As of patch 7.39d, Dota 2 features 126 heroes, but not all of them are suitable for new players. To get started more comfortably, it’s best to pick best beginner Dota 2 heroes with straightforward abilities and strong impact in games. Below is a list of 10 of the most reliable and easy Dota 2 heroes to help you start confidently.

Wraith King

Wraith King remains one of the simplest and most forgiving heroes in Dota 2. His abilities — stun (Wraithfire Blast), critical strikes (Mortal Strike), and resurrection (Reincarnation) — provide a huge margin for error. Bone Guard helps with lane pushing and farming.

Pros:

• Very simple skill set.
• High survivability thanks to ultimate.
• Useful at all stages of the game.

Cons:

• Mana-dependent for Reincarnation.
• Slow attack animation.
• Vulnerable to mana burn.

Sniper

Sniper is one of the most popular ranged heroes for beginners. Take Aim and Shrapnel allow him to deal damage from a safe distance, while good positioning is key to survival. Items like Hurricane Pike or Shadow Blade help avoid danger.

Pros:

• Long attack range.
• Great for learning positioning.
• Consistent damage output.

Cons:

• Very low mobility.
• Easy target for gap-closing heroes.
• Relies on items for survivability.

Ogre Magi

Ogre Magi is a great support choice for new players. He is tanky, has a straightforward stun (Fireblast), and a strong team buff (Bloodlust). Multicast adds unpredictability and enhances abilities and items.

Pros:

• Extremely durable for a support.
• Useful at all stages of the game.
• Easy-to-use abilities.

Cons:

• No large-area crowd control.
• Slow movement speed.
• Poor farming potentia

Bristleback

Bristleback is a forgiving offlaner who takes reduced damage from behind and the sides. Constant Quill Spray spam and slows from Nasal Goo make him a lane bully.

Pros:

• Very tanky with good positioning.
• Strong lane pressure.
• Easy to learn.

Cons:

• Limited crowd control.
• Requires stacks for maximum damage.
• Vulnerable to disarm and silence.

Abaddon

Abaddon can be played as both offlaner and support. Aphotic Shield removes debuffs, Mist Coil heals allies or damages enemies, and Borrowed Time prevents death by converting damage into healing.

Pros:

• Extremely hard to kill.
• Flexible role usage.
• Abilities protect and heal teammates.

Cons:

• Low damage without items.
• Borrowed Time can be wasted accidentally.
• Requires good timing for saves.

Shadow Shaman

Shadow Shaman offers strong crowd control with Hex and Shackles, while Mass Serpent Ward destroys structures quickly. Ether Shock is useful for harassment.

Pros:

• Multiple disables.
• Strong pushing potential.
• Useful at all stages of the game.

Cons:

• Very slow.
• Vulnerable to focus fire.
• Long casting animations.

Lion

Lion combines two disables, mana drain, and a powerful burst ultimate (Finger of Death) capable of killing key targets instantly.

Pros:

• Two reliable disables.
• High single-target burst damage.
• Can sustain mana in fights.

Cons:

• Very fragile.
• Easy to catch without mobility items
• Requires good positioning.

Juggernaut

Juggernaut offers magic immunity through Blade Fury, team healing via Healing Ward, and lethal damage with Omnislash. He’s a solid choice for new carry players.

Pros:

• Magic immunity skill.
• Can heal the team.
• Strong in pushing and team fights.

Cons:

• Weak against illusion heroes.
• Omnislash needs proper control to be effective.
• Loses impact in long fights without items.

Viper

Viper dominates lanes with constant poison damage and slows. His aggressive playstyle is easy to learn and punishes passive opponents.

Pros:

• Strong lane dominance.
• Continuous damage output.
• Simple, aggressive gameplay.

Cons:

• Very low mobility.
• Dependent on a strong early game.
• Vulnerable to long-range carries.

Drow Ranger

Drow Ranger slows enemies with Frost Arrows, deals AoE damage with Multishot, and silences casters with Gust.

Pros:

• High ranged damage.
• Simple mechanics.
• Effective in pushing.

Cons:

• Extremely vulnerable in close combat.
• Strongly dependent on positioning.
• Weak early game.