Dota 2 Characters: How Many Heroes in Dota 2

Dota 2 packs one of the biggest rosters in gaming, and the number of Dota 2 characters keeps climbing every year. Type Dota characters into Google and you will get five different answers — so we built this Dota 2 character list to settle the question for good. Below you will find the exact hero count as of August 2026, a full breakdown by attribute, every release date, and honest advice on which Dota 2 characters suit beginners best.

Spoiler: the roster is massive, and Valve never stops growing it.

What Are Dota 2 Heroes?

Ask a veteran about Dota characters and they will correct you mid-sentence: Valve officially calls them heroes. Still, Dota 2 characters — or even Dota 2 heros, as half the internet spells it — all mean the same thing: the playable units you control in a match.

Every hero Dota 2 offers a unique set of abilities, one of four attributes (Strength, Agility, Intelligence, or Universal), and a typical battlefield role such as carry, mid, offlane, or support. Ten players pick ten different heroes in every game, five per side, and the draft alone can decide who wins.

Whether you search for dota two heroes or the full Dota 2 character list, the appeal stays the same — after 127 heroes, no two matches ever play out identically. Some players even build a personal Dota hero list of favorites before their first ranked game.

How Many Heroes Are in Dota 2?

So, how many heroes in Dota 2 can you actually pick right now? As of August 2026, the official count of Dota 2 characters sits at 127. Valve has grown the roster steadily since the first 23 Dota characters landed in November 2010, back when the game was still a closed beta. The latest addition is Largo, a frog bard who became the 127th hero on December 15, 2025 with patch 7.40.

If you wonder how many heroes in Dota 2 will exist next year, expect more — Dota 2 new heroes arrive roughly once or twice per year, and Valve shows no sign of stopping. That makes how many heroes in Dota 2 the single most-asked question about the game — and all characters in Dota 2 stay free the moment they launch.

Complete Dota 2 Character List

Here is the full Dota 2 character list — all 127 heroes with their attributes, main role, and the exact day each one entered the game. We sorted the Dota 2 heroes by release date, so you can watch the roster grow from the original 2010 lineup all the way to Largo in 2025. If you ever need a quick Dota hero list for trivia night or draft planning, bookmark this table.

