Unless you’ve been living under a rock or in a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere, you’ve probably heard of Rocket League, the vehicle-based soccer video game that allows players from around the world to connect and compete in an exciting multiplayer arena. Who would have thought that playing soccer (or football if you’re European) with cars could be so much fun? However, Rocket League has completely taken the world by storm and become one of the most popular e-sports out there.
As you know if you’ve ever played the game, not all of the cars were created equal. To promote different strategies and playing styles, the game’s developers designed the cars in the game with different hitboxes and handling attributes. If you don’t know what a hitbox is, it’s basically one of the six default body styles of the cars.
The hitbox that you use will affect how your car interacts with the ball while your car’s handling attributes will affect the ways in which you navigate the arena. Some of the cars are available when you first start the game, some must be unlocked by playing, and others need to be purchased in DLC packs or crates. So, what is the best Rocket League car? Well, if you’ve played the game before or ever watched it played professionally, you probably already know the answer.
Yes, there’s one specific car that’s pretty much unanimously considered the best in the game; however, if you have a more unorthodox playing style, you may prefer one of the other options. Let’s look at the 6 best Rocket League cars so that you can try them all out and decide which one is the best fit for you. And if you get good enough with that car, you can dominate your friends and maybe even go pro one day.
Octane
Unlike a lot of games where the options you unlock through gameplay are the better options, the very first car that you have the option to play with in Rocket League is also the best one. Yes, when you first turn on the game, the Octane is the default car that you’ll be playing with, and it’s also widely considered the best car in the game. The Octane has a great hitbox, tight turning ability, and is really just a jack of all trades.
The Octane is by far the most popular car among both amateurs and professionals. It has a rectangular hitbox that makes it versatile and capable in every scenario. The car is also lifted just high enough off the ground to make it great for hitting the ball both on the ground and in the air.
Batmobile
The Batmobile isn’t just popular because of its sleek design and DC-superhero origins, it’s actually one of the most popular and effective cars in all of Rocket League. It became available for purchase as part of the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice DLC pack on December 18, 2016, and has since exploded in popularity. The main reason that the Batmobile is so popular is that it’s the longest car in the whole game, which makes it an effective defensive tool and gives it the ability to make long-range precision shots.
Unfortunately, the Batmobile is no longer available for purchase. So, unless you bought the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice DLC pack when it was released and still have the Batmobile in your account, you can no longer get this car. If you’re interested in getting a car with a similar hitbox, though, you should check out the Artemis, Centio, or Sentinel. All of these cars feature a similar hitbox with many of the same advantages as the Batmobile.
Dominus
As the name sort of implies, the Dominus is great for those who value offensive domination. When this car was first released, it had to be purchased through the Supersonic Fury DLC pack. However, they’ve since made it free to unlock through gameplay. The Dominus is best for those who value power and striking ability as this car can pack a serious punch when taking a shot on goal. With that being said, the Dominus also handles pretty well.
The Dominus hitbox, which is used in over 20 different cars in the game, is very popular among high-level players because it’s sort of like the middle ground between the Octane hitbox and the Batmobile plank-style hitbox. The Dominus also has the largest overall surface area of any hitbox in the game, which means you’ll hit the ball frequently. Combine that with the astounding power of the Dominus and you’ve got a serious offensive weapon.
Breakout
The Breakout hitbox is probably best for players who prioritize reliability and accuracy over everything else. The Breakout has a very boxy design that makes it unappealing to some players, but its flat hood makes it great for lining up shots on goal that are reliably accurate.
The Breakout hitbox is one of the default cars that you can play with as soon as you download the game. And while it may be the least popular of the three default cars, it still handles fairly smoothly in the air (though not as well as the Dominus) and is great for dribbling on the ground. Once again, the Breakout won’t make you a superstar, but it will help you be reliable and steady.
Endo
While the Endo isn’t nearly as popular as the Octane, Breakout, or Dominus, it’s still a fairly good car for those who want something a little more unique. The Endo was released on March 22, 2017, and is only available through Turbo Crates, which makes it a little harder to get your hands on than the other cars on this list. However, this car is fun to play with and is particularly suited to anyone who likes to spend a good portion of their Rocket League experience in the air.
The Endo is great for gliding through the air smoothly and accurately, especially when flying upside-down. Unfortunately, its drawbacks are that it can’t handle as well as the Breakout, Octane, or Dominus. This is largely due to the fact that the Endo has a hybrid hitbox style which is far boxier than most of the other options on this list. Overall, in terms of effectiveness, you’re probably still better off going with the Octane. However, if you want to try something a little more out-of-the-box, the Octane is a solid option.
Merc
Another option that will separate you from the pack is the Merc, which seems to be styled after a big, bulky SUV. As you might expect, this car’s massive hitbox makes it a good car for blocking goals, blasting through opponents, and hitting the ball when airborne. If you’re new to Rocket League, the Merc is a great way to get a few lucky goals before you get the hang of the game.
Also as you might expect, the Merc isn’t very good at speeding across the arena or making quick turns. This bulky beast isn’t exactly nimble, but it’s definitely powerful and takes up a lot of space in front of the goal. This car is pretty much about brute strength and nothing else.
