MOBA games
A lane-based online battle arena where two teams of heroes try to destroy the enemy base.
What is the MOBA genre?
MOBA matches follow a familiar pattern: Two teams, usually of five, defend bases in opposite corners of the map. Small units march down the lanes, neutral monsters wait in the jungle and the goal is to destroy the main structure of the enemy base. Each player controls a single hero and powers up from scratch over the course of the match.
What keeps the genre going is that every match tells its own story. The hero lineup, the lane setup and which objective is taken at which minute decide the result. Individual skill matters, but it does not win on its own; a MOBA is a team game to the very end.
What defines it?
Every match starts from zero; levels and items only last for that match.
The map splits roles; everyone has an area and a job to take care of.
Dozens of different heroes, each with its own strong and weak matchups.
Objective timing and the angle of team fights matter far more than individual skill.
Landmark games
Well-known examples often used to explain the genre. For the list on our site, see the games section below.
At a glance
MOBA games (3)
Frequently asked questions
What does MOBA stand for?
Multiplayer online battle arena. The genre is almost always referred to by the abbreviation.
Why are MOBAs considered hard to learn?
Because what you have to learn is not one hero but what dozens of heroes can do against each other. Add item systems and the timing of map objectives, and the first months are heavy on knowledge.