SirActionSlacks and streamer Tyler1 debated the pros and cons of Dota 2 and League of Legends
Esports event host Jake “SirActionSlacks” Kanner and streamer Tyler “Tyler1” Steinkamp compared Dota 2 and League of Legends during a broadcast of the Esports World Cup 2026.
On the mechanics of character turn delay
Tyler1: Dota 2 has built-in lag.
SirActionSlacks: Built-in lag?!
Tyler1: The turning speed—that’s built-in lag. It’s a joke of a game. You know why it’s there? Not for “balance between melee and ranged heroes”—it’s just that you’re clueless, you have no micro, you have no mechanics.
<...>
SirActionSlacks: Listen, turn speed is very important—it’s called “skill”: you need to be able to plan and keep track of what’s happening [After saying this, he threw a shoe across the room. — Ed.]. This guy didn’t even turn around!
Tyler1: You threw a boot?!
SirActionSlacks: You’re not paying attention to what’s going on. That’s because you’re from the “League”—you just don’t get it. But it’s no big deal.
On the buyout mechanic
Tyler1: In Dota 2, you can buy your way out.
SirActionSlacks: You can. It’s called “spending money.”
Tyler1: It’s called “you messed up, here’s your get-out-of-jail-free card.”
SirActionSlacks: No, no, no—it’s just that in Dota 2, players spend in-game currency, not real money, to buy a $500 autograph they never needed in the first place.
On the popularity of Dota 2 and League of Legends
Tyler1: For years, this game has remained one of the most popular games in the world.
SirActionSlacks: Yeah, things were pretty good until Mobile Legends: Bang Bang came out.
Tyler1: That’s not true. And in Dota, it’s mostly just Europeans.
SirActionSlacks: True, there aren’t that many players in Dota 2, and your game is way more popular. I totally agree with that. After all, lots of people eat fast food instead of going to three-Michelin-star restaurants.
Tyler1: So now we’re insulting all of America?!
SirActionSlacks: I’m not insulting America!
Tyler1: We’re talking about all the players in the “League.” What about players from Korea?
SirActionSlacks: Where from?
Tyler1: From Korea.
SirActionSlacks: Oh, that’s where Faker’s from, right?! Man, Faker! What other pro players do you guys have?
Tyler1: Listen, I don’t know of any Dota players who are nearly as popular. Nobody watches that game.
SirActionSlacks: And that’s fine. If a lot of people were promoting Dota 2, players from League of Legends would come over to us. Do you think I want to play with them?
Tyler1: But you need players for matchmaking. Right now you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel—it takes 25–30 minutes to find a match.
SirActionSlacks: Well, you’ve got me there. I could back down right now, but unlike “LoL” players, I’m no coward, so let’s keep going.
About voice chat
SirActionSlacks: I’m impressed. You’re a good debater for someone who can’t talk in their own game.
Tyler1: I can.
SirActionSlacks: You can’t.
Tyler1: They’re going to add voice chat soon.
SirActionSlacks: They’re adding it?! Will there be match replays, too?
Tyler1: Soon.
SirActionSlacks: Guys, we need to spend more money on buying heroes, and as soon as the developers are done with the fighting game and the card game...
Earlier, OG co-founder Sebastian “Ceb” Debs shared Valve’s position, which he learned about through conversations with company employees: “They’ve always told me and others that they aren’t an esports company and never will be.”
Photo: Valve.
Kirill Alexandrov
