In which game do star esports players take a break from Dota 2

Cybersports players in Dota 2 not only compete at a professional level in Valve's MOBA but also actively participate in other games. This helps pro players to relax, develop new skills, and maintain communication with the community and their fans.

The editorial team at Hawk.live analyzed the preferences of the most famous Dota 2 players. Journalists identified five games that are most popular among pro players and may also be interesting to all Dota 2 fans.

Counter-Strike 2

One of the most popular first-person shooter games with an impressive esports scene. Many Dota 2 players enjoy spending time in CS as it allows them to develop coordination, reaction time, and teamwork skills. For example, Dota 2 stars like N0tail and Puppey often streamed their CS matches.

It's worth noting that playing Valve's game not only provides a break from Dota 2 but also helps train concentration, improve teamwork skills, as well as reaction time and tactical thinking.

Known Players:

• Johan "n0tail" Sundstein

• Ilya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk

• Clement "Puppey" Ivanov

• Artour "Arteezy" Babaev

• Sebastian "Ceb" Debs

• Said "SumaiL" Hassan

• Magomed "Collapse" Khalilov

Around 40% of top players have played or currently play CS2. It's not uncommon for Dota 2 esports players to not only play CS2 in their free time but also stream their matches in the game. Yatoro, for instance, has achieved a fairly high rank in CS2. Although he praises Valorant more, he often streams Valve's shooter.

It's worth noting that the game has been around for a long time, so most Dota 2 players either played it before the release of Valve's MOBA or continue to play matches in the legendary shooter.

Among Us

Among Us has become incredibly popular among esports players due to its unique gameplay that requires strategic thinking and teamwork. Many Dota 2 players, including well-known professionals like Arteezy and Miracle-, enjoy this game in their spare time.

Among Us helps develop communication skills and observation, which are also useful for professional Dota 2 matches. Playing with friends and other players from the esports community strengthens relationships and provides enjoyable leisure time.

Known Players:

• Andreas "Cr1t" Nielsen

• Kuro "KuroKy" Takhasomi

• Daryl "iceiceice" Koh Pei Xiang

It is worth noting that this game is the second most popular among Dota 2 players. Around a quarter of top players prefer to relax by playing Among Us. The core of this game is teamwork, which bears some resemblance to Dota 2, as it helps develop cooperation with other players and allows for the development of leadership qualities during gameplay.

Chess

Chess has received a new breath of life in the esports community, especially with the emergence of online platforms. Many professional Dota 2 players, such as Magnus and Cr1t-, are passionate about chess. This classic game promotes strategic thinking and planning, which directly benefits Dota 2.

About 15% of esports players are interested in chess. Although this figure may not seem impressive, considering the ancient and complex nature of chess, it indicates that the game has a significant following among esports stars. Notably, chess helps in developing strategic thinking that can be advantageous in Dota 2 through immersion in long-term strategies. Additionally, chess teaches players to anticipate their opponent's moves, which can provide an edge in matches.

Known Players:

• Danil "Dendi" Ishutin

• Jean "Gorgc" Stefanovski

• Yaroslav "NS" Kuznetsov

About 15% of esports players are passionate about chess. Although this figure may not seem impressive, given how ancient and complex this game is, chess indeed has many fans among esports stars.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG)

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) has become popular among Dota 2 esports players due to its diverse gameplay experience and social aspect. This team-based game allows Dota 2 players to diversify their gaming sessions and relax from intense matches while still maintaining team spirit and spending time with friends and teammates.

PUBG also attracts professional players with its competitive element, despite being less complex compared to Dota 2. The game's popularity, along with the opportunity to relax and have fun, makes PUBG an attractive choice for Dota 2 players, allowing them to find a balance between a competitive environment and entertainment.

Known Players:

• Artour "Arteezy" Babaev

• Topias "Topson" Taavitsainen

• Ivan "Mind_Control" Ivanov

• Wang "Ame" Chunyu

PUBG also attracts professional players with its competitive element, despite being less complex compared to Dota 2. The game's popularity and trends, along with the opportunity to relax and have fun, contribute to its appeal among Dota 2 players, allowing them to find a balance between the intense competitive environment and recreational activities.

Valorant

Valorant has become popular among Dota 2 esports players due to its diverse gameplay experience and team aspect. This game from Riot Games offers Dota 2 players the opportunity to diversify their gaming sessions and take a break from intense matches while still maintaining team spirit and spending time with friends and teammates.

Valorant attracts professional players with its competitive element and strategic depth, complementing their skills in Dota 2. The game's popularity, along with the opportunity to relax and have fun, makes Valorant an attractive choice for Dota 2 players, allowing them to find a balance between a competitive environment and entertainment.

Known Players:

• Ilya "Yatoro" Mulyarchuk

• Lasse "MATUMBAMAN" Urpalainen

• Anathan "ana" Pham

• Alexander "Torontotokyo" Khertek

Approximately 10% of Dota 2 esports players enjoy playing Valorant in their spare time. Many see in the game a mix of Dota 2 and CS2, which allows not just shooting but also skillfully using character abilities and building complex combinations. This aspect was particularly noted by Dota 2 world champion Yatoro.

In conclusion, it can be said that for some reason, well-known Dota 2 players almost never play League of Legends, which is also an extremely popular MOBA worldwide. Perhaps this is because the game is considered significantly easier than Dota 2. It is also possible that esports players are trying to avoid streaming or advertising a direct competitor to Valve in the MOBA genre.

Discover more about the latest developments in competitive gaming by browsing our other research. Stay informed on how esports continues to shape modern entertainment.