Yes, Dota 2 does have controller support. Valve has even released an official FAQ on how to set it up.
Playing Dota 2 with a controller is generally not recommended if you have a traditional PC setup with a mouse and keyboard. The game requires quick reactions and precise movements, which are difficult to achieve with a joystick. However, if you still want to try it, here’s a guide:
How to Play Dota 2 on Controller:
- Left Stick: Move your hero;
- Right Stick: Move the camera; click to recenter on your hero;
- Face Buttons (X, Y, A, B): Hotkeys for the four skills of a typical hero;
- R1 and R2: Select different pages of skills and items;
- D-pad: Select various shortcuts in the hero UI to level up abilities, purchase items, and open the shop.
Selecting the right targets accurately can be challenging. Hold L1 or L2 to select different types of units nearby, such as creeps, buildings, or heroes. Any attacks or abilities will target the locked unit first, but you can cancel this by moving the camera.
How to Enable Controller Support in Dota 2:
1. Enable Steam Input in the Steam app;
2. In the Dota 2 client, go to Options;
3. Select Advanced Options and enable experimental controller support.
Alternatively, you can add a command in the launch options. In the Steam app, open your game Library, right-click on Dota 2, select Properties, and add ‘+dota_disable_controller_support 0’ in the launch options.
Does Dota 2 Run on Steam Deck?
Yes, Dota 2 runs on Steam Deck. Any controller supported by Steam Input should work, including Steam Controller, Xbox controllers, PlayStation controllers, Switch Pro, and PC gamepads.