Combat Strategies
Advanced strategies and tactics to dominate Knockout. Learn from the pros and develop your winning playstyle.
Best for: Players who want consistent wins by outlasting everyone else. The most consistent way to win is to avoid conflict until the very end.
The First Round Siege:
The first round is the most dangerous. Always aim towards the center with moderate power (level 3-5). This gives you a "buffer zone" so you don't slide off if someone bumps into you.
Low-Power Precision:
Don't feel pressured to use high power. Using 1 or 2 power for micro-adjustments can keep you in a safe spot while others launch themselves off the map.
The Sideways Move:
If you think someone is targeting you, don't aim at them. Instead, aim slightly to the side to dodge their incoming charge. Often, they will fly right past you into the water.
Recommended approach: Stay near the center, let aggressive players eliminate each other first, and strike only when you have a clear advantage.
Best for: Players who excel at quick reactions and offensive pressure.
- The Aggressive Intercept: Instead of aiming where a player is, aim for where they are going. Cutting off their path is one of the most effective ways to secure a knockout.
- Crowd Control: If you see a large group of players clumping in the middle, that's a good time to use high power to disrupt the pack.
- The Finisher: Use aggression against passive players who are just trying to avoid contact, otherwise the game will last forever.
- Chain Pushes: Chain multiple pushes to build momentum and overwhelm defenders.
Warning: Aggressive players often use too much power. Be careful not to overextend and launch yourself off the platform.
1. Avoid Max Power (Early Game):
Using Max Power early on is almost a guaranteed death sentence if you miss even slightly. Start with low power (around level 3) to position yourself safely in the middle.
2. The "Eight Power" Center Shot:
If the ice has shrunk and you are near the edge, an 8-power shot toward the center is a great way to reposition safely.
3. The "Fake Out" (One Power Method):
Stay at 1 power to stay stationary. This confuses aggressive players who expect you to move.
4. Guaranteed Hits Only:
Only use full power when you are 100% certain you will hit someone, regardless of where they move.
Sometimes the best way to win is to not hit the other person.
- Avoid the Clash: If an opponent is charging at you with full power, simply move out of the way. Their own momentum will often carry them right off the platform.
- Juking: In 1v1 situations, try to "juke" or bait the other player into a separate direction instead of bashing into them head-on.
- Don't hit them back: If you notice a player is being very aggressive and charging at everyone, don't hit them back—simply move out of their path. By dodging, their own momentum will carry them straight off the edge.
Stay Centered:
Being in the middle provides a buffer. Even if you get hit, you have more ground to cover before falling off. Positioning yourself here gives you a "buffer zone."
Adjust for Rebounds:
Be aware that hitting someone can cause you to bounce back. Calculate your power so that a "rebound" doesn't send you off the opposite edge.
Observe Your Opponents:
Take note of specific players. If you identify someone's playstyle early (passive or aggressive), you can plan your counter-move before the final showdown.
1v1 Showdowns:
- Don't over-commit: In 1v1 situations, using max power is extremely risky because if you miss, you lose instantly.
- Observe the other player's power-up habits.
- Wait for them to make a move, then aim for the "clutch" hit to secure the win.
- Maintain maximum distance initially, then study your opponent's movement pattern.
When Outnumbered (1v2 or 1v3):
- Keep all opponents in your field of view.
- Position so they block each other's attacks.
- Create chaos by pushing one into another.
- Focus on survival until they fight each other.
Shrinking Arena:
- Always stay ahead of the shrinking boundary.
- Use the boundary to trap opponents.
- Increase aggression as space decreases, but decrease power levels.
- Position near the new center as it shrinks.
- When the map is small, avoid using max power unless you are lined up perfectly for a hit.
Fast Games:
- Some matches end in just 2 rounds if everyone plays aggressively.
- Stay alert and adapt quickly to the pace of the match.
In this game, identifying your opponent is key. Some players use deception and mind games to gain an advantage.
- Read Your Opponent: Success in Knockout is about guessing what your opponent will do. The better you get at predicting their movement, the higher your win rate will be.
- Skin Baiting: Some players lie about which skin they are wearing to trick you into attacking the wrong person.
- Targeting "Rich" Skins: Be careful when wearing rare skins like the Rainbow Penguin. It often makes you a target because other players want to take down the "pro."
- The "Friendly" Ruse: You can pretend to be friendly by not attacking, but always be ready for the "Evil Method" where you suddenly go for a knockout when they least expect it.
- Chat Manipulation: Use the chat to suggest "Everyone use Max Power" for a laugh. While some might do it and fall off, you can play it safe and watch the chaos.
- Start with low power (around level 3) to position yourself safely in the middle.
- Don't over-commit: In 1v1 situations, using max power is extremely risky.
- Low Power Intercepts: You can still knock people off with lower power if your positioning is correct.
- Watch Your Starting Position: If you are closer to the edge than your opponent during a head-on collision, you are more likely to fall off first.
- Practice: Success is highly dependent on reading other people's strategies, which comes with experience.
- Watch the Rotation: Pay attention to how the board rotates. Sometimes your arrow's direction changes based on the platform's movement.
- Observe the Pros: Watch players on the leaderboard. Notice how they corner opponents and wait for the perfect moment to strike.
- Practice in the Lobby: Use the Obby in the lobby while waiting for rounds to start. It helps keep your movement skills sharp!