TL;DR
- New and returning players find it challenging to get into Dota 2 because the game is now much more complex than it was in the glory days of 2015.
- Smurfs and griefers have plagued Dota 2 since its inception, causing many players to play less or quit outright out of frustration.
- Additional balance patches throughout the year would alleviate the staleness that often sets in after the first two months of a new content patch.
- Players enjoy having free cosmetics and skins to customize their heroes, personalizing them in their own image.
2025 has been a phenomenal year for Dota 2. From a successful TI 2025 to several Dota 2 improvements made throughout the year, the game has showcased some of the best matches of all time in the esports scene. However, not everything is as great as it could be, with a few major issues plaguing the game since its inception in 2011.
Problems like smurfing and griefing, among others, still affect Dota 2. We feel like certain changes could be made to alleviate these problems. A few simple Dota 2 quality-of-life updates would be all the game needs to flourish in 2026. The future of Dota 2 and its continued success could be determined by the improvements we want Valve to make going forwards.
5 changes we want Valve to make to Dota 2 in 2026
Reworked tutorial for new players/recap system for returning players
The biggest hurdle that Dota 2 has experienced since its introduction has been its high skill ceiling. While Valve has added basic tutorials to the game to familiarize newer players with its mechanics, the game’s more complex aspects are left for players to explore. This can be overwhelming for newer players, who often simply quit the game in frustration.
This issue also affects players returning to Dota 2 after multiple years of inactivity. Since 2020, Valve has introduced Facets, Tormentors, Twin Gates, and Aghanim’s Shards, features that baffle returning players. They are forced to adapt to the quicker modern pace or quit again.
A simple fix for this could be changes to the Dota 2 tutorial system that explain these newer concepts. For returning players, Valve could add a recap system that showcases everything they missed since their last playthrough.
Quicker and more effective action against smurfs and griefers
Smurfs have been the bane of Dota 2 players for years. These smurfs tend to ruin games for casual players by stomping them with better mechanical skill and understanding of the map. On the other hand, griefers are players who would throw games, usually in a fit of rage or because the match didn’t go their way — playing with smurfs or griefers made for a miserable experience.
While Valve has made several plans to counter smurfs and griefers over the past few years, they still persist. We want Valve to update the Dota 2 smurf detection system so that smurfs are penalized during matches, and players do not lose MMR when one is present.
Valve could also issue an IP ban for smurfs that repeatedly grief games.
Multiple smaller balance patches all year
With Valve sticking to biannual major updates, Dota matches played towards the end of a patch’s lifecycle tend to get stale and repetitive. Because of the time spent on each major patch, a few heroes tend to get overpowered once players figure them out, while others never see the light of day. While minor letter patches could fix those power spikes, they don’t solve the problem.
Instead of biannual updates, we want Valve to implement smaller balance patches throughout the year to optimize gameplay. These changes could keep Dota 2 games fresh for longer, necessitating innovation rather than repetition to win reliably, especially in the pro scene.
Clearer communication from Valve
If there is one thing Valve is known for, it’s mystery. Valve’s plans involve keeping its playerbase in the dark about Dota 2 patch release windows, often dropping major updates without warning. While the surprise can be a fun thing to look forward to, the lack of clear communication from Valve leaves players wondering about when, or if, it will address specific issues.
Valve could release a roadmap, as most other major developers do, or provide reasons why certain features are added or removed over time. Clear transparency among the developers and playerbase would also help build trust and improve the future of Dota 2.
More earnable cosmetics (and maybe a Battle Pass)
Dota 2 is probably the only game where the playerbase wants the paid Battle Pass system to return. While this might not be a wise decision in the long run, having more in-game cosmetics to earn would go a long way towards player engagement and retention. The reduction of lootbox-style rewards has also helped the rewards feel more meaningful.
If there’s anything that features like Quartero’s Curios and events like the Monster Hunter collaboration have shown us, it’s that players are willing to grind when the rewards feel worthwhile. Based on the success of these events, we can hope that future Dota 2 updates will contain similar activities to keep the playerbase engaged.
Conclusion
2026 is shaping up to be a good year for Valve, and the company is retaining its playerbase from 2025 through new events and collaborations. Once Valve addresses the longer-running issues plaguing the game (smurfs, griefers, and communication), we believe the future of Dota 2 will be promising.
FAQs
What changes do players want in Dota 2 for 2026?
Players want to see meaningful changes, like more balance patches and more cosmetic rewards for playing the game in 2026.
Is Valve planning major Dota 2 updates in 2026?
Valve releases bi-annual major updates, with other events likely to be peppered in throughout the year.
Does Dota 2 need changes to stay competitive with other MOBAs?
Dota 2 needs to fix its long-standing issues and retain its playerbase for longer to stay competitive.
How often does Valve make major changes to Dota 2?
Valve usually makes major changes to Dota 2 at least once a year.
The post Dota 2 wishlist: 5 changes we want Valve to make to the MOBA in 2026 appeared first on Esports Insider.
