How to have the best keybinds and hotkeys in Dota 2

Just having a brilliant strategic mind in Dota 2 won't cut it. The players will also need to have lightning-fast reflexes. A perfect BKB usage, a well-timed stun, or a fantastic Blink initiation or a TP cancel can be the pivotal moment between victory and defeat.

To streamline these lightspeed interactions, Valve has implemented the use of keybinds – a customisable keyboard shortcut for Dota 2. These are commonly known as hotkeys in Dota 2, and they've been a core part of the game since its origin in the classic Defence of the Ancients mod.

In Dota 2, nearly every action, from camera movements to casting abilities to using items, can be assigned using a hotkey. This guide will walk you through setting up the best keybinds and hotkeys in Dota 2. By customising your controls to suit your playstyle, you’ll enhance your gameplay experience and boost your chances of securing victory.

How to customise Keybinds and Hotkeys in Dota 2

Now that you have figured out what keybinds and hotkeys are in Dota 2, let's customise them to your playstyle.

Where to find the settings menu in Dota 2.

To get started, open the Settings menu in Dota 2. It's located on the top right corner and has a gear icon. You'll land on the Hotkeys tab by default. In this menu, you'll see your keybind setup along with a visual of the Dota 2 default HUD skin.

Under the section labelled as Abilities and Items on the right side, you'll notice your keybind setup in Dota 2. The default hotkeys for most heroes are as follows:

• 'Q' for the first ability
• 'W' for the second ability
• 'E' for the third ability
• 'R' for the ultimate ability

However, for heroes with more than four abilities, you'll notice the D and F keys assigned to them for their fourth and fifth abilities.

Default hotkeys in Dota 2

To set up a new keybind for abilities in Dota 2, click on the ability you want to set up the hotkey for.

• A 'Bind Hotkey' prompt will appear.
• Press your preferred key on your keyboard.
• Then click on the Confirm button to save your new keybind for the hotkey.

How to keybind Hotkeys for Inventory slots in Dota 2

In the same menu, you can also set the keybinds to use items in your hero's inventory. The hotkeys for item slots in Dota 2 have default keybinds such as Z, X, C, V, B and N.

Just like abilities, items also play a crucial part in Dota 2. Whether it's popping BKB in the crucial time, or using Blink to initiate fights, or using a Glimmer Cape to save your core from an unexpected gank. Thus, it's essential to keybind your preferred hotkeys to inventory slots in Dota 2 depending on your hand position and comfort.

Key Bind for hotkeys in Dota 2

Fortunately, setting up the hotkeys for items in the inventory slots has the same procedure as binding the hotkeys for abilities in Dota 2.

To set up a new keybind for an item in inventory slots in Dota 2, click on the inventory slot you want to set up the hotkey for.

• A 'Bind Hotkey' prompt will appear.
• Press your preferred key on your keyboard.
• Then click on the Confirm button to save your new keybind for the hotkey.

What is Quick Cast in Dota 2

In Dota 2, there's a feature called Quickcast which speeds up the use of the abilities and items, even if you've already customised your hotkey.

This feature allows players to skip a step in the casting process, allowing a much faster reaction time. Normally, players need to press the ability hotkey, then move the cursor to the location and click on the target or area. However, with Quickcast enabled, the ability or the item is instantly cast at the position of the cursor, as long as it's within the range, and players will only have to press the hotkey.

Quickcast may be a valuable feature in the game. However, it also comes with its setbacks. It can lead to mistakes, especially for players who lack experience. Without precise cursor control, Quickcast may cause players to fire the abilities in the wrong directions or at the wrong targets.

This factor is more crucial with point-target abilities, where a wrong cast can result in a missed stun or a wasted ultimate. As a result, it could give the opponent a window to crush your team.

Nevertheless, when customised hotkeys are combined with a solid Quickcast, players can execute their heroes' abilities effortlessly and seamlessly in Dota 2. Mastering these features will allow players to have a more efficient and instinctive play style in their games.

What are Legacy Keys

Dota 2 also has a feature that makes the original DOTA players transition to the game smoother. By enabling Legacy Keys, players can use the hotkeys that were found in the original Warcraft III mod.

Where to find the legacy keys in Dota 2

For longtime Dota players, this will make the gameplay experience much more comfortable. Nevertheless, the players will still need to manually keybind a hotkey for their inventory slots in Dota 2, as those are not included in the legacy key configuration nor in the original Dota.

The Best Keybinds and Hotkeys Setup

In addition to having keybinds for the hotkeys and inventory slots in Dota 2, there are other features that players should consider having a keybind set up for. The common actions Attack, Hold and Stop have a default keybind of A, H and S. However, you can customise them to suit your preference and comfort.

Legacy Keys for WindRanger in Dota 2

Having a hotkey for the Directional Move feature is also highly recommended. It allows for more precise control of the hero, enabling more precise control for certain abilities such as Shadow Fiend's Raze.

Overall, having customised keybinds for hotkeys is a crucial aspect of Dota 2. Doing so can help enhance your comfort and effectiveness in-game.

One of the best methods players often use to bind hotkeys for items in the inventory slot is by using a combination with the Alt key, like "Alt+Q". This eliminates the process of overlapping with other keys and makes activating items such as BKBs or Glimmers much swifter.

Directional Move in Dota 2

This method is also much more intuitive because in Dota 2, Ctrl+ Ability Key (e.g. Ctrl+Q) is the default shortcut for levelling abilities. By having the same base keys for both items and abilities but with a different modifier key, players only need to remember a single set of keys, which makes their inputs much faster and more efficient. Other popular keys used for hotkeys in Dota 2 include Spacebar, Tab and Capslock.

Don't hesitate to experiment with different hotkeys. You can always reconfigure them as your skill evolves in Dota 2. The most important thing to remember when playing the game is to have fun. So, if your current setup does not allow you to do so, make it right. Don't worry about your performance – it will follow as soon as you find your comfort.