Games Like League of Legends: 8 MOBAs and Team Games

The closest game to League of Legends is Dota 2: same three-lane map, same farming and item logic, only more demanding. If you want to ease off a bit, Heroes of the Storm or Pokémon Unite keep the teamfights with shorter matches. We also added picks for players who love Riot's world or the five-stack competitive grind.

Why League of Legends is so hard to put down

League of Legends launched in 2009 from Riot Games and runs on a simple, endless idea: two teams of five, three lanes, towers to knock down and a Nexus at the end. Every match starts from scratch. You farm, buy items, level up, and it all comes down to a few teamfights where good positioning decides everything.

What keeps so many people hooked is the depth. A huge roster of champions, very different roles (top, jungle, mid, ADC, support) and a meta that shifts every patch. You never stop learning. That's also why you sometimes want a breather without leaving the genre completely.

How to pick an alternative

Ask yourself three things. More depth or less? Dota 2 goes further, Heroes of the Storm and Pokémon Unite simplify. Shorter matches? Mobile MOBAs and Unite often run half as long. And do you love the genre itself or the competitive team spirit? If it's the second, a tactical shooter or an auto battler can scratch the same itch as a ranked game.

1. 

   1. Dota 2

   2013

   The genre's big sibling, made by Valve. Same structure as LoL with more systems on top: denying creeps, a complex jungle, heroes whose powers often feel outrageous. The learning curve is steep. If LoL ever feels too shallow, this is where you go next, and there's always more to master.

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2. 

   2. Heroes of the Storm

   2015

   Blizzard's MOBA, starring heroes from Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo and Overwatch. There's no item shop and experience is shared by the whole team, so you think as a group from minute one. Each map has its own objective. Matches are shorter and built around fights rather than farming.

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3. 

   3. Smite

   2014

   A third-person MOBA where you play gods from different mythologies. You aim your abilities yourself, like in an action game, and that changes the whole feel. The basics stay close to LoL: lanes, minions, items. Perfect if you want the same game plan seen through a completely different camera.

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4. 

   4. Pokémon Unite

   2021

   A friendlier MOBA where Pokémon take the place of champions. Matches are short, you score by dunking energy into enemy goal zones, and your Pokémon evolve during the game. Great for playing with friends who have never touched LoL, while still keeping the fun of a proper teamfight.

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5. 

   5. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

   2016

   The MOBA built for your phone, with a three-lane map and roles that feel very close to LoL. Matches are quick and you're in within seconds. If you want to keep your laning and teamfight instincts sharp on the bus, it's one of the most popular picks in the genre.

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6. 

   6. Supervive

   2025

   A top-down mix of MOBA and battle royale. You pick a hunter with a set of abilities, play in a small squad and try to survive to the end on a shrinking map. It keeps LoL's fight reading and skillshots, but every match plays out like a different story.

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7. 

   7. Teamfight Tactics

   2019

   Riot's strategy game set in the League universe. You don't control your champions: you buy them, place them on a board and they fight on their own. It's all about synergies and economy. A great side door if you enjoy the theorycrafting in LoL more than the mechanics.

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8. 

   8. Valorant

   2020

   Riot's five-versus-five tactical shooter. Not a MOBA, but the same culture: agents with abilities, roles to fill, a demanding ranked ladder and lots of comms. If what you love about LoL is winning a tight match together, the spirit here is exactly the same.

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FAQ

What game is most similar to League of Legends?

Dota 2 is the closest: same three-lane map, same farming, items and towers to destroy. It's more demanding. Smite also follows the structure but puts the camera behind your character, which changes how it feels without changing the game plan.

Is there a MOBA easier than LoL?

Yes. Heroes of the Storm removes items and shares experience across the whole team, which makes decisions much simpler. Pokémon Unite is even more approachable, with short matches and a scoring goal that's easy to understand. Both are great for beginners or for relaxed sessions.

What's a good League of Legends alternative on mobile?

Riot has its own mobile version of the MOBA, but Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is still one of the most played on phones. It keeps the three lanes, the roles and the teamfights, with faster matches that fit nicely into short sessions.