Hero	Attribute	Main Role	Release Date
Anti-Mage	Agility	Carry	November 1, 2010
Axe	Strength	Offlane	November 1, 2010
Crystal Maiden	Intelligence	Support	November 1, 2010
Dazzle	Universal	Support	November 1, 2010
Drow Ranger	Agility	Carry	November 1, 2010
Earthshaker	Strength	Offlane	November 1, 2010
Lich	Intelligence	Support	November 1, 2010
Lina	Intelligence	Mid	November 1, 2010
Lion	Intelligence	Support	November 1, 2010
Mirana	Agility	Support	November 1, 2010
Morphling	Agility	Carry	November 1, 2010
Necrophos	Intelligence	Mid	November 1, 2010
Puck	Intelligence	Mid	November 1, 2010
Pudge	Strength	Versatile	November 1, 2010
Razor	Agility	Mid	November 1, 2010
Sand King	Universal	Offlane	November 1, 2010
Shadow Shaman	Intelligence	Support	November 1, 2010
Storm Spirit	Intelligence	Mid	November 1, 2010
Sven	Strength	Carry	November 1, 2010
Tidehunter	Strength	Offlane	November 1, 2010
Vengeful Spirit	Agility	Support	November 1, 2010
Windranger	Universal	Versatile	November 1, 2010
Witch Doctor	Intelligence	Support	November 1, 2010
Zeus	Intelligence	Mid	January 18, 2011
Slardar	Strength	Offlane	February 12, 2011
Enigma	Universal	Offlane	February 19, 2011
Faceless Void	Agility	Carry	February 19, 2011
Tiny	Strength	Versatile	February 19, 2011
Viper	Agility	Mid	February 19, 2011
Venomancer	Universal	Support	April 9, 2011
Clockwerk	Strength	Offlane	April 20, 2011
Nature’s Prophet	Universal	Versatile	April 20, 2011
Dark Seer	Intelligence	Offlane	April 30, 2011
Sniper	Agility	Mid	April 30, 2011
Beastmaster	Universal	Offlane	May 20, 2011
Pugna	Intelligence	Support	May 20, 2011
Enchantress	Intelligence	Support	May 26, 2011
Leshrac	Intelligence	Mid	May 26, 2011
Shadow Fiend	Agility	Mid	May 26, 2011
Tinker	Intelligence	Mid	June 2, 2011
Weaver	Agility	Carry	June 10, 2011
Night Stalker	Strength	Offlane	June 11, 2011
Ancient Apparition	Intelligence	Support	June 17, 2011
Spectre	Agility	Carry	June 17, 2011
Doom	Strength	Offlane	June 24, 2011
Chen	Intelligence	Support	July 1, 2011
Juggernaut	Agility	Carry	September 30, 2011
Bloodseeker	Agility	Carry	October 6, 2011
Kunkka	Strength	Mid	October 6, 2011
Riki	Agility	Carry	October 13, 2011
Queen of Pain	Intelligence	Mid	October 20, 2011
Wraith King	Strength	Carry	October 20, 2011
Broodmother	Agility	Offlane	October 20, 2011
Huskar	Strength	Mid	October 27, 2011
Jakiro	Intelligence	Support	October 27, 2011
Batrider	Universal	Offlane	October 27, 2011
Omniknight	Strength	Support	November 3, 2011
Dragon Knight	Strength	Mid	November 3, 2011
Warlock	Intelligence	Support	November 11, 2011
Alchemist	Strength	Carry	November 18, 2011
Lifestealer	Strength	Carry	December 2, 2011
Death Prophet	Universal	Mid	December 8, 2011
Ursa	Agility	Carry	December 16, 2011
Bounty Hunter	Agility	Support	December 21, 2011
Silencer	Intelligence	Support	January 12, 2012
Spirit Breaker	Strength	Support	January 12, 2012
Invoker	Intelligence	Mid	January 19, 2012
Clinkz	Agility	Carry	January 26, 2012
Outworld Destroyer	Intelligence	Mid	February 16, 2012
Bane	Universal	Support	March 1, 2012
Shadow Demon	Intelligence	Support	March 15, 2012
Lycan	Strength	Offlane	March 22, 2012
Lone Druid	Agility	Carry	March 28, 2012
Brewmaster	Universal	Offlane	April 19, 2012
Phantom Lancer	Agility	Carry	May 3, 2012
Treant Protector	Strength	Support	May 17, 2012
Ogre Magi	Strength	Support	May 24, 2012
Gyrocopter	Agility	Carry	June 11, 2012
Chaos Knight	Strength	Carry	June 11, 2012
Phantom Assassin	Agility	Carry	June 11, 2012
Rubick	Intelligence	Support	June 20, 2012
Luna	Agility	Carry	June 28, 2012
Io	Universal	Support	June 28, 2012
Undying	Strength	Versatile	July 5, 2012
Disruptor	Intelligence	Support	July 5, 2012
Templar Assassin	Agility	Versatile	July 12, 2012
Naga Siren	Agility	Carry	July 19, 2012
Nyx Assassin	Universal	Support	July 26, 2012
Keeper of the Light	Intelligence	Support	July 26, 2012
Visage	Universal	Offlane	July 26, 2012
Meepo	Agility	Versatile	September 21, 2012
Magnus	Universal	Offlane	October 4, 2012
Centaur Warrunner	Strength	Offlane	October 25, 2012
Slark	Agility	Carry	November 15, 2012
Timbersaw	Strength	Offlane	December 13, 2012
Medusa	Agility	Carry	January 10, 2013
Troll Warlord	Agility	Carry	January 24, 2013
Tusk	Strength	Support	February 14, 2013
Bristleback	Strength	Offlane	March 28, 2013
Skywrath Mage	Intelligence	Support	April 19, 2013
Elder Titan	Strength	Versatile	May 2, 2013
Abaddon	Universal	Versatile	July 12, 2013
Ember Spirit	Agility	Mid	November 14, 2013
Earth Spirit	Strength	Versatile	November 14, 2013
Legion Commander	Strength	Offlane	December 12, 2013
Phoenix	Strength	Versatile	January 29, 2014
Terrorblade	Agility	Carry	January 29, 2014
Techies	Universal	Support	September 4, 2014
Oracle	Intelligence	Support	February 12, 2015
Winter Wyvern	Intelligence	Support	February 12, 2015
Arc Warden	Universal	Mid	December 16, 2015
Underlord	Strength	Offlane	August 23, 2016
Monkey King	Agility	Versatile	December 12, 2016
Dark Willow	Intelligence	Support	October 31, 2017
Pangolier	Universal	Versatile	October 31, 2017
Grimstroke	Intelligence	Support	August 24, 2018
Mars	Strength	Offlane	March 5, 2019
Snapfire	Universal	Versatile	November 26, 2019
Void Spirit	Universal	Mid	November 26, 2019
Hoodwink	Agility	Support	December 17, 2020
Dawnbreaker	Strength	Offlane	April 9, 2021
Marci	Universal	Versatile	October 28, 2021
Primal Beast	Strength	Versatile	February 23, 2022
Muerta	Intelligence	Carry	March 6, 2023
Ringmaster	Intelligence	Support	August 22, 2024
Kez	Agility	Carry	November 7, 2024
Largo	Strength	Support	December 15, 2025

Scrolling through it, you can literally watch Dota grow up — weekly drops during the beta years, a long silence after Techies in 2014, then big event-style reveals in the modern era. Use it for trivia, draft prep, or settling arguments about which hero came first.

All Dota 2 Heroes by Attribute

Every hero belongs to one of four attribute groups, and the split is surprisingly even: 36 Strength, 35 Agility, 34 Intelligence, and 22 Universal. The attribute tells you how a character wants to play before you even read the abilities.

