The world of Dota: where the Ancients came from

A short take on the legend behind every match: why two sides fight over the Ancients and where the heroes come from.

The Primordial Mind and the Mad Moon

• According to the legend told in Arc Warden's biography, in the beginning there was a single Primordial Mind. It split into three: Zet, Radiant and Dire. Radiant and Dire were irreconcilable enemies, and Zet locked them in a prison that became a moon — the Mad Moon.
• The prisoners kept fighting inside. The moon cracked and shattered, and its fragments fell on the world below. The largest of them became the Ancients — living sources of Radiant and Dire power.

Why the heroes fight

• Each Ancient changes the land around it and draws those who seek power, revenge or answers. That is why gods, demons, engineers, beasts and mages meet on one map, each with their own reason to pick a side.
• A Dota 2 match is one episode of this endless war: victory means destroying the enemy Ancient.

Where to read the heroes' stories

• Every hero in the knowledge base has a page with Valve's official biography, ability descriptions and the short lore lines that go with them. Start with your favourite hero — many biographies refer to other characters and events of the world.
• All heroes