The Best MOBA Games Right Now
The MOBA scene thrives as a multi-billion-dollar powerhouse, blending PC depth with mobile accessibility. From Riot’s viewer juggernauts to Garena’s regional titans, these games dominate esports and streaming. Let’s dive into the standouts.
PC Powerhouses Lead the Pack
League of Legends reigns supreme on PC, clocking nearly 49 million viewer hours in a single week early this year across 680,000 streams. Its LCK league in South Korea alone drew 5 million hours, proving its cultural grip. Dota 2 follows as the mechanical masterpiece, with high audience density despite fewer creators—perfect for strategic pros chasing The International’s massive prizes.
Smite 2 shines in the third-person niche with Unreal Engine 5 visuals and crossplay, while Valve’s Deadlock disrupts as a hero-shooter hybrid. Still in alpha/beta, it hit 160,000 peak players and overlaps 42% with Dota 2 viewers, thanks to its 1930s occult vibe and evolving 6v6 lane battles.
Mobile Legends Bang Bang Dominates Globally
Mobile MOBAs explode in Southeast Asia and beyond, with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) as the undisputed champ. It racked up 434 million hours watched in 2025, peaking at over 4 million viewers. Optimized for low-end devices, its 10-15 minute matches fuel grassroots esports like the M7 World Championship in Jakarta, boasting a $1 million prize pool.
Garena Arena of Valor Holds Strong
Garena Arena of Valor (AoV) stands tall as Southeast Asia’s regional beast, leading in Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan. This game boasts 11.6 million active players in 2025, with peaks near 3 million daily. Garena keeps it fresh via events, balance patches like the January 2026 Toro nerf and Moren rework, and pro leagues such as the APL and AIC. Therefore, it’s no surprise that guides to Garena Liên Quân Mobile are prevalent in Southeast Asia. Everybody is playing this game. AoV edges Honor of Kings with faster mobility, Enchantment builds, and collabs like DC Comics heroes. Though accounts don’t transfer, its esports draw huge YouTube and TikTok crowds.
Rising Stars and Wild Cards
Honor of Kings crushes revenue at $2.5 billion annually via gacha events, but trails MLBB internationally. Pokemon Unite carves a casual niche with Pokemon charm and new 2026 regional leagues. Wild Rift offers prestige skins but demands beefier hardware.
Why These MOBAs Rule in 2026
PC giants like League and Dota deliver complexity; mobiles like MLBB and Garena AoV prioritize accessibility on 2-3GB RAM devices. Deadlock hints at hybrids ahead. Toxicity lingers, but innovations like anon modes help.
