How to Create a 1v1 Lobby in Dota 2: Commands, Cheats and Settings

A 1v1 lobby in Dota 2 lets you duel a friend, practice the mid lane or test a specific hero matchup. You do not need a Workshop map or third-party software: create a private lobby, select 1v1 Solo Mid and join opposite teams. This guide explains which settings to use for a fair match and how to enable Dota 2’s built-in cheat commands for practice.

How to Quickly Start a Dota 2 1v1 Lobby

For a standard duel without additional rules, follow these steps:

1. Launch Dota 2 and select Play Dota.
2. Open the custom lobby section and select Create Lobby.
3. Set a password so that no one else can join the match.
4. Choose 1v1 Solo Mid as the game mode.
5. Select a server that gives both players acceptable ping.
6. Invite your friend through Steam or send them the lobby name and password.
7. One player should join the Radiant slot and the other the Dire slot.
8. Select Start Game and choose your heroes.

The 1v1 Solo Mid mode allows both players to select the same hero. This is useful when you want to compare execution on Shadow Fiend, Puck, Queen of Pain or another midlaner without a matchup advantage.

Menu labels and locations may change slightly after client updates, but the usual path remains Play Dota > Custom Lobby > Create Lobby.

Best Lobby Settings for a Fair 1v1

Before starting the match, open the lobby settings and check the following options.

Do not choose a server based only on the lobby host’s ping. If the players are in different countries, use a region where the latency is reasonable for both.

How to Win a Dota 2 1v1

The standard 1v1 Solo Mid mode is designed as a short test of laning skill. A player wins by being the first to complete either of these conditions:

• Kill the opposing hero twice.
• Destroy the enemy mid Tier 1 tower.

You can agree on different rules for a custom series, for example, first blood, a best-of-three set or tower destruction only. The important part is to establish the win condition before the lobby starts.

A common ruleset for a practice 1v1 is:

• Both players select the same hero.
• Play only in the mid lane.
• Do not enter the jungle or side lanes.
• Do not collect runes if the rules prohibit them.
• Do not transfer items or use assistance from other units.
• The first player to score two kills or destroy the Tier 1 tower wins.

If 1v1 Solo Mid is temporarily unavailable or you need custom rules, select All Pick. The game will not automatically enforce the duel in this mode, so both players must follow the agreed lane boundaries, rune rules and win condition.

How to Enable Cheats in a Dota 2 Lobby

In Dota 2, the word “cheats” can refer to Valve’s built-in practice commands as well as prohibited third-party software. The built-in commands let you add gold and items, increase hero levels, remove cooldowns or spawn creeps instantly.

To enable built-in practice commands:

1. Create a custom lobby.
2. Open Edit Settings.
3. Turn on Enable Cheats.
4. Save the settings and start the match.
5. Press Enter to open all chat.
6. Enter a command with a hyphen at the beginning, such as -gold 5000.

Enable Cheats must be turned on before the match begins. If commands do not work, return to the lobby, check the setting and start a new game.

Built-in practice commands work only in compatible custom lobbies. They provide no advantage in ranked or unranked matchmaking and are unrelated to third-party software that violates the game’s rules.

Essential Dota 2 Lobby Cheat Commands

Enter the commands below in the in-game chat. Every command must begin with a hyphen.

For most 1v1 practice sessions, five commands are enough: -startgame, -gold, -lvlup, -item and -refresh.

Commands for Adding Items

After -item, use the item’s internal ID rather than its display name. The ID is written in Latin characters and usually begins with item_.

Examples:

• -item item_blink - Blink Dagger
• -item item_black_king_bar - Black King Bar
• -item item_ultimate_scepter - Aghanim’s Scepter
• -item item_travel_boots - Boots of Travel
• -item item_ward_observer - Observer Ward
• -item item_ward_sentry - Sentry Ward

If the item does not appear, check its internal name. Some IDs differ from the item’s full English display name.

How to Create a Hero or Additional Target

The -createhero command spawns the selected hero. It also requires the character’s internal name:

-createhero npc_dota_hero_axe

Add enemy to create the hero for the opposing team:

-createhero npc_dota_hero_axe enemy

Examples of internal hero names:

• Shadow Fiend - npc_dota_hero_nevermore
• Queen of Pain - npc_dota_hero_queenofpain
• Nature’s Prophet - npc_dota_hero_furion
• Clockwerk - npc_dota_hero_rattletrap
• Windranger - npc_dota_hero_windrunner

This command is useful for testing damage, spell range and item interactions, but it is usually unnecessary for a standard duel with a friend.

Do You Need the Console for a Dota 2 1v1 Lobby?

No. You can create a 1v1 and use the main practice commands through the game menus and chat. The console is only necessary for more advanced tests, developer commands or custom binds.

To enable it, open Dota 2’s advanced settings and assign a key to Console in the advanced hotkey options. Alternatively, add -console to Dota 2’s launch options in Steam.

Officially documented developer commands include:

• dota_dev hero_level 10 - add ten levels to the selected hero
• dota_dev hero_teleport - move the selected hero to the cursor location
• dota_create_unit <name> - create a unit at the cursor location

These commands also require an environment where cheats are allowed. Their chat equivalents are usually more convenient for ordinary practice.

Best Setup for Your Dota 2 1v1

For a classic 1v1, create a private lobby, select 1v1 Solo Mid, set a password and join opposite teams. Keep cheats disabled when you want a fair test of laning skill. To test levels, builds or spell mechanics, turn on Enable Cheats and use -gold, -lvlup, -item, -refresh and -wtf.

A duel can help you understand a specific matchup, but it does not represent the full strength of a professional Dota 2 team. Drafts, coordination, roster form and the current meta also shape competitive results.

Win probabilities and tournament analysis for professional Dota 2 matches are available on Winio.