Rocket League is an interesting game in that it is so fluid and offers each player so much creative freedom. Yet every person who plays Rocket League can be categorized by at least one stereotype. The brain is so complex, yet it can be so predictable when it comes to Rocket League. By reading along with these playful, yet seriously accurate, archetypes, hopefully you can understand your style of Rocket League better, and use it to enhance your strengths, improve on your weaknesses, and know what pro players to research that best match your same playstyle.

Mechanical Genius

The flow of the car comes just as easily to you as walking—flip resets, double taps, air dribbles, easy peasy. You basically live in Freeplay. For every match you play, you have spent at least an hour training. The car is an extension of your body, and you are in tune like the world’s grandest piano. Defense and back-post rotations? That’s what your teammates are for. You are the star of the show. Nobody skips your replays, except for you, of course, because that wasn’t even your cleanest shot.

Strengths:

• Make any game-saving save/goal
• Opponents must ALWAYS respect their opportunities
• Always comes in clutch

Weaknesses:

• Defensive liability
• Weak supportive player
• Never looking for the pass play

Pro Idols:

• SquishyMuffinz
• JSTN.

Positional Prodigy

You are the definition of cool, calm, and collected. While everyone else on the field is scrambling to recover, full boosting back to defense, getting back into position, you are already at the right place at the right time. This is because you knew what was going to happen, and you knew exactly where to be. Your teammates don’t notice, but you are the glue holding your teams together.

Strengths:

• Always in position
• Goes to where the ball is going to be
• Can defend any situation

Weaknesses:

• Rarely takes control of the game
• Sometimes too passive
• Underappreciated

Pro Idols:

• ViolentPanda
• Torment

Demo Demon

You are the definition of chaos. You cause others to tilt, and all they do is feed into your desire for more. Rotations are something that should be cut often when there is a demolition opportunity. Afterall, taking out the opponent is a lot easier than trying to get the ball past them. The psychological warfare is just as important as the actual game being played. Your stats don't show up on the scoresheet, but that’s okay, because you know you are the true unsung hero.

Strengths:

• Applies constant pressure
• Causes opponents to miss and play scared
• Creates space for teammates

Weaknesses:

• Overcommitments
• Subpar Positioning
• High Risk Taker

Pro Idols:

• Comm
• Retals

Boost Hoarder

Boost pills and pads are the name of the game. Those who control the boost control the game. While opponents sputter on fumes, you are sitting there with a full tank, waiting for them to hand you the ball. You know the boost pad positions like the back of your hand, and your favorite thing to do is steal an opponent's boost in their own corners on defense.

Strengths:

• Excellent boost management
• Leaves opponents starved
• Always ready for any play

Weaknesses:

• Gives opponents too much space
• Sometimes abandons position to grab boost
• Sometimes forgets to leave boost for teammates

Pro Idols:

• M0nkey M00n
• GarretG

Ball Chaser

Opponents tremble at the sight of you, full boosting directly at them. “But wait, they shouldn’t be challenging me yet.” they say to themselves as you steal the ball with ease and tuck it into the goal. The pressure you create could make diamonds. You always top the average speed for the game, and opponents never get the chance to breathe when they play against you.

Strengths:

• Constant pressure
• High tempo
• Controls the pace

Weaknesses:

• Cuts rotations
• Leaves teammates to fend for the goal when they get passed
• Inconsistent decision-making

Pro Idols:

• Joyo
• Firstkiller

Apple Accumulator

You don’t need the scoreboard to tell you who has contributed the most to the team. You know that without you, your teammates would not have the success they are having. You are always looking for the team play, and you thrive on making decisions that most would not even think of. Soft touches, perfect passes, that’s you. You get more assists than any other stat, but more importantly, everyone loves to play with you because you make them look good.

Strengths:

• Strong deep clears
• Reliable third man
• Keeps the team rotations intact

Weaknesses:

• Often overlooked
• Passes when they should have shot
• Over-dependent on teammates

Pro Idols:

• Chicago
• Extra

The Casual

You play Rocket League the way it was intended to be played: stress-free and with good vibes. You probably have music playing in the background, and that is what you love best about this game. Chat may or may not be on, but it doesn’t matter. The toxic tryhards don’t ruin your good time either way. Rotations are optional, mechanics are inconsistent, and Freeplay is something you have seldom stepped foot in. Although you probably have the least experience out of all these archetypes, everyone has something to learn from you, and that is to play this game for the same reason you played it in the first place, because you have fun.

Strengths:

• Always in a good mood
• Not afraid to try anything new
• Will peak one out of every ten games

Weaknesses:

• Inconsistent mechanics
• Low competitive drive
• Questionable decision-making

Pro Idols:

• Rizzo
• Lethamyr

After reading, you’re probably thinking more than one of these applies to you. That is okay, that is how it is supposed to be. Rocket League is a predictable, structured game that reinforces habits, whether they are good or bad. Whichever ones most apply to you, keep them in mind and make sure to study those pro players who have similar play-styles to you. They know how to do the same things you do, but truly excel at it in a professional environment.