Definition:
In DBGs, the mission is to destroy the opposing team's Base, heavily guarded structures at opposing corners of the map. Players use powerful units known as heroes, and are assisted by allied heroes and AI-controlled fighters called "creeps". As in role-playing games, players level up their hero and use gold to buy equipment during the mission.
Each human player must control one Hero, a powerful unit with unique abilities. In DotA-Allstars, players on each side choose one of over 90 heroes, each with different abilities and tactics. The scenario is highly team-oriented; it is difficult for one player to carry the team to victory alone. Although some heroes can change the outcome single-handedly if played correctly.
Because the game play revolves around strengthening individual heroes, it does not require one to focus on resource management and base-building, as in most traditional real-time strategy games (RTS). Killing computer-controlled or neutral units earns the player experience points. When enough experience is accumulated, the player gains a level. Leveling up improves the hero's toughness and the damage it can inflict, and allows players to upgrade their spells or skills. In addition to accumulating experience, players also manage a single resource, in most cases: gold.
The typical resource gathering is based on a combat-oriented money system; in addition to a small periodic income, heroes earn gold by killing hostile units, base structures, and enemy heroes. Using gold, players buy items to strengthen their hero and gain abilities. Certain items can be combined with recipes to create more powerful items. Buying items that suit one's hero is an important tactical element of the scenario.
Most DotA Based Games (DBGs) offer a variety of game modes, selected by the game host at the beginning of the match. The game modes dictate the difficulty of the scenario, as well as whether people can choose their hero or are assigned one randomly. Many game modes can be combined (for example, an easy difficulty level and a random hero pick), allowing more flexible options.
Two games are currently fighting it out for the supremacy in the DBG genre.
VS. 
THE DBG GENRE WARS
CREATORS?
LoL:
LOL's lead designer is Steve "Guinsoo" Feak, the primary developer behind Dota Allstars before Icefrog.
HoN:
The team that brought you Savage and Savage 2, with the blessing of current DOTA developer "Icefrog."
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES IT FROM ICEFROG'S DOTA?
LoL:
The Summoner meta-game, where each match lets you level up a persistent Summoner character. Your Summoner records your win/loss statistics, your Masteries (a WOW-style talent tree that applies passive bonuses in general), your Spells (extra abilities you choose for a match), and Runes (additional bonuses that you outfit for a specific match). Your Summoner also determines when you unlock new Champions.
HoN:
The polish of being a full, stand-alone, and modern game rather than a Warcraft III mod. This is immediately apparent in the gorgeous graphics. Detailed stat tracking, the player's individual PSR (Public Skill Rating), and post-match replay features fuel the highly-competitive atmosphere. DOTA fans will appreciate being able to screen ragequitters out of your game for matchmaking purposes, and reconnection technology where you can easily rejoin a session if your connection accidentally drops.
IN-GAME CHARACTERS
LoL:
There's definitely a zanier and more light-hearted aesthetic going on. One of the first characters revealed was Annie, a girl with an evil teddy bear; along with characters like Gangplank the pirate, Tristana the gun-wielding smurf, and Twitch the spell-casting rat.
HoN:
HON's characters are much more analogous to DOTA ("Voodoo Jester" is just DOTA's "Witch Doctor" translated into HON-ese), and generally more straightforward. Probably the weirdest characters of this straight-talking bunch are either Pollywog priest (a talking frog) or Kraken the mansquid.
LEARNING CURVE?
LoL:
Newbie-friendly, with an abundance of tooltips, and item/build recommendations to ease players in.
HoN:
Fairly steep; prior experience with DOTA plus forum browsing for tactics and builds is necessary.
GAMING COMMUNITY
LoL:
Moderate to hardcore; some players get angry with newbies who don't know what "last hitting" means, while others are helpful. Basically, if you're in a "newbie only" game, there will be less gnashing of teeth compared to the other games.
HoN:
Pretty hardcore and competitive; expect harsh beatdowns and general comments about being a liability on your team or picking a "newb hero" -- even in "newbie only" matches. On the plus side, it's still not quite as harsh as actual DOTA trash-talking.
COST:
LoL:
Free to play, with microtransactions for cosmetic items, and a "collector's edition" that unlocks game content (basically, playable characters) faster.
HoN:
Thirty dollars and that's it. If you pre-order now, you gain things like the ability to taunt (yay, for more trashtalking?), and the chance to invite friends into the current closed beta.
THIS GAME IS GEARED TOWARDS TO?
LoL:
Newbies to the DBG genre who also like to customize their avatars.
HON:
Highly competitive and skilled DOTA players who yearn for modern production values.
So, which game do you think will excel above and beyond it's competition? Maybe you think they'll each have a fair share of the market?
Credits to 1UP for the differentiation of both games. Give them a visit.
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