Everyone strives for a comeback, but sometimes the odds are just too stacked against you in Dota 2. Knowing when to surrender is an important skill to have.
Surrendering is a relatively new addition to Dota, introduced in 2022. In the past, players had to endure a losing game until the end, no matter how bleak the situation seemed. Now, if all players in your party agree, you can move on to the next match quickly and spare yourself the agony of watching your Ancient crumble.
Credit: Dota 2
How to surrender in Dota 2
In a public lobby, surrendering requires unanimous agreement from all team members. It’s easy to call it quits if you’re playing with a full stack of 5, but in solo or duo queues, it’s not possible to end the game prematurely.
While this restriction may be frustrating, it serves a purpose. In Dota, a team faces a significant disadvantage if a player leaves the match. By ensuring that solo players can’t surrender arbitrarily, the game promotes a more dedicated and competitive environment.
To initiate the surrender option, follow these steps:
Open all chat by pressing shift + enter as default
Type “gg” or “good game” and send the message, or use the chat wheel to select the “gg” option
Ensure all teammates on your side follow suit.
Why choose to surrender in Dota 2?
Dota is renowned for its potential comebacks, where teams can overturn a bad start with strategic gameplay. However, comebacks require time and a bit of luck. In some cases, the struggle is just too overwhelming, or the game isn’t enjoyable anymore. Valve allows surrendering without penalty, as long as you stay until the Ancient falls and the match officially concludes.
Although saying GG or Good Game can be accidental, it rarely occurs in esports matches. There have been instances of GG said jokingly in competitions, either as a meme or in an “offensive GG” manner. Most often, it’s communicated through the chat wheel, but it always adds some excitement for the casters.
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