MOBA stands for "multiplayer online battle arena." It is a game genre. Two teams of five players fight to destroy the enemy base. Each player controls one hero. They kill minions, earn gold, and buy items. The genre was born from a mod for Warcraft III called Defense of the Ancients. It became a giant. League of Legends and Dota 2 are the biggest.

MOBAs are complex. They have hundreds of heroes. They have items, abilities, and roles. They have a steep learning curve. They also have a huge esports scene. Millions of people watch the World Championships. The games are free to play. The cosmetics cost money. The genre is a business.

Related terms

• Hero: the character you control.
• Lane: the paths minions follow.
• Jungle: the area between lanes.
• Pentakill: killing all five enemies.

MOBAs are not for everyone. They are stressful. They are toxic. They are also deeply rewarding. A perfect teamfight is a symphony. A comeback victory is a rush. The genre has shaped online gaming. It is not going away. It is still growing.