* ActingForTwo: Despite having well over a hundred different heroes, there are scarcely more than ten or twenty voice actors to give them all voices. While some of these are fairly obvious (Anti-Mage, Beastmaster, Necrophos and Warlock are all voiced by Sam A. Mowry, and sound like the same person at different ages), quite a few are very surprising (Crystal Maiden, Drow Ranger, Enchantress, Mirana, Phantom Assassin, Spectre, and Vengeful Spirit are all voiced by Gin Hammond). This can reach its peak when certain Heroes give responses after killing others.
--> '''Nature's Prophet (voiced by Eric Newsome), after killing Leshrac (also voiced by Eric Newsome):''' [[http://hydra-media.cursecdn.com/dota2.gamepedia.com/2/29/Furi_rival_04.mp3 Leshrac, now the earth splits you.]]
** With the addition of Earth Spirit, it is now possible to play a match where all 10 heroes are voiced by Creator/NolanNorth (and as the cherry on top, one of those ten is Ogre Magi, who has two different voices that talk to each other regularly); if that wasn't enough, Meepo also got an announcer pack, meaning you can have a game where Nolan North provides commentary over two teams of Nolan North. And with the addition of Underlord, you can have a team (Abaddon, Bristleback, Skywrath Mage, Timbersaw, and Underlord) voiced by TJ Ramini.
** Techies is composed of three characters. All of them are voiced by Creator/DeeBradleyBaker with varying voice levels.
* ActorAllusion:
** Tinker is voiced by Harry S. Robins, who has done numerous voices for Creator/{{Valve|Software}}'s hit FirstPersonShooter series, VideoGame/HalfLife. Many of his [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTHHZ7IiOWw lines]] make reference to, if not direct quotations from, the series.
** Lich has a particularly specific line when casting ''Sacrifice'':
-->'''Lich (casting ''Sacrifice''):''' [[http://dota2.gamepedia.com/images/d/d6/Lich_ability_ritual_02.mp3 "I'll]] [[Memes/TeamFortress2 POOTIS]] [[http://dota2.gamepedia.com/images/d/d6/Lich_ability_ritual_02.mp3 soul to use."]]
** Similarly to Tinker in the above example, Oracle quotes the G-Man in ''VideoGame/HalfLife2: Episode 2''. Both are voiced by Micheal Shapiro.
-->'''Oracle:''' [[WhamLine Prepare for unforeseen consequences.]]
** The Monkey King in the trailer is voiced by Creator/MatthewMercer, who also voiced the same character for ''VideoGame/HeroesOfNewerth'', though he used his usual BaritoneOfStrength with no funny monkey noises to differentiate.
** The voice actor for the Monkey King in the Chinese language version of ''Dota 2'' is Li Shihong, who is one of the many voice actors for Sun Wukong in the 1986 ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journey_to_the_West_(1986_TV_series) Journey to the West]]'' television series, considered to be one of the finest ''Literature/JourneyToTheWest'' adaptations in the Chinese-language area.
* AscendedFanfic: It's a stand-alone remake to a ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' mod. Many of the characters are ''Warcraft III'' characters or units with the SerialNumbersFiledOff.
* DuelingWorks: The rivalry between ''Dota 2'' fans and ''VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends'' fans is possibly the bloodiest and most-hateful in gaming history.
* DummiedOut: The Stalker and Drakken (originally Jungle Stalker and Dragonspawn) Ancient creep camps, which were removed in the transition from ''[=DotA=]'' to ''Dota 2'', were all modelled and had their abilities coded, but were never actually allowed to spawn in the game itself.
* FountainOfExpies: It's difficult to deny Pudge's influence in the MultiplayerOnlineBattleArena community. He is by far the most copied hero for many MOBA games thanks to his iconic, dreaded skill combo of 'hook your enemy to your side and then pin them down in place while beating the crap out of them'. Other games' heroes and champions like [[VideoGame/LeagueOfLegends Blitzcrank]], [[VideoGame/HeroesOfNewerth Devourer]], [[VideoGame/HeroesOfTheStorm Stitches]], [[VideoGame/HonorOfKings Zhong Kui]] (not the one from ''VideoGame/{{Smite}}''), [[VideoGame/ArenaOfValor Grakk]], [[VideoGame/MobileLegendsBangBang Franco]], and many others with their chain hook skills owe their existence to Pudge.
* OfficialFanSubmittedContent:
** Puck was the winning submission of a contest to create a hero based on the Faerie Dragon unit in ''Warcraft III''.
** Most of the cosmetic item sets for heroes are created by the community. Creators submit their sets to the Steam Workshop, and if Valve approves them they are added to the game. A portion of the items' sales goes to the creator.
