Dota

Recommended router for DOTA fanatics

Jan 14th

If you share your internet connection at home and find yourself unable to host DOTA/Warcraft 3 games on Battle.net, it’s probably because you don’t know how to configure your router. Router configuration can be tricky business.

I used to use a D-Link router and for some strange reason, I can only host games with the DMZ mode in operation. I can’t seem to forward the Warcraft 3 ports properly. DMZ mode isn’t exactly recommended because of security issues.

However, it looks like I found a cure with the new router I bought. I moved out of my old place and had to get a new router for my new home, so I went shopping at Sim Lim, went into a shop and asked for their cheapest wireless router (my wife uses a laptop so a wireless router is necessary). I ended up bringing home TP-Link’s WL-G642.

To my pleasant surprise, configuring the router to host games on Battle.net was surprisingly simple. In the Port Triggering section under the Forwarding menu in the router admin panel, there is drop-down menu for common applications that require port forwarding. Guess what? One of the common applications is Battle.net!

I selected that option and all the necessary configuration was done. I logged onto Battle.net and could host games without turning on the DMZ mode. So, if you need a router that is simple to configure to host games on Battle.net, get this one. It’s quite cheap too. I got it for 55 bucks with 3 years warranty.

I’ve had experience configuring my old D-Link router so I could operate this one without reading the user guide. If you’re new to router configuration, the user manual is quite easy to understand. There are several levels of security options and the wireless signal strength is excellent. Apparently, the wireless transfer speed can go up to 108Mbps, although 54Mbps is quite sufficient. For 55 bucks, this router is certainly the most value for money compared to the more established router brands like D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, SMC etc.

Losing streak

May 29th

Posted by Aaron Ng in Dota

3 comments

Sian. Lost 4 DoTA games in a row on Gxleague.

I’ve yet to figure out exactly why, but it seems like a combination of factors. Competition inexperience, lack of teamwork and inability to stay calm perhaps all contributed to the losses.

I was chastised by a fellow team mate for coming down too hard on another team mate. Well, I recognise that people do make mistakes, but I seriously find repeated mistakes unacceptable. It’s hard to excuse yourself when many deaths are caused by staying out alone for extended periods of time, causing enemies to jump you with at least 3 heroes. I mean, even in normal public games, people know better than to stay out for extended periods of time, what more in competition?

I suppose competition brings about pressure and thus making people more prone to making mistakes, all the more so when there’s insufficient practice as a team. I suppose that everyone has to learn how to handle pressure and not let it overwhelm one such that one makes irrational decisions.

Oh well, I just hope that even if my team lacks teamwork and experience, at least we should try not lack nerves. At least by staying composed, taking lesser risks and slowly farming, we can keep pace with the opposing team in terms of leveling and farming. If we can’t even keep pace with leveling and farming, I think we’re definitely done for.