MOBA games are a mix between an RTS and an MMORPG. Players control a hero or champion in an attempt to destroy the enemy team’s base. Marvel Super War doesn’t really bring anything new to the genre but it is still a fun comic book-inspired romp. Tencent’s Arena of Valor has a polished experience for mobile devices, with 5v5 and 3V3 matches as well as several game modes.
Gameplay
MOBAs are a fairly new gaming genre to mobile, but they’ve gained a huge following in the time that they’ve been on the market. They’re a type of multiplayer online battle arena game where players control a champion, or hero, to compete against other teams in real time.
While picking up a moba for the first time may seem simple enough (pick a champion, destroy enemy base) it will quickly become apparent that mastering this type of game is far more complex than that. There’s a lot to take in, including learning all of the different champions, their abilities and roles, understanding the map and its hidden buffs, bushes and corners and figuring out how spawn times work. Fortunately, there are some great MOBAs out there that can help players with this, and one of the best is HotS. It has a much easier learning curve than LoL, a more streamlined gameplay experience and a less toxic community.
Characters
MOBAs pit two teams of players against each other on a battlefield to destroy their opponent’s base. Each player controls a hero, often called a god, champion, or hero, with a set of unique abilities that improve as they level up and gain experience in combat. There are some heroes who have the ability to grab enemies, a move that can be game-changing in the hands of a specialist. The downside to this is that these characters are prone to being easy targets for marksmen and need to be well-positioned to avoid being easily picked off.
Some heroes have an aura that buffs their teammates. Others have a skill that lets them switch which aura they use, fitting it to their team’s needs. Other heroes have a pet that follows them around, acting as an extremely durable tank and allowing them to be more mobile than most. There are also some heroes that can use their ultimate in a different way depending on whether they are in melee or at range.
Items
Moba games are complex, and it takes a significant investment to learn the game. This includes learning all the champions/heroes, their abilities and items. It also requires an investment in learning the strategies and tactics. In addition, the item system is constantly changing. New items are introduced, old ones get reworked, and a hero’s interactions with other heroes may change dramatically in a single patch. Moreover, players have to farm gold in order to build their items and keep them up to date.
For example, Mercury’s Treads is a defensive item that provides +45 movement speed and magic resist. This is a common item for mid and junglers that need to stay ahead of their opponents in the laning phase. It is also used by assassins to protect them against burst damage. It is an expensive item that needs to be bought in a late-game situation. It is worth it, however, as it can save a player from death during the lane phase.
Leveling Up
The leveling-up mechanic in game moba can be a bit frustrating. You will inevitably encounter players who are too powerful, whether in the campaign or the tower, and they will give you a run for your money. The problem is that they aren’t overpowered because of a lack of skill; they’re just leveled up. Thankfully, Blizzard has changed this by making gold unavailable for hero leveling and replacing it with experience. However, this does create a situation where the hero level rather than player skill determines a match’s outcome.
One of the best ways to level up your champion is by participating in World Tier 3 Helltides, which spawn every couple of hours and offer Sacred Legendary items. Another way is to level up through the campaign, which offers a good amount of XP per play through. Lastly, you can also choose to spend your XP on picking talents which are modifications of a hero’s abilities; this can give them more damage or crowd control, for example.
Conclusion
From humble beginnings as a mod for Starcraft, the MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) subgenre has become a core part of gaming and eSports. While many require a great deal of mechanical skill and time investment to play, others are a bit more beginner-friendly.
