These are the top 5 plays in the history of Dota 2

Dota 2 has a long, exceptional history when it comes to esports but only a handful of plays are truly memorable, and we’ve gathered the top 5 plays in the history of Dota 2 into one place.

All esports have a bit of a problem when it comes to the sheer density of content. It’s impossible to watch everything and after a point, there are so many exceptional moments that they become mundane. Even still, a handful of plays over the years have been so extraordinary that they live on forever.

Here are the definitive top 5 plays in Dota 2 history, and what makes them so unique.

TI3 Memories: Dream Coil for Million by s4

The Million Dollar Coil seals Alliance’s TI3 win

It doesn’t get much bigger in Dota 2 than a comeback win in game five of The International. NaVi was beating down Alliance’s mid barracks when Alliance made a desperation push down the top and bottom lanes. NaVi took the mid melee barracks and opted to return home to repel the push.

Gustav “s4” Magnusson’s Puck prevented that retreat by hitting three NaVi players with a Dream Coil. This prevented them from teleporting home, allowing Alliance to take two lanes of barracks. The resulting momentum swing allowed Alliance to take the map, the series, and the $1.4 million top prize at the TI3.

The International Archives – Liquid vs. LGD

Bulba’s pops off after defeating LGD Gaming at TI3

A great part of Dota 2 history, a meme-making game, and Sam “Bulba” Sosale’s emotional and energetic outburst on winning an eliminator against LGD. This showdown had it all.

Team Liquid was one of the most popular organizations in all of esports and its North American roster was effectively the “home team” at The International 2013. With a raucous crowd behind them, the squad led by Michael “ixmike88” Ghannam scored a major upset against LGD Gaming.

The best-of-one victory was capped by a massive pop-off by Bulba, who tossed off his headset, rushed out of his booth, and met the crowd.

Dota 2 – EG Champions of TI5

The Six Million Dollar Echo Slama-jama

Saahil “Universe” Arora’s $6,000,000 Echo Slam on Earthshaker catapulted Evil Geniuses to the championship at The International in 2015.

EG already had CDEC Gaming on the back foot, but were closing in on a series-clinching victory in game four of the series. A successful gank on Syed “SumaiL” Hassan gave CDEC a glimmer of hope and the team looked to start building momentum by killing Roshan. Universe’s hard read of that Roshan attempt set up one of the most iconic moments in Dota 2 esports history.

With all five CDEC players cramped into the Roshan pit, Peter “ppd” Dager gave Universe vision with Ancient Apparition’s ultimate. Universe followed it up with an Echo Slam that set up a devastating team wipe. From there, Evil Geniuses took firm control of the game and took the 3-1 series victory to win The International 2015.

$11.000.000 Axe Call CEBBB – GRAND FINAL TI8 OG VS PSG.LGD

Ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeb!

OG was in a terrible spot ahead of The International 2018 after the sudden departure of captain Tal “Fly” Aizik and offlaner Gustav “s4” Magnusson. The team found a surprising replacement for both when longtime coach Sebastien “Ceb” Debs put down the clipboard to return to action.

That return didn’t just yield a championship and shatter years of superstitions regarding Dota 2 esports. It also resulted in one of the game’s most memorable plays.

Ceb made the play of a lifetime on Axe during a game against PSG.LGD. With most of his team dead, he hit a three-man Berserker’s Call to set up a shorthanded team fight win. The iconic, lengthy call of “CEEEEEEEEEB” made it even more memorable.

OG vs NEWBEE – BRUTAL SAVAGE REKT!!! – TI9 THE INTERNATIONAL 2019 DOTA 2

Ana’s carry Io sets up embarrassing “GG” call from Newbee in TI9

OG’s dominant run at The International 2019 is legendary stuff for Dota 2 fans, but it’s the little things that made it a special run. Ahead of their match, Newbee’s Johan “pieliedie” Åström described OG’s strategies as “goofy.” OG seemingly took offense to that and decided they wouldn’t just beat Newbee with goofy strategies. They would embarrass them.

Part of that goofy strategy was building Anathan “ana” Pham building Io as a carry. The second part was still utilizing Io’s support abilities to let Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen’s Bristleback simply sit in the Newbee fountain, soaking up damage and melting any heroes that spawned with quills.

This made for a demoralizing defeat for Newbee as OG stood in their fountain, planting banners until pieliedie gave them the “ok, gg” call.