Humblegod” Pham
Fact: Still regarded as one of the most celebrated players in Dota 2 history, Anathan Pham, also known as Ana or Humblegod, is who we could call “Him.”
Yeah sure this is debatable. Anyway, he was an important member of the OG team where he won TI8 and TI9 alongside teammates like Jerax, nOtail, Ceb, and Topson. He became one of the few Dota players to get consecutive TI wins. However, he retired in 2021, after failing to qualify for Majors that season, and decided to get back into the real world and probably “touch grass”.
Other notable players include:
- Clement “Puppey” Ivanov – Team Secret
- Oliver “Skiter” Lepko – Tundra Esports
- Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi – Nigma Galaxy
Highest Earning Dota 2 Players of All Time
“Everybody around the world is starting to understand there is a lot of money that can be had in esports.” – Gordon Hayward.
No doubt, a lot of pro players have recorded massive success with various Dota 2 teams, and this has translated to massive financial rewards. Here are the top 3 earners in Dota 2.
#1 N0tail : $7.1 million
At the very top of the list when it comes to earnings in Dota 2, we would find Johan “nOtail” Sundstein, with earnings that sit at $7.1 million in prize money. Achieving this isn’t an easy feat, and this guy was able to do it despite switching to Dota 2 at a later stage in his esports career.
Anyway, that move was the beginning of his road to the top, as he and his teammates at OG were able to secure the bag. Getting a prize money of $11.2m and $15.6m in both competitions.
#2 JerAx: $6.5 million
As a team member of the OG team that won consecutive International Championships, it was obvious that Jerax would make the list. These guys hit it big with those two major championships, and it was pivotal to their rise in the earnings ladder.
Jerax’s ability as a top support player is a strong point on his end, and he has assisted in winning other tournaments like the DPC events.
#3 Ana: $6 million
With about $6 million in earnings, Ana takes the third position, and this is also because he was a team member with OG double championship wins. He came a long way from playing in the CDEC in-house league before going full-time and signing with Invictus Group.
Other top earners in Dota 2 include:
Sebastein “Seb” Debs – $5.9 million
Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen – $5.7 million
Kuro “Kuroky” Takhasomi – $5.3 million
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have looked at some of the best players to ever grace the Dota 2 world. These guys showed that getting to the top required class, skill, and determination. Our journey also took us through the ranks of the highest earners in Dota 2. Most of them are still in the game while others have gone out to venture into other areas of life.