Interpreting the Communication Score in Dota 2
Valve introduced the communication score in 2023 as a tool to rate your in-game interactions, which makes it different from the already existing Behavior Score. Whereas your Behavior Score measures the number of bad deeds such as griefing or intentional feeding, the communication score is about the content of your in-game chat and voice.
The penalties for low scores also vary. If the Behavior Score is low, a player can lose post-game item drops, pausing, and ranked matchmaking. On the other hand, a low communication score will limit your interaction with pings, tips, and, finally, both text and voice communication. It can also go up to text and voice mutes with all forms of communication restricted to a 30-second break.
Ways to Increase Your Communication Rating in Dota 2
Since a low communication score has such dire consequences, it is necessary to do something to increase it. Here are some effective strategies:
1. Embrace Silence
The saying that ‘the best defense is an offense’ does not apply to Dota 2; rather, ‘the best defense is no defense at all’ is more appropriate. Thus, you reduce the chances of having a bad encounter by avoiding the use of voice communication and concentrating on the game. Your teammates may just think you are out of mic range and will not be expecting you to be constantly talking.
To make this approach even more effective, you can avoid talking during the match and use only the ‘gl hf’ (good luck, have fun) at the beginning of the match and pings for important signals. After the game is over, a brief ‘ggwp’ (good game well played) can go a long way in reducing tension and even get you a commendation from your team.
2. Mute Everyone
If your communication score is below 6000, it is time for more radical actions. Silencing all the players – friends and foes – can save you from aggressive communication and eliminate any quarrels that can worsen the situation.
Although this may seem rather drastic, it enables you to solely concentrate on the game and not the unpleasant comments. The only thing you should not forget is to use standard pings and cooldown notifications to let your teammates know about important moments in the game.
But, there are many players on Dota 2 Reddit who believe that positive communication is more helpful than no communication at all. Thus, when you have reached the desired level of stability in the score, it is possible to use this approach in combination with positive interactions to further enhance the result.
Final Thoughts
As you have seen, it is not very difficult to improve your communication score in Dota 2. If you keep a PMA and follow these steps, you will be on your way to achieving a score of 10,000 or even more. Regardless of the approach – no communication, negative communication, or positive communication – the focus should be maintained and the negative communication traps avoided.
Ready to dive into Dota betting? Check out our comprehensive ranking of the best Dota 2 betting sites. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just starting, our list will guide you to the most rewarding platforms for your bets.