Cutting a trail: how to catch a rival in the open

The pilots at the top of the ladder are not the fastest. They loop when a loop is safe, cut when a cut is certain, and go home the rest of the time. Six habits, from the first match to the top of Nova.

1. Loop early, loop wide

In the first thirty seconds everyone is far apart. That is when a wide loop costs the least; the same loop at ninety seconds crosses three trails. Take your big ground early and defend it later.

2. Cut where the trail is long, not where the dart is

A rival's trail is exposed along its whole length, and the far end is the part they cannot defend. Chasing the dart makes you a target; crossing the trail behind it does not. Aim for the middle of a long trail and turn away as soon as you are through.

3. Home ground is a shield

A dart that rams you while you stand on your own ground is the one that goes out. When someone is hunting you and your trail is short, the answer is often to close it and wait a second on your ground rather than run.

4. Watch the standings, not the map

The list on the right is the score. When you lead, loops get smaller and cuts get rarer. When you trail, the biggest loop you can survive is the right play, because being cut costs you seconds and a wide loop costs the leader ground.

5. The last ten seconds

Ground counts at the final tick. A loop that closes with two seconds left counts in full; a loop that is still open counts for nothing. Start your last loop with ten seconds on the clock, not five.

6. Play with a party

Three friends in one arena is a different game: one cuts, two claim, and the standings reward the trio. Add friends by handle and the leader's Find match brings everyone into the same lobby.