Psyonix is once again bringing a limited time game mode (LTM) to Rocket League! Knockout is what all the fuzz is about and brings gameplay that we have never seen before to the Battle Arena!
Rocket League Season 7 is just a few weeks old at this point, and things are about to get spicy! If you've been spending most of your time getting better in the battle-arena, so you can get your hand on those tasty rewards at the end of the season, you're in for a change.
Once again, a very popular LTM will return to Rocket League! We'll tell you everything you need to know about Knockout in Rocket League – how it works, when it will be available, and what other rules you have to follow while playing. Let's go!
What Is Knockout In Rocket League?
Knockout is one of many (and the latest) limited time mode (LTM) in Rocket League and has been introduced by Psyonix during the Knockout Bash event. The gameplay has nothing to do with what we are used to from our favorite game – unique goals, breathtaking air dribbles and fantastic saves are not to be found here.
Instead, it's Rocket League's first Battle Royale mode – or at least a Battle Royale of sorts. It might sound strange at first, but once you've read through the rules of the new LTM, a lot of it will make sense. Trust us.
But reading every rule in the book seems just so lame... let's rather have a look at the trailer of Knockout Bash, which Psyonix uploaded on YouTube. Maybe it's all you need to understand the specifics of the new LTM...
Rocket League Knockout Controls Explained
The system is actually quite easy to explain, but when it comes to rules, stuff get a bit more complex. Theoretically, you just have to manage to be the last survivor, and you've already won a round of Knockout Bash. Sounds pretty doable, right?
Meanwhile, you'll have to keep knocking your opponents out of the safe zone or push them directly into Hazards. You can block, attack or grab other bodies with your car. How this all works exactly... just continue reading, that's what we are here for!
How To Grab In Knockout
Grabbing is probably the most important gameplay mechanic in Knockout Bash. As soon as you get close to an opponent, the button pops up, and you can grab their Battle Car. Now you sort of dodge – like you sometimes do in "standard" Rocket League – and fling the other car into the air. There's no more effective way to throw your opponents out of the safe zone.
How To Attack In Knockout
In a Battle Royale mode, offense certainly is the best defense – and this is also true for Knockout in Rocket League. BUT, and that's essential, you should also not rush into your opponents without thinking, but rather approach them tactically. According to Psyonix, it's much more effective to jump into your opponents than to just bump into them.
With a well-placed attack, you can easily hurl your enemies through the arena. In addition, the well-known Rocket League motto also applies here: the faster you move, the better. Your attacks simply have more impact. It's just physics, lol.
Hot To Block In Knockout
However, you can also use your opponents' attacks to your own advantage. If you press the block button at the right moment – which of course requires perfect timing and a bit of practice – your attacker will be thrown back, and you'll be just fine. But if your timing is just a bit off, you'll be defenseless against the attack.
Secondary Mechanics
- Stun
- Players will be Stunned after being hit by an Attack, while being Grabbed, after being Thrown by a Grab, or after having an Attack Blocked. In this state, players are helpless and cannot control their cars. While Stunned, you can free yourself by mashing the Break Stun button.
- Enemy Lock-On
- Instead of locking on to a ball, the camera is now able to lock on to opposing players. While locked on, the player can cycle through targets.
- Triple Jump
- Double jump is SO retro. In Knockout, players can jump in the air twice before resetting their jumps by placing their wheels on the ground.
- Multi Dodge
- Dodging power has been increased, and now Players can dodge up to four times in the air. No need to flip reset either, as there is no time limit to how long your dodge can be saved mid-air.
- Jump
- In Knockout, jumping has much more vertical force than other Rocket League modes.
- Boost
- Boost is a bit stronger in Knockout, which allows players to get back to the platform when they have been slammed into the distance by other players. Boost will recharge whenever you’re not boosting while your wheels are touching the ground.
Knockout In Rocket League: Game Rules
Every game needs rules, and at the same time, rules are meant to be broken. But of course, you can't play without rules – not even in Rocket League. Here's how the official Rocket League website explains the new LTM Knockout Bash:
- Team Size
- In Knockout there are no teams. Instead, 8 players compete in free-for-all action.
- Lives
- Unlike Soccar, Knockout doesn’t have unlimited respawns. Players will have to watch their back because once you’ve been KO’d 3 times it’s game over.
- Safezone
- Surrounding the arena is a translucent dome called the Safezone. When a player is knocked out of the Safezone, they must return within 10 seconds, or they will be KO’d. Throughout the game, the Safezone will shrink, increasing the danger. After 6 minutes the match will enter Sudden KO, where every Attack or Throw is maximum power, and being knocked out of the Safezone causes an instant KO.
- Hazards
- Each Knockout Arena contains several Hazards, including Spikes and a Laser Grid that lies below the platforms. Touching a Hazard will result in an instant KO.
Phew, that was quite a long list of rules, wasn't it? Everything understood so far? Yes? Very good, then we shall get to the next highlight of Knockout Bash: it's part of Rocket League's birthday celebrations!
Rocket League Knockout Bash – What Are The Rewards?
While you could still earn some rewards during Knockout Bash, this is unfortunately no longer the case for Birthday Ball – at least not while playing Knockout. But as a small reminder: That's what we had last time.
Psyonix describes the challenge rewards as "no easy task", but they should motivate players all the more for playing Knockout Bash.
So, what do you have to achieve exactly to get those rewards? Well, we don't know yet, but we'll soon find out! At least you can be certain to see fresh items like the Florescence wheels, the Monarch Rocket Boost or the animated Flutterby Decal in the game.
There are also golden gift baskets to earn. These contain classic items from the Victory, Accelerator, and Turbo Item Series – so that's plenty you can't buy every day in the Rocket League Item Shop. You can complete the challenge up to 5 times and then open the golden gift baskets in your inventory.
What's The Release Date Of Knockout Bash In Rocket League?
The Knockout Bash in-game event in Rocket League took place from April 27 to May 10 – that's when Knockout originally debuted. However, as Psyonix had already officially confirmed, the LTM will return to Rocket League during Birthday Ball. The mode will be playable from July 13 to 19.
So you've got about 2 weeks of pure fun and action left until the in Rocket League – as we know it – returns, and you'll mostly be worried about your MMR in Rocket League. We're definitely looking forward to seeing you in Knockout and kicking you right into some hazards. Mwhahaha. Cheers!
