Rocket League recently celebrated its eighth anniversary, and the game’s popularity is higher than ever. The game concept appears easy at first: quick 3vs3 matches with flying vehicles attempting to fire an oversized ball into the opponent’s goal. But, as is frequently the case, the devil is in the details: mastering Rocket League necessitates a significant amount of time and focused effort. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started:
Controller or mouse & keyboard?
First and foremost, determine whether you want to start with a controller or a mouse and keyboard (MnK). A controller offers some advantages to MnK, and most players think that a gamepad allows them to handle the game more accurately. Even among professionals, the controller is widely preferred, with few utilising MnK. Many people prefer the freedom of movement that a 360° stick provides over four buttons.
After all, the pro “Fruity” won the European championship in 2019 with MnK. In the end, the differences are less essential than whether it feels right for you. However, you should commit to a single control approach to avoid losing feel and muscle memory.
Camera settings
Camera settings can provide a significant competitive advantage. First and foremost, you need deactivate the “Camera Shake”. The shaking caused by each impact soon causes you to lose concentrate on the ball, which can be frustrating.
The Field of View (FOV) setting controls how much you can view of the field and your car. Low settings zoom in over the top of the automobile for a closer look at the pitch, while high settings provide a broader view. Seeing more of the field is undoubtedly advantageous in a fast-paced game.
The “Distance” option defines how far the camera is positioned behind the car, and the “Height” option regulates how high the camera hangs above the car. The camera angle, in turn, influences the tilt angle with which the camera is pointing downward.
The “Swivel Speed” setting controls the pace at which the camera swivels around you. The “Transition Speed” controls how smoothly the camera switches between turning the ball camera on and off.
Choosing the right car
At first glance, the number of vehicles available appears to be vast. However, a cursory look at the professional scene reveals that only three names come into question: Octane, Fennec, and, slightly distantly, Dominus. Octane has been the best vehicle in the game since the first season. It has virtually no flaws and is popular at all levels – the ideal all-rounder.
Fennec feels sluggish and slower, yet his shots have greater force. Furthermore, the optics are more accurate than the Octane in terms of hitbox. Dominus excels on offence with raw strength blasts, but the flat vehicle and big turning circle can be difficult to adjust to. It is best to test each car once before deciding on your favourite.
Master the basics
Begin by practicing the game’s basic mechanics. This encompasses boosting, jumping, and ball control. The “training mode” and free play are excellent ways to get acquainted with the controls without stress. You will quickly realise how difficult it is to hit the ball accurately. The only thing that works here is to grind. Setting clearly stated training goals or warming up with a few rounds in training mode before each match can be beneficial.
Boost management
Rocket League relies heavily on boosting. Only a full boost tank allows you to perform stunning aerials and make legendary saves. Examine how the boost pads are distributed on the field and optimise your routes so that you always drive over them. The six enormous boost pads at the map’s edge completely fill the tank. They revive after ten seconds.The little pads provide 12% boost and respawn after 5 seconds. There are 28 of them in the arena. At the start of the game, at kickoff, or following a demolition, each player spawns with a 33% tank increase. Make sure you always have a full boost tank so you can respond swiftly to the game and act both offensively and defensively.
Position
Few things are as crucial as your position on the pitch. Good posture necessitates focus, practice, and an accurate appraisal of the current game. By improving your positioning, you may maximise your defensive and offensive abilities and make smarter game judgements.
As a rule of thumb, position yourself such that you can assist your teammates without being right up their tailpipe. The ideal situation is to cover as much of the field as possible while being near enough to your partner to respond to potential opponent attacks, misses, or ball losses.
Understanding rotations
The rotation principle is a key strategy in Rocket League that attempts to make the most of the pitch by coordinating effective attacks while keeping a stable defence. Players on the squad swap positions to ensure that they cover the pitch as effectively as possible. The rotation entails a continuous transition between attacking and defending positions.
When a player actively participates in an attack (for example, by shooting or passing), he retreats afterward and allows a teammate to occupy his place. To maintain optimal defence, as a player moves forward to attack the ball, another player moves back simultaneously. As part of the rotation, it is always possible to replenish the boost tank for the next attack. The rotation ensures that there is always at least one player available to smash or defend the ball.
Avoid ball chasing
Most Rocket League newbies are continually pursuing the ball. Instead, focus on clever positioning. Ball chasing causes chaotic and disorganised action, putting needless strain on your defence. If you notice that a teammate already has an excellent position for the ball, trust him and allow him to make contact with it. This improves the flow of play and allows you to focus on your own positioning for potential passes or rebounds.
Avoiding ball chasing demands a great deal of patience and discipline. Recognising whether it is appropriate to chase the ball demands a great deal of experience. Basically, if a teammate is already on his approach to the ball, it is best to position yourself strategically so that you can react swiftly.
Team & Communication
Of course, it’s ideal if you have other Rocket League aficionados in your social circle with whom you can play the game and improve together. The ability to use voice chat is very advantageous in this case. However, you can also cooperate well with random teammates using the quickchat tool. A simple “I got it” or “Defending…” might be very effective in this situation. Make sure your Quickchat buttons in the menu contain the most important information.
When teammates disrespect Rocket League’s basic principles, it may be extremely annoying, especially in the lower tiers. In such instances, stick to your own game and make the most of it. In the worst-case scenario, it ends after 5 minutes. If you find a wonderful buddy, it’s a good idea to form a group using the “Party up” tool and join forces for the following game.
Stay positive & be patient
Understand that mastering Rocket League will take a long time. Most professionals took many years to reach their current level. It can be quite irritating to miss an open net or have terrible luck with random teammates multiple games in a row. It is really vital to maintain a cheerful attitude. At the end of the day, you play Rocket League because you like it. If you stick with it, you’ll realise how much fun it is to fight your way up the rankings and improve.
