Psyonix's multiplayer hit Rocket League is known for its array of uniquely-designed cars. Despite the studio's recent move to give these vehicles similar traits and mechanics, there's still a degree of difference between most.
There's the basic body types such as Plank and Hybrid, and minor variations within these categories. Each excels a bit in different ways, and some are fairly well-rounded, while others are more imbalanced in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Players will often find a certain type of car gels more with their playstyle, and some will demand a bit more skill than others.
With so many cars, it can be tough to gauge which are more appropriate for beginners, as well as which can be exploited better by pros. While much boils down to playstyle and personal preference, there are some general traits that make some models a bit more preferable to newbies compared to seasoned players.
Updated January 31st, 2021 by Stephen LaGioia: Rocket League has truly taken on a life of its own with its prominence in the competitive gaming scene — along with its trickling of new cars and limited-time events. As such, it seemed fitting to rev up this list with some additional details and a couple more cars that are great for RL newbies and vets.
12 Beginner: Hotshot
While it may not look too similar, the Hotshot has been regarded for being an underrated Dominus-esque car. It has comparable functions and traits - it's just that its funky appearance tends to deter some first-timers.
But like that vehicle, the Hotshot makes for an ideal choice for newbies with its rather easy handling and flat top. The only real difference from the Dominus is its slightly tighter turn radius and a body that's a tad more narrow.
11 Pro: Esper
This is a DLC car that comes bundled with the Rocket League Collector's Edition. Its thin body and curved design makes it feel and play a tad funky. It's particularly narrow compared to most cars, to be sure.
Still, its more pointed form and above-average boosting give its some offensive potency for those that can control and aim the ball with precision.
10 Beginner: Road Hog
Though it sports a unique appearance, the Road Hog makes for a fine choice for newbies, at least those looking for beefier cars.
You have the similar, more popular Merc, but this vehicle manages to fill that same role in most areas while being easier to maneuver and turn with. The size of this thing will enable you to hit the ball with greater ease while maintaining greater control than is the case with the Merc.
9 Pro: Merc
Those more practiced in the art of controlling the ball will want to give this beast a look. It comes with one of the largest hitboxes, which means you can cover a lot of ground on defense, and be a force on offense.
Again, maneuverability and airtime can be a slight issue here, but more seasoned players can offset some of this by taking advantage of its strengths. It's an effective car in the right hands, though its large build and clunky mechanics make this tough for inexperienced players to work around.
8 Beginner: Takumi
This one tends to get overlooked, which is surprising considering how well it meshes some of the Octane and Dominus' strengths. It sports a fairly normal, well-rounded hitbox, while also having a more impactful, square-like front hitbox that's optimal offensively.
Its relatively small size means that it's a tad weak when it comes to aerial moves and dribbling. Yet, this isn't typically something new players are going to do much, anyway.
7 Pro: Venom
One need only look at the funky build of this car to realize that it's not quite the most newbie-friendly. Its heavy feel and flat, slanted nose gives it unique mechanics that take some getting used to.
It has a Hybrid hitbox which makes it somewhat well-rounded, yet its odd pointed front is more exploitable by pros, who can use it for air dribbling and flipping. Its length is also optimal for dribbling on the ground, which again, is more of an expert practice.
6 Beginner: Breakout
Though the Breakout is a popular choice among high-ranked players, it's also suitable for beginners. It's similar to the Dominus in that it stresses length and a flatter top, but is also somewhat well-rounded and handles pretty well.
Its smoother, flatter hitbox allows you to hit the ball straight and thus be an offensive threat. At the same time, it's not too extreme or wonky in any area like, say, the Batmobile. Some have gone so far as to say that this car is equal or better than the popular Dominus as well as the Octane.
5 Pro: Paladin
Seasoned players of Rocket League are more likely to favor a swifter car, and the Paladin is a good choice for those with quick reflexes and great control. This thing can fly around the arena pretty fast, which means it also excels in long-range ball hits. These are attributes that tend not to favor newer players, who are more likely to shoot and pass at closer distances.
You've also got the factor of this car's extremely short height, which can take a while for beginners to adjust to. Still, it would make for a great racecar!
4 Beginner: Dominus
As far as the flatter vehicles go, it's tough to find a more beginner-friendly, well-rounded car than the Dominus. Again, assuming you can get past the fairly short height, this car is at least moderately effective in most areas.
You can play a great ground, wall, or air game with this thing without much of a sweat. Its length, large hitbox, and flat top makes it solid for offense and controlling the ball. Yet, its simple shape and smooth handling is such that it doesn't demand a steep learning curve.
3 Pro: Aftershock
The DLC car is both appealing in name and design and has proven to be a beast for pros. This is on account of its distinct traits - which include a fin in the back that's good at smacking the ball well with flips. Its unique ergonomic design is also optimal for playing in the air. But again, these are traits that newbies aren't likely to utilize much.
Additionally, you're dealing with one of the largest overall surface areas, which isn't going to make for the easiest handling.
2 Beginner: Octane
This is really the definitive all-around vehicle. Just about everyone from newbies to pros opt for the Octane because of its great versatility, solid handling, and "jack of all trades" quality.
It's great for both the ground and air game, and it's quite nimble in terms of boosting and speed. Though it's a fairly tall car, nothing about its build is too extreme. Given all these factors, the Octane is a safe pick for beginners that's quite easy to get the hang of. It's probably why this is the most popular car in the game.
1 Pro: Batmobile
It's certainly flashy, though this super-car may not be for everyone, especially if you're new to Rocket League. Its lengthy body and short height gives it a bit of a clunky, weightier feel that definitely takes some getting used to. It's also the single widest car in the game, making for a distinct build.
As is the case with Plank types, the Batmobile can really thrive when dribbling, flipping, and shooting. However, The Dark Knight's favored car is akin to an extreme version of this category. Pros can really take advantage of its strengths, but beginners might want to practice with the Dominus first.