A quick guide to Auto Chess, the popular new Dota 2 game mode
The hype around Dota 2 custom game Auto Chess continues to build. But just what is it all about?
Since its January 4 release, the new custom game has generated significant attention around the Dota 2community. New players have even installed Dota 2 just to play the custom game. Developer Drodo Studio consistently maintains interest around the game with its regular balance updates and content additions.
Auto Chess is a turn-based strategy game using Dota 2 heroes and abilities as chess pieces. The goal is to create the strongest units that synergize well with each other, winning fights and eventually staking a claim as the last courier standing.
A good understanding of the game’s classes, species, and economy is a key component in winning the battle.
There are ten classes in the game: Assassin, Demon Hunter, Druid, Hunter, Knight, Mage, Mech, Shaman, Warlock, and Warrior. Each class can be very strong against a specific lineup, but each can also be countered.
Classes greatly synergize with species types to maximize buffs and best utilize abilities. There are 15 species in the game: Beast, Demon, Dragon, Dwarf, Elementals, Elf, Goblin, Satyr, Human, Ogre, Orc, Naga, Troll, Undead, and God.
Players can mix and match classes and species based on the hero roles that were made available for them.
Some of the most contested classes are Warrior, Knights, and Mage. Recently, Assassins were highly prioritized due to a recent buff. However, the Assassins’ perk was then rebalanced and players immediately saw a decline in the class’ success.
The God species is the newest type and is tricky to best utilize, but a combination of strong units can make it look overpowered. Gods reduces up to 75% of ability cooldowns if there are no species buffs activated in the player’s field. This limits players to use only class synergies to successfully pull off a Gods lineup.
Some notable class/species combos to start with are Troll/Knight, God/Mage, Goblin/Mech, and Hunter/Warrior.
Overall Auto Chess player ranks are, in order of advancement, Pawn, Knight, Bishop, Rook, King, and Queen. Players ranked at Queen are the top players in the leaderboard.
This up and coming game is clearly making huge strides just a few months after its release.
With its huge player base already established and still growing, the esports scene of Auto Chess is also starting to look promising. Twitch Rivals boasted a $25,000 prize pool for its second and latest edition of Twitch Rivals Auto Chess.
The AutoChess subreddit on social platform Reddit provides the community of players with a place to share tips and discuss gameplay. This is also a great avenue for beginners to learn from more advanced players.
Read Also
Dota 2
Team Yandex stop the magic, defeating LGD in BLAST Slam VII finals
Michael Hassall
Team Yandex have defeated LGD Gaming in the grand finals of BLAST Slam VII in a dramatic 3-1 series that saw both teams pushed to the limit, but ultimately Yandex come out on top. Concluding the last major tournament before teams head to the Esports World Cup and The International 2026 next month and in August, Yandex were able to counter the momentum of LGD that had brought them into ...
Dota 2
BLAST Slam VII Finals Predictions and Picks – Can LGD make it all the way?
Michael Hassall
LGD Gaming in the top three of a tournament!? What is this 2021? BLAST Slam VII has been one of the most surprising tournaments of the year, and has capped off the pre-EWC and TI season with some of the most thrilling gameplay we’ve seen in months. And the finals are set to be even more exciting. With just three teams left there’s a lot on the line, from the ...
Dota 2
Easiest Dota 2 Heroes for Beginners – Best Picks to Learn the Game
Simon Day
We can all agree that Dota 2 is a complex game, but starting with the right heroes can make the learning process much smoother. Choosing one of the best Dota 2 heroes for beginners is key to building your skills and enjoying your matches. That’s why it’s time to explore the heroes that are easy to understand, effective in the game and great for learning the fundamentals. Without going into ...
Dota 2
BLAST Slam VII Playoffs Preview – Visa issues transform the playoff picture
Michael Hassall
BLAST Slam VII is the last major tournament before teams lock-in and compete at the EWC and The International, and as a result, we’re seeing a tournament with some unique outcomes. With teams seemingly treating this as a last-minute tune-up before the championship clashes of the next two months, a South American team has topped the table and some of the best teams in the world are either without players ...
Dota 2
TI-Champions Tundra Esports exit Dota 2 as roster transfers to 1win
Michael Hassall
Tundra Esports has revealed it’s leaving Dota 2 after six years and a victory at The International 2022. The UK-based organization has announced its roster will transfer directly to 1win for future events. The announcement, posted on Tundra's socials on June 1, confirms rumors and earlier social posts from 1win which hinted at a new lineup. With the move, however, questions about 1win’s existing EEU roster and attendance at The ...
Dota 2
A full weekend of TI15 tickets will cost you just $280 – If you don’t mind the view
Michael Hassall
Alongside the team invites for The International 2026, Valve today (May 26) unveiled the pricing and details of how to purchase tickets for TI15, and the price is the lowest in years. For years we’ve seen the price of The International Prize, with a peak of around $700 as a lowest price for a full weekend for both 2023 in Seattle, and 2024 in Copenhagen. But after a fall in ...
Dota 2
Valve has announced the TI15 invites: Here’s why some team names are very different
Michael Hassall
It’s around three months until The International 2026, TI15, and Valve has just unveiled the direct invites and qualifier invites to the event, but eagle-eyed fans will notice some strange names in the team lists. Valve unveiled the invites in the small hours of the morning on May 26 (late evening on May 25 for their HQ in Bellevue, Washington), detailing the seven direct invites, regional qualifier invites, and some ...