* TheOtherDarrin:
** ''VideoGame/{{Dota 2}}'' is actually the last work done by Creator/DavidScully, while he isn't dead, he hasn't been seen ever since he voiced the heroes at 2013. Hence, in other works like ''VideoGame/DotaUnderlords'' and in case of Arcana, his roles were replaced by others (Bane has no replacement by the virtue of having no Arcana or appearing in other works):
*** Juggernaut is inherited by WWE wrestler Wrestling/SamoaJoe, who also provides his new Arcana voiceover.
*** Sven is inherited by Creator/FredTatasciore ([[ActingForTwo also the voices of]] Disruptor, Spirit Breaker, Treant Protector, Undying and Ursa)
*** Sand King and Morphling are inherited by Jack Daniel
*** Dazzle is inherited by Creator/DarinDePaul
*** Weaver is inherited by Creator/JasonSpisak
** Zig-zagged with Creator/BarryDennen (Phantom Lancer, Chaos Knight and Rubick) who passed away in 2017. While Phantom Lancer hasn't reappeared or gotten an Arcana, Rubick got an Arcana but Valve decided to just use his old voicelines with added extra effect to respect Barry's passing. However, Valve still reassigned Chaos Knight to Creator/DarinDePaul for ''VideoGame/DotaUnderlords'' due to the need for new voice lines.
* TheOtherMarty: Monkey King was voiced by Creator/MatthewMercer during his trailer and Bill Millsap in the actual game.
* SerialNumbersFiledOff: Many Heroes have had their names changed from their initial iterations since they bear similarities to characters from Blizzard franchises (the main issue coming from the Blizzard-Activision merger making lawsuits a very real possibility):
** Brewmaster was previously Pandaren Brewmaster. Due to the Pandarens being a ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' race, the "Pandaren" was removed and his design was shifted to resemble the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_panda red panda]].
** Similar to the above, the three Spirits (Storm, Ember and Earth) used Pandaren models in the original [=DotA=], and had their designs changed to more closely resemble humans. In the case of Earth Spirit, who was created long after Dota 2 became its own game, his [=DotA=] model was still a Pandaren for the sake of consistency.
** Lich was originally Kel'Thuzad, the arch-lich from the ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' series. Three of his spells were taken from the eponymous ''Warcraft III'' hero, and all received name changes: ''Frost Nova'' became ''Frost Blast'', ''Frost Armor'' became ''Ice Armor'', and ''Dark Ritual'' became ''Sacrifice''.
** Magnus is referred to as Magnataur in the game files. The Magnataur are a race in the ''VideoGame/{{Warcraft}}'' universe, so the Magnoceros race was created in its place.
** Nature's Prophet had the name "Furion" in [=DotA=], being a shortened version of "Malfurion Stormrage," a prominent ''VideoGame/WarCraft'' character.
** Necrophos was originally known as Necrolyte (and is still referred to as such in the game files).
** Outworld Devourer's original name was ''Obsidian Destroyer'', based on a ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' unit, so his initial Dota 2 name was ''Outworld Destroyer''. It was ''very'' briefly changed to ''Outworld Demolisher'', and then again changed to ''Outworld Devourer'' before going back to ''Outworld Destroyer''. Some fans jokingly refer to him as ''Ongoing Developer'' due to this.
** Windranger was originally known as Windrunner. The change came due to Windrunner being the surname of a prominent family of heroes in the ''VideoGame/WarCraft'' universe. In [=DotA=], Windranger was actually Alleria Windrunner, but used Sylvanas Windrunner's in-game model.
** Wraith King was originally Skeleton King, who was based on the Diablo character King Leoric. The entire Frostivus 2013 event was created around the complete change in his appearance.
** Cairne Bloodhoof the Tauren Chieftain was changed completely in character concept and became Elder Titan.
** Thrall, the protagonist of the Orc campaign from ''Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos'', was simply named after his title, Disruptor.
** Rounding off the Horde trio, Rexxar the Beastmaster became Karroch the Beastmaster. Rexxar was the main protagonist for the Orc campaign of the ''Warcraft III'' expansion pack, ''The Frozen Throne''.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Tiny was, at one point, slated to have a bird companion named "Little Roc." However, this was left on the cutting room floor and all voicelines referencing Little Roc were DummiedOut.

