How each mode is won
| Mode | Objective | Rule to remember |
|---|---|---|
| Team Deathmatch | Exhaust the opposing team’s lives. | Dynamic spawns respond to the fight. |
| Conquest | Hold a zone long enough to score. | The zone relocates after a point is scored, rather than on a timer. |
| Demolition | Plant the neutral bomb at the enemy site; three detonations win. | The planting team cannot respawn while its bomb is armed. |
| Crucible | Carry the Power Core inside the scoring zone. | The zone moves and shrinks; the core provides an electrical defensive attack. |
Demolition changes the risk of a push once the bomb is armed: the attackers have to protect their remaining players while the defenders work toward a defuse. In Conquest, scoring drives the rotation, so the next fight begins when the objective is completed.[1]
Equal starts and power-weapon pickups
Players begin with the same weapons and equipment. Stronger power weapons are pickups on the map, giving teams another reason to contest space. Horde’s class upgrades and weapon mods do not carry into Versus; weapon skins customize appearance.[1]
The weapon arsenal covers the rifles, shotgun, sidearm and heavy weapons. The Breechshot’s PvP headshot is lethal, while the Gnasher’s partial reload can get you back into a close-range fight after loading just one or two shells.[3]
Ranked, Social and bots
| Playlist | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Ranked | Mode-specific ranks and skill ratings, competitive matchmaking and quitting penalties. |
| Social | Quickplay, featured experiences and post-match voting. |
| Player vs Bot | Social queues grouped by bot difficulty for learning maps and modes. |
Placement matches establish your Skill Division and Rank. Skill Division reflects your estimated skill relative to other players. Rank tracks ladder progress: wins gain rating and defeats lose it, with the stakes influenced by your division. Each mode-specific Ranked playlist has its own standing.[1]
Learn the controls, then the maps
Boot Camp teaches the basics. Combat Training puts weapons and small Locust encounters on a multiplayer map and supports up to four players together. Player vs Bot queues let you practice a complete mode before entering human competition.[1]
Movement includes shooting during a sprint slide, jumping and climbing without first entering cover, and cover cancellation within 1.5 meters. Sliding cannot be repeatedly chained. Direction changes also carry momentum, making clean movement through an encounter worth practicing.[3]
See Combat Basics for Active Reload and aiming changes. The multiplayer map guide compares Outpost, Battleship, Park, Precinct, Market and Skyward.[1][3]
Levels, challenges and cosmetics
Versus matches contribute to Player Level, Medals and challenges. Weekly challenges include six Versus tasks alongside six Horde tasks. Coins earned through play unlock cosmetics in the Barracks; the rewards guide explains Coins, Iron, Re-Up and seasonal rewards.[1]
August beta
The early test ran August 6–10, followed by the open beta on August 13–17. Both windows have ended. Earned challenge rewards carry into launch, while player and class levels reset.[4]