How to Play Dota 2 on Linux

Dota 2, one of the most popular MOBAs out there, might be considered one of Valve's many successes. However, one thing they fail to do is make it as easy as it should be to run the game on the Linux operating software. Fortunately, we have a way you can play the game on your Linux device without having to go through any loopholes.

To play Dota 2 on Linux, you first have to search for and settle on one Linux distributor. With that done, you then have to install Wine and any potential dependencies to your system. With all of that done, you can install League of Legends from the official website and you should be able to run it as you would on any other Windows device.

If you want a reliable and quick way of running Dota 2 on your Linux device then look no further because that's what we're here for.

What You Need Before Installing Dota 2 on Linux

Before you get started and download Dota 2 to your device, there are a couple of things you need.

A Linux Distributor

When embarking on your Dota 2 journey on Linux, the first step is selecting the right Linux distribution for gaming. Although Dota 2 is playable on various distributions, some offer better support and a smoother setup for gaming purposes.

Among the well-known choices are Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Manjaro. For the purpose of this guide, we'll focus on Ubuntu, given its popularity and ease of use.

Wine

Ah, Wine! A familiar name to every Linux user. Wine acts as a compatibility layer that facilitates running Windows applications on Linux by translating Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly. This means you can seamlessly run a wide range of Windows software, including games, on your Linux distribution.

To begin the installation process, open a terminal on your Linux system. Depending on your distribution, you can find the terminal in the applications menu or by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting "Open Terminal."

Let's assume you're using Ubuntu for this demonstration. To install Wine, input the following commands in the terminal:

sudo apt update

sudo apt install wine

Steam

If you've played Dota 2 before then you'll know that the only way to properly install and run the game reliably is through the Steam client. After all, both Dota 2 and Steam are made by Valve, so it's only expected, right?

So, how do you install Steam on Linus? Well, start by opening the Command Terminal. The shortcut to open the Terminal is Ctrl + Alt + T. Once the Terminal opens, type the following command:

sudo apt install steam

This will proceed to install Steam on your system and once the installation is complete you'll be able to launch it without any issues. With Steam launched, remember to either put in your Steam account login credentials or create a completely new Steam account, since you can download Dota 2 without one.

Downloading Dota 2 on Linux

With all the preparations met, all you have to do now is to download and install Dota 2. Because you've already downloaded and installed Steam, you simply have to run the Steam launcher and ensure you're logged into an account.

Looking near the top of the Steam homepage, you'll see the 'store' option. Click it, and when possible, type 'Dota' in the search bar. This will bring up Dota 2, which you'll have to click on. On the Dota 2 storefront, just click on the install button and that's all you need to do!

The Steam client will now automatically download and install Dota 2, and when it's done installing, you can use that same Steam client to run the game. That's right, no loopholes or extra downloads are required! 

Since you're most likely playing the game for the first time, you might want to check out need-to-know stuff such as what the highest MMR in Dota 2 is and what the best Dota 2 boosting service is for 2023.

Issues Launching Dota 2 on Linux

If you're facing difficulties launching Dota 2 on Linux despite following these steps, there are a few actions you can take to resolve the problem:

Installing Additional Dependencies

It's possible that you need to install certain additional dependencies to run Dota 2 on your Linux system smoothly. For instance, two important dependencies you might want to consider are core fonts and the latest version of Visual C++ runtime.

To address this, you can utilize Winetricks, a convenient script that assists in installing these additional components. If you're using Ubuntu, install Winetricks by running the command 'sudo apt install winetricks.' Once installed, execute 'winetricks corefonts vcrun2022' to install the required dependencies.

Updating Your Graphics Drivers

Having up-to-date graphics drivers is crucial for optimal gaming performance. Depending on your graphics card, ensure you have installed the appropriate drivers for your Linux distribution. For NVIDIA, proprietary drivers are often recommended, while AMD commonly relies on open-source drivers.