If you have spent any time in the trenches of public matchmaking, you have likely encountered a dizzying array of nicknames for the same hero. After years of playing and analyzing the evolution of Dota, I have compiled this reference to help you decode the shorthand used by veteran players. Understanding these aliases is essential for effective team communication, as quick callouts often rely on these community-standardized names rather than the formal titles found in the hero selection screen.
The following list categorizes heroes by their official lore names and classes, alongside the common aliases you will hear in voice chat and text logs. Note that some abbreviations overlap (such as "SK" for both Sand King and Skeleton King), so context—such as the current game meta or team composition—is always your best guide.
Heroes - Proper name, class, commonly referred to as:
- Abaddon, the Lord of Avernus: LoA, Abaddon, Avernus
- Aggron Stonebreaker, the Ogre Magi: Ogre Magi, Ogre
- Aiushtha, the Enchantress: Enchantress, Enchant
- Akasha, the Queen of Pain: QoP, Queen
- Anub'arak, the Nerubian Assassin: Nerub, NA
- Anub'seran, the Nerubian Weaver: Nerub, Weaver
- Atropos, the Bane Elemental: Bane
- Azwraith, the Phantom Lancer: PL, Lancer, Azwraith
- Balanar, the Night Stalker: NS
- Banehallow, the Lycanthrope: Lycan, Bane, Wolf
- Barathrum, the Spiritbreaker: SB, Cow
- Black Arachnia, the Broodmother: Spider, Brood, BM
- Bone Clinkz, the Bone Fletcher: Clinkz, Bone, Fletcher
- Boush, the Tinker: Tinker
- Bradwarden, the Centaur Warchief: Centaur, Brad, Cent
- Chen, the Holy Knight: Chen
- Crixalis, the Sand King: Sand King, SK
- Darchrow, the Enigma: Enigma, Nigma
- Darkterror, the Faceless Void: Void, Faceless, Darkterror, FV
- Demnok Lennik, the Warlock: Warlock
- Ezalor, the Keeper of the Light: KotL, Keeper
- Furion, the Prophet: Furion, Prophet
- Gondar, the Bounty Hunter: BH, Bounty
- Harbinger, the Obsidian Destroyer: Harbinger, OD, Obs
- Jah'rakal, the Troll Warlord: Troll
- Jakiro, the Twin Head Dragon: Jakiro
- Kardel Sharpeye, the Dwarven Sniper: Sniper
- Kel'Thuzad, the Lich: Lich
- King Leoric, the Skeleton King: SK, Leo
- Knight Davion, the Dragon Knight: DK
- Krobelus, the Death Prophet: DP
- Lesale Deathbringer, the Venomancer: Veno, Venom
- Leshrac the Malicious, the Tormented Soul: Leshrac, Lesh
- Leviathan, the Tidehunter: TH, Levi, Tide
- Lina Inverse, the Slayer: Lina, Slayer
- Lion, the Demon Witch: Lion
- Lucifer, the Doom Bringer: Doom, Lucy
- Luna Moonfang, the Moon Rider: Luna
- Magina, the Anti-Mage: AM, Magina
- Magnus, the Magnataur: Magnus
- Mangix, the Pandaren Battlemaster: Panda
- Medusa, the Gorgon: Dusa, Medusa
- Mercurial, the Spectre: Spectre, Spec, (also, residing from older versions: Vengeance, Avatar, AoV)
- Mogul Kahn, the Axe: Axe
- Morphling, the Morphling: Morphling, Morph
- Mortred, the Phantom Assassin: PA, Mortred, Mort
- N'aix, the Lifestealer: Naix
- Nessaj, the Chaos Knight: CK, Chaos
- Nevermore, the Shadow Fiend: Nevermore, Fiend
- Nortrom, the Silencer: Silencer
- Pudge, the Butcher: Pudge, Butcher
- Pugna, the Oblivion: Pugna
- Purist Thunderwrath, the Omniknight: Omni, Omniknight
- Raigor Stonehoof, the Earthshaker: Earthshaker, ES
- Razor, the Lightning Revenant: Razor
- Razzil Darkbrew, the Alchemist: Alch
- Rexxar, the Beast Master: Rexxar, BM
- Rhasta, the Shadow Shaman: Rhasta
- Rigwarl, the Bristleback: Bristle, BB, Rigwarl
- Rikimaru, the Stealth Assassin: Riki, SA
- Rooftrellen, the Treant Protector: Roof, Tree
- Rotund'Jere, the Necrolyte: Necrolyte
- Rylai Crestfall, the Crystal Maiden: CM, Rylai, Crystal
- Shandelzare Silkwood, the Vengeful Spirit: VS, Venge
- Slardar, the Slithereen Guard: Slardar
- Slithice, the Naga Siren: Siren
- Squee and Spleen, the Goblin Techies: Techies
- Strygwyr, the Bloodseeker: BS, Strygwyr, Blood, Seeker
- Sven, the Rogue Knight: Sven
- Syllabear, the Lone Druid: Sylla
- Terrorblade, the Soul Keeper: TB, SK
- Tiny, the Mountain Giant: Tiny
- Traxex, the Drow Ranger: Drow
- Ulfsaar, the Ursa Warrior: Ulfsaar, Ursa, Fuzzy-Wuzzy
- Viper, the Netherdrake: Viper
- Visage, the Necro'lic: Visage, Necrolic
- Vol'Jin, the Witch Doctor: Witch Doctor, WD
- Yurnero, the Juggernaut: Jug, Jugger
- Zeus, the Lord of Olympia: Zeus