How to Beat the CPU in Rocket League 2D

The 1 Player vs CPU mode puts the computer in the blue car. It is not a genius, but it is patient and it never stops chasing the ball, so an unplanned game usually ends 3–4. This guide explains what the CPU does and how to take advantage of it, plus a few habits that win games against people too.

What the CPU is thinking

The CPU has one plan and follows it every moment. If it is on the wrong side of the ball — nearer to your goal than the ball is — it drives back around the ball until it is on its own side. Once it is behind the ball, it lines up with your goal and drives straight through. It uses the same turning and speed steps a player has, but its top speed is a little lower than yours. If it drives into a wall and stops, it backs off and tries again.

Beat it to the space, not the ball

Because the CPU always circles around to get behind the ball, it gives you a moment every time the ball changes sides. Use it:

1. At kick-off, go straight. Both cars start at the same distance from the ball. Hold W from the first moment and you arrive first, with the ball between you and the blue goal.
2. When it circles, cut inside. While the blue car is looping round the far side of the ball, you have the straight line. Hit the ball before it finishes the loop.
3. Do not follow it into a corner. When the CPU pins the ball on a wall, drive back towards your own goal and wait between the ball and the goal. It will knock the ball out towards you.

Shooting

The goal is only the middle third of the end line, so shots from wide angles tend to hit the line and bounce out. Bring the ball towards the centre before you shoot. The cleanest goals come from a square hit with the front of the car: the ball leaves faster than you were driving and in the direction your car points. If you are coming in at an angle, turn before contact, not during it. Corner touches send the ball sideways.

Defending

Cars pass through each other, so parking in front of the blue car does nothing. What stops a goal is your car between the ball and the middle of your goal line. Back up only a short distance — reverse is slow — and turn round when you have to cover ground. If the ball is heading for your goal slowly, remember that it loses speed every half-second. A gentle touch from the side is often enough to push it past the post.

Playing a friend

In 2 Players both players share one keyboard: orange on WASD, blue on the arrows. Sit side by side with the laptop in the middle. The same ideas apply, with one extra: a human does not always circle back like the CPU does, so watch for the quick shot from the side. Two-minute games make it easy to play first to three wins.

Go and try it: play Rocket League 2D, or read the controls and rules guide first.