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What is a MOBA?
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena, or MOBA, is a subgenre within strategy-focused video games. Many factors determine what a MOBA is, but they commonly involve two opposing teams competing against each other within a controlled space – hence the ‘arena.’
Each player controls a particular character equipped with a distinct set of skills or abilities. The players must work together to fulfill a winning condition against the enemy team. This may include eliminating the enemy team’s players, destroying bases, capturing control points, and completing other quests or objectives.
The MOBA meaning is quite flexible and leaves room for additional mechanics and features. Whether it’s designating specific roles to players, such as damage or support-focused characters, or taking place through different perspectives (top-down, first-person, or side-scrolling), it can be both an exciting and challenging genre to play.
Key Takeaways
- MOBAs are a subgenre of strategy games where two teams compete in an arena.
- The genre spans multiple consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation, Mobile, Nintendo, and PC.
- Popular MOBAs include League of Legends, Dota 2, and Overwatch 2.
- Aeon of Strife from StarCraft is considered to be the first true MOBA.
- Using a VPN, adjusting console settings, and getting better internet can help improve MOBA performance.
History of MOBAs
MOBA games have a long history of titles and franchises, but what is considered the genre’s origin point is debatable. Here is a list of the history of MOBAs.
How MOBAs Work
Most MOBA games vary based on unique mechanics and game design, but here are the core features present throughout the genre.
Maps
MOBAs feature maps that are typically divided into three main lanes. These lanes possess towers, which can be captured to progress closer to an enemy’s base. These bases are often the main objective, and destroying the enemy base leads to victory.
Characters
Games such as League of Legends and Dota 2 offer a large roster of characters to choose from, each with their own unique set of skills that you can use to help you in combat.
Some kits are designed to fulfill certain roles: damage, tank, and support.
- Characters that focus on damage are great at securing eliminations.
- Tanks can often mitigate damage to protect themselves or their teammates.
- Characters with support focus on keeping teammates alive or giving a tactical advantage.
Some games allow you to augment or upgrade your abilities as matches progress and are often a means to reward performance and keep matches interesting.
AI Units
Some MOBA games spawn AI-controlled units that aid you in battle. These units automatically spawn on their own and move down lanes toward enemy structures. These are designed to ensure matches continue to progress and help players fulfill core objectives.
Types of MOBAs
There are several different types of MOBAs to be available, crossing genres and platforms.
Top-Down MOBAs
Examples: League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of Newerth
Characteristics: The traditional PC MOBAs are formatted with a bird’s-eye view, three lanes, and towers. Players control a single character and aim to destroy the enemy’s main structure.
Third Person MOBAs
Examples: Smite, Paragon (now Predecessor and Fault)
Characteristics: Instead of a top-down perspective, players take on a third-person viewpoint, either directly behind the character or over the shoulder. This adds more action-centered gameplay that emphasizes aiming and positioning.
Side-Scrolling MOBAs
Examples: Awesomenauts
Characteristics: A 2D side-scrolling approach where players navigate lanes on a horizontal perspective. This type combines MOBAs with mechanics found in platformers.
Mobile MOBAs
Examples: Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Arena of Valor, Vainglory
Characteristics: MOBAs on mobile devices, with shorter match times and simplified touch controls. These games retain core MOBA elements like lanes and towers but can be played on the go.
Console MOBAs
Examples: Arena of Valor (on consoles), Gigantic, Monday Night Combat
Characteristics: Console MOBAs are designed for controller play, usually featuring more simplified mechanics or hybrid elements.
Popular MOBA Games
Here is a list of the best MOBA games to play across a variety of platforms.
League of Legends
League of Legends is a trailblazer in the MOBA genre, featuring over 160+ unique champions to choose from. It is also available across multiple platforms, making it highly accessible.
Dota 2
Dota 2 is the official game release, inspired by the original Defence of the Ancients fan-made mod. It is one of the best PC MOBA games due to its strategic depth and its roster of over 120+ characters.
Marvel RIvals
Marvel Rivals is a third-person hero shooter that incorporates MOBA elements. It is one of the best PS5 MOBA games to play because of its large cast of characters from the Marvel universe and its unique ‘team-up’ mechanic.
Smite 2
The Smite series was one of the first MOBAs to introduce drastic changes to the genre, most notably the shift from top-down to third-person gameplay. The new MOBA game, Smite 2, improves the series’ graphics and features recognizable gods and historical figures from mythology, legends, and religions.
Gigantic: Rampage Edition
Gigantic: Rampage Edition is the revival of the original 2017 game. It is one of the best Xbox MOBA games to play because of its fast-paced third-person gameplay. In this game, the bases are replaced by Guardians, giant monsters that fight alongside you during matches.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is one of the most well-known FPS MOBAs because of its iconic cast of heroes and intense team-based combat. It is a constantly updating live service with new maps, modes, and heroes to play.
Pokémon Unite
Pokémon Unite is one of the best Nintendo and mobile MOBA games to play, making it one of the few battle arena games you can play on the go. Instead of destroying bases, players must score points by depositing Aeos in enemy goal zones.
4 Ways to Improve MOBA Performance
Here are four ways to improve how your game performance:
Here are four ways to get better at MOBAs:
- Learn what characters pair well together for team compositions
- Familiarize yourself with map layouts for better positioning
- Use an aim trainer for FPS MOBAs
- Learn key callouts to effectively communicate with your team
MOBA Pros and Cons
- Challenging gameplay and highly competitive.
- Incredibly versatile format for additional mechanics.
- Features last rosters of characters.
- Can play with friends online.
- Available across multiple platforms.
- Some MOBAs are poorly balanced.
- At times MOBA gamers take competitiveness too far.
- High learning curve for new players.
- MOBA games are often filled with microtransactions.
The Bottom Line
MOBA games are a subgenre of video games that emphasize strategy and teamwork. Players can enjoy maps with towers and bases, a large roster of playable characters, and endless hours of highly competitive online matches.
The MOBA mechanics can be implemented in other genres, such as FPS and platformers, with a plethora of games available for every type of MOBA gamer. It is a unique experience, full of both highs and lows, beloved by millions of players across the world.
