Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, this timer is completely safe and Valve ToS compliant! The overlay does not interact with game files, modify game memory, or provide any automated gameplay advantages.

It's a passive timing tool that runs separately from Dota 2, similar to having a stopwatch or notes on your second monitor. Professional players use similar timing methods, and this tool simply makes that information more accessible.

The app only displays publicly available game timing information - nothing that gives you an unfair advantage over other players.

The core timer is free to download and use.

• No ads

• No ads or selling personal data

• Core stack, rune, Roshan, and custom timers stay available

• Optional Pro Monthly is $4.99/month

• Optional Pro Annual is $39.99/year

Public releases and issue tracking are hosted on GitHub. Paid Pro is for power-user saved-profile and draft picker workflows: additional saved profiles, import/export/duplication, unlimited draft analyses, saved hero pools, patch/tournament data, lane controls, and in-game hero selection automation.

We built the free core for the Dota 2 community and use Pro to make continued maintenance sustainable.

Both versions provide core timer functionality, but the desktop app offers desktop-specific features:

Desktop App Advantages:

• Always-on-top overlay that stays visible over Dota 2

• Global hotkeys that work even when the game is in focus

• Offline functionality - no internet required after installation

• Better performance and lower resource usage

• Custom audio file support

• Persistent settings across sessions

• Multi-monitor positioning with memory

Web Version Benefits:

• No installation required

• Works on any operating system with a browser

• Accessible from mobile devices

• Instant updates without downloading

• Great for trying out before downloading

For serious players, we recommend the desktop app for the best experience. The web version is perfect for casual use, learning, or testing.

Yes! DotaSense works perfectly alongside Dota Plus.

Both tools are completely independent and complement each other:

• Dota Plus provides in-game hero suggestions, item builds, and statistics

• DotaSense provides external timing alerts for camps, runes, and objectives

• They don't interfere with each other at all

• You can use both simultaneously without any issues

Many players use both tools together to maximize their game knowledge and awareness. The timer handles time-based events while Dota Plus focuses on hero-specific guidance and analytics.

Currently, the app is available in English. However, we're actively working on localization:

Planned Languages:

• Chinese (Simplified & Traditional)

• Russian

• Spanish

• Portuguese

• German

• French

• Korean

• Japanese

Help Us Translate:

We welcome translation feedback. If you're fluent in another language and want to help make the app accessible to more players, please open a GitHub issue with the language and suggested copy.

The timer display uses numbers and icons which are universally understood, but we want to make the interface and settings available in your language.

For personal ranked games and casual play, absolutely yes!

For official tournaments and competitive events:

• Check with tournament organizers first

• Most tournaments have specific rules about third-party tools

• Some allow it, some don't - always verify

The tool itself is legal and safe to use, but tournament-specific rules may vary.

Yes! The timer works with all standard Dota 2 game modes:

• All Pick

• Captain's Mode

• Random Draft

• Single Draft

• All Random

• Turbo Mode (with adjusted timings)

• Custom Games (may vary)

The timings are based on standard Dota 2 mechanics. For Turbo mode, some events happen faster - the timer accounts for these differences when you select Turbo mode in settings.

The timer synchronizes with Dota 2's in-game clock through a manual start trigger:

How It Works:

• Press the Start button (or hotkey) when the game horn sounds at 0:00

• The timer then counts from 0:00 matching the in-game clock

• It automatically calculates all spawn times based on Dota 2's mechanics

• The timer accounts for game pauses if you manually pause it

Important Notes:

• The app does NOT automatically detect game state (this would violate Valve's ToS)

• You must manually start/stop the timer at the beginning/end of each game

• The timer stays accurate as long as the game isn't paused in-game

• For paused games, use the pause hotkey to keep the timer synced

Pro Tip:

Set up a hotkey for starting the timer so you can quickly activate it right at 0:00 without alt-tabbing. Many players bind this to an easily accessible key combination like Ctrl+Shift+S.

Yes! The desktop app has excellent multi-monitor support:

• Position the overlay on any connected monitor

• It will stay on top even when Dota 2 is on a different screen

• Perfect for dual-monitor setups

• Remember your position between sessions

Recommended Setup:

• Play Dota 2 in borderless window mode on your primary monitor

• Place the timer overlay on your secondary monitor

• This gives you full visibility without any in-game obstruction

• Use the drag-to-reposition feature to place it anywhere you want

Many players prefer to have Dota 2 on their primary monitor and the timer overlay on a second screen for easy visibility without any interference. You can also place it in a corner of your main monitor if you only have one screen.

Yes! DotaSense is designed to work alongside other popular Dota 2 tools and applications:

Compatible Tools:

• Overwolf apps (Dota Plus, DotaBuff overlay, etc.)

• Streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, XSplit)

• Discord overlay

• Performance monitoring tools

• Communication apps (TeamSpeak, Mumble)

Why It Works:

• Our app doesn't hook into Dota 2 game files

• It runs as an independent overlay

• No conflicts with other legitimate third-party tools

• Lightweight design ensures minimal performance impact

Note on Screen Capture:

If you're streaming, the overlay will appear in your stream capture when using Display Capture. To hide it from stream, use Game Capture mode in OBS or add the timer window to your streaming software's exclusion list.

You can fully customize audio alerts to match your preferences:

Volume Control:

• Use the volume slider in settings to adjust alert volume

• Set different volumes for different alert types

• Master volume control affects all alerts

Custom Sound Files:

1. Open Settings and go to "Audio"

2. Click "Custom Sounds" for any timer

3. Select your own audio file (MP3, WAV, or OGG)

4. Test the sound and save

Alert Timing:

• Choose when alerts play (at spawn, 10s before, 30s before, etc.)

