Dota 2 requires a huge time investment to learn and even more to master. The initial learning stage is a chore if you’re new to MOBA games. But come on, I know you’re familiar with the genre.

If you enjoy experimenting with different strategies, Dota offers countless combinations and endless room for creativity. This is especially fun during the discovery phase but less so when the focus shifts to mastery.

Once you get competitive, Dota can become one of the most toxic experiences out there. It stops being about having fun or experimenting and turns into sticking with what's proven to work if executed perfectly. You’ll focus on farming that item by minute XY, sticking to your hero pool and lane, and chasing MMR. Your teammates will resent you, and you’ll probably feel the same about them.

Don’t fall into this trap.