Huttball Warzone Guide

Sponsored and run by the famous gangster Giradda the Hutt on the Smuggler’s Moon of Nar Shaddaa, Huttball has become the most popular sporting event in the galaxy. On a map aptly names “The Pit”, opposing team’s use all means necessary to get the Huttball into the opposing team’s endzone, all the while avoiding the many hazards scattered throughout. This guide will provide the details regarding the mechanics of the game and offer some handy tips to help your team to victory.

The Basics

The Huttball Warzone is the Star Wars version of capture the flag. Players begin the match as a member of the Frogdogs or the Rotworms, and will be facing off against a team from their own, or the opposing faction. In order to score a point, teams must get the ball across the map and into the enemies endzone denoted by a neon yellow or purple strip along the ground. Scoring six points wins the game, but if neither team manages to pull this off the team with the highest score at the end of the 15 minutes is declared the winner. If both teams happen to have the same number of goals when the timer runs out, the team holding the ball wins.

The Huttball itself spawns in the center of the map and will return there whenever a goal is scored or an incomplete pass is made. To get the Huttball from A to B players can either run with it or pass to another player. It is important to note that when holding the ball your speed is reduced and a large pillar of light projects from your character, making you an easy target. When the ball handler is killed the closest attacking player will take possession of the Huttball.

Your first time entering a Huttball match you may have noticed a new ability appearing on your action bar with a little huttball icon, this is what you’ll be using to pass. When activated, the pass ability will bring up a circular target similar to an AOE attack on the ground. Once you select the area you want, the pass will be made and the closest person to the center of the circle makes the catch. If there is no one inside the circle when the ball hits the ground it’s rendered an incomplete pass, and if there’s an enemy there they will intercept it.

The Pit is definitely the most hazardous of the warzone maps, filled with deadly traps and multiple catwalks allowing enemies to strike from above and below. The Warzone gets its name from the two “pits” located directly in front of each team’s endzone, which you can only exit by ramps on either side or by force leaping/pulled out.

The three hazards you’ll encounter during the match are the flame trap, acid pit, and air lifts. The flame pits located on the catwalks are the deadliest of the three and operate on a timer. You can tell when one is about to fire when it starts to give off a red glow. Great care should be taken when crossing because if you get caught on one when it goes off, death will come swiftly. The acid pits are large rectangular pools of deadly green acid located within the center area on the northern and southern ends. Although they don’t inflict as much damage as the flame traps, they cause an additional slowing effect that ultimately keeps you in the acid longer. The airlifts themselves are not really a hazard as they don’t cause any immediate, or fall damage when used. In fact they can actually be quite useful if you’re lucky and manage to get blasted up onto one of the catwalks. If you’re not so lucky you may end up in one of the fire traps or acid pits.

The UI located in the top right of your screen contains a few valuable pieces of information to help your situational awareness. Beside each team’s colorful logo is the possession indicator, a black circle that will be filled with a huttball icon depending on which side currently controls the ball. The time clock and score tally are located in the middle of the frame, between the team logos.

All three varieties of powerups: health, speedboost, and expertise can be found on the map and are a good way to get an edge on the opponent. The speed boost especially is a great way to quickly get out of “the pit” and back into the action.

Tips and Tricks for Victory

Positioning

While it is important to protect the ball carrier, having at least one person run ahead for a pass will move the ball much more quickly than trying to trudge your way to the endzone. It also allows you to bypass traps altogether, putting them between the other team and the ballcarrier instead of you and the endzone.

During your trek to the goal line you’re going to be getting hit with every type of knock back ability in the book, throwing you down into the pit. Having a teammate either on the edge in front of the team’s goal or on the catwalk ensures a quick pass or pull back up. Warriors and Knights perform best in this situation due to their leap/intercede abilities that allow them to jump up to enemies and allies alike.

If you happen to find yourself behind the action and notice your team is about to score, head for the ball spawn instead. It’s likely that many of the enemy players have been chasing down your ball carrier allowing you to grab the newly spawned huttball right after the goal.

Moving the Ball

Most classes have at least one ability that allows them to move quickly across the battlefield. In Huttball the most effective are the Knight/Warrior leap and intercede, coupled with the Sage/Sorcerer ability to pull a team mate to them. By chaining these abilities together, you can clear large portions of the map in no time.

As mentioned before, throwing the ball should be done whenever possible. Much more ground can be covered in a lot less time by pulling off a good pass. To get the best view for passing and pvp in general, be sure to adjust your camera max distance way back. This way, not only will you have a much better view of potential receivers, you’ll also be able to judge the passing distance much more accurately.

On the Defense

The most obvious priority when defending is to take out the ball carrier. A very effective tactic is to stun or slow them while they’re crossing a trap. Classes with pull abilities can also stand on the edge of a fire/acid trap and pull the ballcarrier right into it.

If you find yourself without much backup and the oncoming team has their ballcarrier defended well, use your force push/knock back, to throw them off the catwalk and into the pit. If you’ve really mastered this ability, aiming for an active fire trap is the best way to go. Be sure to mate note of the enemies resolve bar because if it’s full you may be better off waiting until the ability is sure to be effective.

While attacking the ballcarrier keep your eyes peeled for any members of the other team running ahead for the pass. If you see one, break off your attack and take them out, either by killing them or just knocking them into the pit.

When the enemy has blown by all of your defenders and bound to score, head for the ball spawn. Most of their team will have likely been part of the group that just scored, leaving a clear path for you to do the same.