Knowing how to predict how a Dota 2 game will go is a crucial skill that distinguishes the pros from the Archon players. Hence why Immortal-ranked players, who often stream their matches, seem to give up on a game relatively early.
Nevertheless, learning how to predict in Dota 2 can be beneficial for players. Here’s how:
How to predict in Dota 2 (Image credit: Dota 2)
How to Predict in Dota 2
Match predictions in Dota 2 are a Dota Plus subscriber-only feature, which lets you predict the outcome at the beginning of the match. As a Dota Plus subscriber, you can locate the “Predictions” button, located at the top of your mini-map, when a match starts, before the first horn of the game.
Once you confirm your prediction, the ‘Victory Shout’ will display an all-chat message that announces that you have boldly predicted to win the game. Additionally, if you have more than three victories in your prediction streak, an additional message shows how many victory streak you are currently on.
The feature simply serves as bragging rights to your teammates and opponents alike. However, are some rewards in the form of shards. You get 10 shards for one prediction, 20 for two, 30 for three, etc. up to a max of 50 per correct prediction.
Dota 2 predictions. Image Credit: Esports.net
Dota 2 Prediction Guide
Beyond the in-game prediction function can still learn how to predict elements of the game Dota 2. Here’s how:
1. How to predict on Dota 2 hero match-ups
The most basic form of Dota 2 prediction is by looking at the hero picks from both teams. Every Dota 2 hero has some form of weakness and can be countered by another hero. For instance, if your team has invisibility heroes against an opponent with True Sight, such as Slardar or Bounty Hunter. You can predict that the game will be tough for your team.
Additionally, the game’s meta shifts with each new Dota 2 Update, such as the Wandering Waters gameplay update.
2. Predictions on the game’s current state
Predictions based solely on the hero match-ups alone can often be beneficial on its own, especially in low to mid-ranked matches. However, you can take your Dota 2 predictions one step further by observing the state of the game over time.
Understanding how each lane went as early as the first 15 minutes of the game, can tell a lot about whether your team is struggling or doing well. If your team is doing well and keeping up with the levels, it might be a good idea to leverage on that advantage further by pushing the Level 1 towers across each lane. This essentially reduce the amount of safe space that your enemies have to farm, which further widens the gap between your team’s gold and experience lead.
This is crucial because if not taken advantage of, the opponent can regain their momentum when they aren’t disturbed in their progress.
3. How to predict your opponents’ moves in Dota 2
A lot of thought goes into analyzing your opponents’ next moves in the game, so that you can counter them appropriately. Notably, understanding what your opponents plan to do or their heroes’ item build, can enable you to make predictions on your next moves.
Whether it’s to organize a smoke gank or picking up Ghost Scepter to avoid heavy physical damage from the enemy Dota 2 carry player, these crucial moments in the game can decide how your match goes.
With these tips on how to predict in Dota 2, you are already two steps ahead of your opponents. Especially since the typical player often follows the standard item build, predictions are much easier to make, to counter them intelligently.