MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) is a new gaming genre. Spawned from early forums from the custom
map for Starcraft called {Aeon of Strife} and Evolved in to the most recent Defense of the Ancients or "DotA". The objective of the MOBA Genre is for each team to destroy the opponents' Base, heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the
map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called "creeps". As in role-playing games, players level up their
hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission.
Each human player must control one
Hero, a powerful unit with unique abilities. In DotA-Allstars, players on each side choose one of ninety-five heroes, each with different abilities and tactical advantages over other heroes. The scenario is highly team-oriented; it is difficult for one player to carry the team to victory alone. Nevertheless, some heroes, given enough time, can change the outcome
single-handedly, while countering the opposing team's heroes.
Because the game play revolves around strengthening individual heroes, it does not require one to focus on resource management and base-building, as in most traditional
real-time strategy games. Killing
computer-controlled or neutral units earns the player experience points; when enough experience is accumulated, the player gains a level. Leveling up improves the
hero's toughness and the damage it can inflict, and allows players to upgrade their spells or skills. In addition to accumulating experience, players also manage a
single resource, in most cases: gold.
The typical resource gathering is based on a combat-oriented money system; in addition to a small periodic income, heroes earn gold by killing hostile units, base structures, and enemy heroes. Using gold, players buy items to strengthen their
hero and gain abilities. Certain items can be combined with recipes to create more powerful items. Buying items that suit one's
hero is an important tactical element of the scenario.
Most MOBA Games offer a variety of
game modes, selected by the game host at the beginning of the match. The game modes dictate the difficulty of the scenario, as well as whether
people can choose their
hero or are assigned one randomly. Many game modes can be combined (for example, an easy difficulty level and a random
hero pick), allowing more flexible options.