What does dire mean?

The dark faction in Defense of the Ancients 2

Dire is a term used in the DOTA video game to refer to the faction whose base is in the top right corner of the map. The other faction is called Radiant whose base is located in the bottom left of the map.

Dire and Radiant are both classified as Nemesis stones that oppose each other. They make up the map in all DOTA 2 matches. Dire boasts a dark theme and spreads corruption, while its opposing force, which is Radiant, has a bright theme.


"For some reason I play better when I'm destroying the Radiant's ancient."
DOTA map with the Dire and Radiant factions

DOTA map with the Dire and Radiant factions

Related Slang


Last Updated: June 22, 2017

Dire definition

This page explains what the slang term "Dire" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slangit team.