[[folder:List of Hero Release Order: The Original DOTA Allstars]]
* Original release set:
** Crystal Maiden
** Drow Ranger
** Lich
** Lina
** Lion
** Razor
** Shadow Shaman
** Sven
** Vengeful Spirit
** Slardar
** Faceless Void
** Viper
** Venomancer
** Nature's Prophet (Furion/Prophet)
** Pugna
** Doom
** Chen
** Riki (Rikimaru)
** Queen of Pain
** Wraith King (Skeleton King)
** Death Prophet
** Silencer
** Nyx Assassin (Nerubian Assassin)
** Visage
** Magnus
* Released in the year 2004 (simultaneous release is in one bullet together)
** Terrorblade
** Anti-Mage, Sniper, Omniknight, Dragon Knight, Clinkz, Lycan, Chaos Knight, Phantom Assassin, Luna
** Medusa
** Zeus, Leshrac, Juggernaut, Lifestealer, Bounty Hunter, Naga Siren, Techies (Goblin Techies)
** Morphling
** Pudge, Night Stalker, Brewmaster (Pandaren Brewmaster)
** Troll Warlord, Centaur Warrunner (Centaur Warchief)
** Broodmother, Lone Druid
** Treant Protector
** Tidehunter
** Ursa, Bane
** Necrophos (Necrolyte), Sand King, Tinker, Ogre Magi, Keeper of the Light
* Released in 2005
** Axe, Dazzle, Earthshaker, Enigma, Tiny, Enchantress, Shadow Fiend, Weaver (Nerubian Weaver), Bloodseeker, Phantom Lancer
** Spirit Breaker, Bristleback
** Invoker
** Abaddon
* Released in 2006
** Witch Doctor, Spectre
** Beastmaster, Jakiro, Outworld Destroyer (Obsidian Destroyer)
** Warlock, Alchemist
** Mirana
* Released in 2007
** Meepo
** Storm Spirit, Dark Seer, Huskar, Undying, Templar Assassin, Underlord (Pit Lord)
** Puck
* Released in 2008
** Clockwerk
** Windranger (Alleria/Windrunner), Kunkka
* Released in 2009
** Batrider, Elder Titan (Cairne/Tauren Chieftain)
** Ancient Apparition, Slark
* Released in 2010
** Shadow Demon, Gyrocopter, Io, Disruptor (Thrall)
** Tusk (Tuskarr), Phoenix
* Released in 2011
** Rubick
** Timbersaw (Goblin Shredder), Skywrath Mage, Ember Spirit, Legion Commander
* Released in 2012
** Winter Wyvern, Arc Warden
* Released in 2013
** Earth Spirit, Oracle
[[/folder]]

[[folder:List of Hero Release Order: Dota 2]]
* Original release set:
** Crystal Maiden
** Drow Ranger
** Lich
** Lina
** Lion
** Razor
** Shadow Shaman
** Sven
** Vengeful Spirit
** Anti-Mage
** Zeus
** Morphling
** Pudge
** Tidehunter
** Necrophos
** Sand King
** Axe
** Dazzle
** Earthshaker
** Witch Doctor
** Mirana
** Storm Spirit
** Puck
** Windranger
* Released in 2011:
** Slardar
** Enigma
** Faceless Void, Viper, Tiny
** Venomancer
** Nature's Prophet, Clockwerk
** Sniper, Dark Seer
** Pugna, Beastmaster
** Leshrac, Enchantress, Shadow Fiend
** Tinker
** Weaver
** Night Stalker
** Spectre, Ancient Apparition
** Doom
** Chen
** Juggernaut
** Bloodseeker, Kunkka
** Riki
** Queen of Pain, Wraith King, Broodmother
** Jakiro, Huskar, Batrider
** Omniknight, Dragon Knight
** Warlock
** Alchemist
** Lifestealer
** Death Prophet
** Ursa
** Bounty Hunter
* Released in 2012:
** Silencer, Spirit Breaker
** Invoker
** Clinkz
** Outworld Devourer
** Bane
** Shadow Demon
** Lycan
** Lone Druid
** Brewmaster
** Phantom Lancer
** Treant Protector
** Ogre Magi
** Chaos Knight, Phantom Assassin
** Gyrocopter
** Rubick
** Luna, Io
** Undying, Disruptor
** Templar Assassin
** Naga Siren
** Nyx Assassin, Visage, Keeper of the Light
** Meepo
** Magnus
** Centaur Warrunner
** Slark
** Timbersaw
* Released in 2013:
** Medusa
** Troll Warlord
** Tusk
** Bristleback
** Skywrath Mage
** Elder Titan
** Abaddon
** Ember Spirit, Earth Spirit
** Legion Commander
* Released in 2014:
** Terrorblade, Phoenix
** Techies
** Oracle
* Released in 2015:
** Winter Wyvern
** Arc Warden
* Released in 2016:
** Underlord
** Monkey King
* Released in 2017:
** Pangolier, Dark Willow
* Released in 2018:
** Grimstroke
* Released in 2019:
** Mars
** Snapfire, Void Spirit
* Released in 2020:
** Hoodwink
* Released in 2021:
** Dawnbreaker
** Marci
* Released in 2022:
** Primal Beast
* Released in 2023:
** Muerta
%%* Released in 2024:
%%** Ringmaster
[[/folder]]