• Enable/disable alerts for specific events

• Set visual-only alerts if you prefer no sound

• Configure pre-alerts for strategic preparation

Advanced Options:

• Create different sound profiles for different roles (support, carry, mid)

• Enable text-to-speech for countdown announcements

• Set priority levels for overlapping alerts

Recommended sound formats: MP3 (best compatibility) or WAV (best quality). Keep sounds short (1-3 seconds) for minimal distraction.

The desktop app supports global hotkeys that work even when Dota 2 is in focus:

Default Hotkeys:

• Ctrl + Shift + S - Start/Stop game timer

• Ctrl + Shift + R - Reset all timers

• Ctrl + Shift + H - Hide/Show overlay

• Ctrl + Shift + M - Mute/Unmute sounds

Customizing Hotkeys:

1. Open the app settings

2. Navigate to the "Hotkeys" section

3. Click on any hotkey to record a new key combination

4. Press your desired key combination

5. Save changes

Note: Hotkeys are only available in the desktop app, not the web version.

Not as a native mobile app, but the web version works on mobile devices:

Mobile Web Access:

Visit the web timer through your mobile browser (iOS Safari, Chrome, Firefox). The interface is responsive and works on phones and tablets.

What You Can Do on Mobile:

• Learn camp and rune spawn timings

• Practice timing awareness away from your PC

• Use as a study tool for understanding game mechanics

• Test different timer configurations

Limitations:

• No always-on-top overlay (mobile OS limitation)

• No global hotkeys

• Must keep browser tab active

• Cannot be used while playing Dota 2 (since it's PC-only)

Use Cases:

Mobile access is great for learning and practice, not for actual gameplay. Many players use it to study spawn timings during their commute or downtime.

For actual in-game use, we recommend the desktop app on the computer where you play Dota 2.

Desktop App (Recommended):

1. Visit the homepage and click "Download Desktop App"

2. Download the Windows installer, macOS DMG, Linux AppImage, or native Windows executable

3. Run the installer or open the package for your platform and follow the on-screen instructions

4. Launch the app and it will appear as an always-on-top overlay

Web Version:

The desktop app is the supported timer experience and provides the best feature set: global hotkeys, always-on-top display, persistent settings, custom audio, and overlay positioning.

Windows: Windows 10 or later (64-bit)

macOS: macOS 10.13 or later on Apple Silicon or Intel

Linux: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, or another desktop distribution with AppImage support

Hardware Requirements:

• 300 MB free disk space

• 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended)

• Any modern processor (Intel/AMD from last 10 years)

• Internet connection for initial download only

The app is very lightweight and should run smoothly on any system that can run Dota 2.

Common Solutions:

Timer not starting:

• Make sure you click "Start Timer" when the game begins

• The timer syncs with actual game time, not real-world time

• Check that hotkeys are properly configured

Overlay not appearing:

• Check if "Always on Top" is enabled in settings

• Try restarting the app

• Make sure Dota 2 is not in exclusive fullscreen mode (use borderless window)

• Verify the overlay isn't positioned off-screen

Sounds not playing:

• Check volume settings in the app

• Verify your system volume is not muted

• Try switching to default sounds if using custom audio

• Check Windows sound mixer isn't muting the app

App crashes or won't start:

• Update to the latest version

• Restart your computer

• Reinstall the app

• Check antivirus isn't blocking the app

• Run as administrator (Windows only)

Performance Issues:

• Close unnecessary background applications

• Reduce overlay transparency/effects in settings

• Update your graphics drivers

If issues persist, please report them on our GitHub issues page with details about your system and the problem.

We maintain the app with regular updates to ensure compatibility and add new features:

Update Schedule:

• Patch updates: As needed when Dota 2 game mechanics change

• Feature updates: Monthly to quarterly, based on community feedback

• Security updates: Immediately when necessary

• Bug fixes: Within 1-2 weeks of confirmed reports

What Triggers Updates:

• Major Dota 2 patches that change game timings

• New camp spawn mechanics or map changes

• Community feature requests with high demand

• Bug reports and fixes

• Performance improvements

How to Update:

• Desktop app: Automatic update notifications (or check "About" section)

• Web version: Updates automatically - just refresh your browser

Stay Informed:

• Watch our GitHub repository for release notes

• Check the changelog in the app's About section

• Follow update notifications in the app

We're committed to keeping the app current with the latest Dota 2 patches and community needs.

We love hearing from our community! Here's how to contribute:

Bug Reports:

1. Visit our GitHub repository

2. Search existing issues to avoid duplicates

3. Click "New Issue" and select "Bug Report" template

4. Include:

• Your operating system and version

• App version number (found in About section)

• Steps to reproduce the bug

• Expected behavior vs actual behavior

• Screenshots or video if applicable

• Error messages if any

Feature Requests:

1. Go to GitHub Issues

2. Check if someone already requested it (add a thumbs up if so)

3. Click "New Issue" and select "Feature Request" template

4. Describe:

• What feature you want

• Why it would be useful

• How you envision it working

• Any examples from other tools

Quick Feedback:

For quick questions or general feedback, you can also reach us through:

• GitHub Issues for general feedback

• Bug report template for reproducible problems

• Feature request template for product ideas

Product Feedback:

Use GitHub Issues for bug reports, feature requests, and workflow suggestions. Include as much detail as possible so we can reproduce problems and evaluate ideas.

Your feedback helps make this tool better for everyone!