Rocket League is one of the biggest gaming titles of the last decade. The fascination of soccer mixed with cars is simply irresistible to many gamers. Since the change to free-to-play, many more have had the chance to start playing and experience the divine joy of vehicular acrobatics.
But with so many new players joining every day, and with so many existing players trying to improve their skills, many still wonder how they should set up their car. Everybody wants an edge on the competition, but they also want to be unique and show all other players how special they are.
7 Using Toppers And Antennas
The vast majority of players feel that toppers and antennas are purely decorative vanity items to individualize their cars. In most circumstances that is true, so many gamers use them simply to add character to their car.
Yet, there is a slight gameplay advantage to toppers and antennas. The car frequently gets smashed into the air, but using the ubiquitous ball-cam means that it is not always possible to see exactly which way the car is facing at all times, especially with certain car bodies. But adding a distinctive topper or antenna onto the vehicle helps to more easily distinguish the car's orientation and thus be able to recover more quickly
6 Selecting An Engine Sound
Since gamers are able to choose their own engine audio, many just choose the sound they like best. But there are 2 possible benefits to choosing more judiciously. The first benefit is purely psychological. If gamers feel powerful, they are more likely to act powerfully, so an engine like Dominus GT V2 or Muscle Car may help them to feel and play like a titan.
The second benefit is the possibility of simply annoying enemy players. If opponents are taking the game quite seriously, they may get easily vexed if players use an overtly childish engine sound such as Motormouth or Locomotive. They may even make assumptions about a player's skill level, which can be used to gain an advantage when pulling off an impressive maneuver.
5 Experimenting With Camera Settings
While not technically part of the car setup, the camera settings do play a very big part in how gamers are able to view and control their car. While the default options are decent enough, many players who wish to progress will need to make certain tweaks and adjustments to give them an edge in high level play.
Most players are quick to turn off graphical settings that harm gameplay, such as camera shake. There are also many other camera settings which can increase the view angle, adjust the field of view, height and much more. There are some superb guides online which can help players find the settings most suited to themselves.
4 Wheels, Decals And Paint Finish Options
Once again, these are primarily options to help gamers stylize their rides and make themselves stand out from the crowd. But there are 2 subtle benefits. Firstly is the fact that a very rare or extra valuable set of wheels or paint job can show high level opponents that the owner knows the game well and is not just a newbie.
Secondly is the very subtle point that more visible paint jobs catch attention more easily. That can help teammates with identifying the car, and also give off a veneer of self-confidence that may intimidate opponents.
3 Goal Explosion Animations
This can be a seemingly simple way to display a desired victory celebration. But psychology again plays a part. There are several very dull goal explosions that give little attention to the one who scored.
However, when a goal is followed by a powerful goal explosion like Phoenix Fire, Cosmosis or Nomster, it gives an unspoken clarification that the one who scored is a significant individual. It may not even be true, but psychology is an important way to play mindgames with opponents.
2 Rocket Boost Choices
There are a slew of available rocket boosts for gamers to choose from, ranging from very basic to shiny and sparkly. The single biggest factor to think about when choosing a rocket boost is the sound it makes. Opt for a boost with clear, loud and recognizable sound, not a soft-sounding one. Since it is not always easy to know exactly where teammates are, a well chosen rocket boost with a clear and distinctive sound is a boon, as it gives teammates a kind of sonar to locate their mates.
In that split millisecond when somebody has a chance to shoot, it may not be possible to look all around to check if a teammate is also lining up. But hearing their rocket boost close by will give that answer, and help ensure both players don't try to take the same ball and double-commit. Admittedly, opponents will also be able to locate a louder boost sound more easily, but the tactical upside outweighs that minor downside.
1 Selecting The Optimal Body Type
Although many of the available cars look quite different, they all fall into 6 main hitbox models. Those invisible hitboxes will determine how the vehicle reacts when touching the ball. The type of hitbox a player chooses will determine the gameplay style they are aiming for.
For example, most pro players will choose a car from the Octane body type as it is great for all-round play, dribbling, shooting, aerials, etc. Another good option is the Dominus body type which is great for chipping the ball up and following it with some air play. But definitely explore other options too, such as the Plank body which is long and flat, making it less flexible overall, but great for goalkeepers. Experiment and research online to find the best body type for each gameplay style.