Strength Heroes

Alchemist, Axe, Bristleback, Centaur Warrunner, Chaos Knight, Clockwerk, Dawnbreaker, Doom, Dragon Knight, Earth Spirit, Earthshaker, Elder Titan, Huskar, Kunkka, Largo, Legion Commander, Lifestealer, Lycan, Mars, Night Stalker, Ogre Magi, Omniknight, Phoenix, Primal Beast, Pudge, Slardar, Spirit Breaker, Sven, Tidehunter, Timbersaw, Tiny, Treant Protector, Tusk, Underlord, Undying, Wraith King.

The tankiest crowd on the roster. Strength heroes initiate fights, absorb punishment, and usually man the offlane or support positions — think Axe blinking into five enemies or Pudge fishing for hooks. The group’s newest member, Largo, prefers buffing allies from the backline instead.

Agility Heroes

Anti-Mage, Bloodseeker, Bounty Hunter, Broodmother, Clinkz, Drow Ranger, Ember Spirit, Faceless Void, Gyrocopter, Hoodwink, Juggernaut, Kez, Lone Druid, Luna, Medusa, Meepo, Mirana, Monkey King, Morphling, Naga Siren, Phantom Assassin, Phantom Lancer, Razor, Riki, Shadow Fiend, Slark, Sniper, Spectre, Templar Assassin, Terrorblade, Troll Warlord, Ursa, Vengeful Spirit, Viper, Weaver.

Attack speed and armor rule this bracket. Most carries live here — Juggernaut, Phantom Assassin, Terrorblade — farming safely for thirty minutes and then deleting entire teams. Kez and Hoodwink prove the attribute works for flashy playmakers too, not just right-clickers.

Intelligence Heroes

Ancient Apparition, Chen, Crystal Maiden, Dark Seer, Dark Willow, Disruptor, Enchantress, Grimstroke, Invoker, Jakiro, Keeper of the Light, Leshrac, Lich, Lina, Lion, Muerta, Necrophos, Oracle, Outworld Destroyer, Puck, Pugna, Queen of Pain, Ringmaster, Rubick, Shadow Demon, Shadow Shaman, Silencer, Skywrath Mage, Storm Spirit, Tinker, Warlock, Winter Wyvern, Witch Doctor, Zeus.

The spellcasters. Intelligence heroes control fights with stuns, nukes, and heals rather than physical damage, which is why mid lanes and support slots belong to them. Invoker alone brings ten spells to a match; Lion needs only two buttons to ruin someone’s day.

Universal Heroes

Abaddon, Arc Warden, Bane, Batrider, Beastmaster, Brewmaster, Dazzle, Death Prophet, Enigma, Io, Magnus, Marci, Nature’s Prophet, Nyx Assassin, Pangolier, Sand King, Snapfire, Techies, Venomancer, Visage, Void Spirit, Windranger.

The odd one out, added in April 2023 with patch 7.33. Universal heroes buy any stat and still gain attack damage, so they flex between roles more freely than anyone else. Void Spirit goes mid, Marci throws punches, Batrider kidnaps people — the category is a grab bag of playstyles.

How Often Does Dota 2 Release New Heroes?

Valve’s release pattern

There isn’t one. During the beta, Valve pushed out a hero almost every week; these days each arrival is an event, often teased at The International and shipped months later. Ringmaster was announced in October 2023 and only became playable in August 2024 — an eleven-month build-up the community now treats as normal.

Recent releases by year

The modern timeline: Hoodwink (2020), Dawnbreaker and Marci (2021), Primal Beast (2022), Muerta (2023), Ringmaster and Kez (2024), Largo (2025). So far 2026 has stayed quiet, but gaps between arrivals have swung from 77 days (Ringmaster to Kez) to 535 days (Primal Beast to Muerta), so silence means nothing.

Will there be more heroes?

Definitely. Valve has never called the roster finished, keeps flashing silhouettes at tournaments, and dataminers regularly dig up half-built hero files in new patches. The only safe bet is that hero 128 already exists somewhere on a Valve developer’s hard drive.

Which Dota 2 Heroes Are Best for Beginners?

Start small: learn three to five Dota 2 heroes in a single position instead of sampling the whole pool. Axe and Dragon Knight forgive mistakes up front, Ogre Magi and Jakiro make supporting feel easy, and Wraith King is a carry with a built-in second life. Lion, Crystal Maiden, and Sniper are classic teachers too.

Two things worth doing before your first queue: check the Dota 2 system requirements so the game runs smoothly, and skim our guide on how to play Dota 2 for lane basics. Nice bonus — every character is free from day one, so your wallet only opens for cosmetics like the most expensive Dota 2 item.

Conclusion

One hundred twenty-seven Dota 2 heroes, four attributes, fifteen years of releases — and the count is still climbing. And if your inventory grows faster than your hero pool, our Steam inventory checker keeps track of every cosmetic you own. Good luck in the draft.