What is a MoBA?

A MoBA, short for Multiplayer Battle Arena, and also known as Action Real-time Strategy (ARTS), is a genre of video games best featured traditionally by DoTA, DoTA2, League of Legends, and Heroes of Newerth.  Matches in a MoBA typically consist of two teams with each player controlling a single character, despite the common mechanics of RTSs.  Teams are given the objective of destroying the base of the enemy team while defending their own, though some variations can occur, all while building their character up while facing the opponent..

A typical map.  Yellow represents lanes, orange bases, and blue structures such a towers.

I personally play League of Legends, and have for over the last two years.  My experience with the genre is that it can be a fun, if frustrating challenge, thanks in part to its team-centric player vs player, design.  I should go ahead and say that this genre is not for everyone.  The games can be pretty research intensive, finding out how each character works, and frustrating if someone jumps straight into it.  For example, League of Legends has 115 different characters that fall under a variety of different roles within the specific meta game that's become the standard of how to play.  It is heavily enforced by the playerbase how an individual should play, since one person can become incredibly detrimental to the entireity of the team.  I've, unfortunately, been rather unsuccesful getting friends to join up.

Video from the 2012 World Tournament