Does Dota 2 run on Linux?
Verdict: Yes
Yes. Dota 2 has its own Linux version on Steam, so it installs and plays like any other Linux game. Its anti-cheat (VAC) works on Linux.
Dota 2 is one of the games Valve ported to Linux itself, and Steam lists a Linux version next to the Windows and macOS ones. It downloads and plays the same way, and your account, custom games and workshop items all carry over.
Valve offers a Vulkan renderer on Linux as well as the default one, and runs a public bug tracker just for Vulkan problems, which held 167 open reports when checked. Vulkan is a choice in the game's own video settings. If the picture goes wrong or the game becomes unstable after a graphics driver update, turning that setting back off is the usual fix.
Dota 2 is an action and strategy game from Valve, first released on 9 July 2013.
It is played co-operatively. Critics scored it 90 out of 100 on Metacritic. It is free to play.
The evidence
- Its own Linux version
- Yes, on Steam
- Player rating on ProtonDB
- Gold, from 356 reports
- Steam Deck (which runs Linux)
- Playable, with small niggles
- Anti-cheat
- VAC: Works on Linux, officially
How to play it
- Install Steam from your Linux app store and sign in. Your library is already there.
- Install Dota 2 and press Play.
New to this? Can I play my games on Linux? explains Proton, anti-cheat and which Linux to pick for games.
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Ratings are reported by players at ProtonDB and anti-cheat status by Are We Anti-Cheat Yet. Both change, so follow the links below for today's picture.
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