New Player Guide

The Basics

Sparkball is a 4v4 competitive 'sports brawler' on PC available through Steam. Players control unique heroes, each with their own abilities and playstyles as they work with their team to control the ball, outduel their enemies, and score in the opposing team's goal!

• PC only (for now!)

  • Minimal System Reqs (must have dedicated graphics card > GTX970)

  • Works on Steam Deck/Handhelds + Compatible with both Xbox/PS controllers!

• For fans of League of Legends, Rocket League, FIFA, Overwatch, etc.

• Average Match time: 10-20 minutes

Game Loop

Sparkball matches are best of 3 rounds, with each round decided by goal score. Each round typically lasts 5 minutes.

Rounds are made up of 2 phases:

1. Tower Phase

   1. Throw the ball into the tower to disable it (a 'Score')

   2. You have 10 seconds to destroy as many crystals as possible

   3. Upon reaching 0% (typically ~3 scores), the tower is destroyed and the goalie will spawn.

2. Goalie Phase

   1. On goalie spawn, a barrier is placed in front of the goal.

   2. Destroy the Goal Barrier by:

      1. Throwing the ball at the goal barrier

      2. Attacking the Goalie Crystal with your abilities.

   3. Once the barrier is down, you have 20 seconds to score a GOAL before the barrier respawns (one time only)

Quick Tips

• Do the tutorial! (It's only two minutes!)

• Find your main!

  • Try to hit under 30 seconds with a few heroes in our Target Practice course before playing your first matchmaking match.

• Don't get overwhelmed early on!

  • Sparkball is a test of how well you can balance ballin' and brawlin'. Your first couple games will feel overwhelming as you learn the controls, heroes, and train your brain to intuitively do both things at once. Don't be discouraged if it feels like too much your first game!

  • We usually see it 'click' in player's third or fourth match, but completing tutorial and Target Practice significantly speed that process up.

• Auto Attack (LMB) , Mounting (Z), and Recalling (B)

  • There is no penalty for auto-attacking (LMB). Make sure you're using it in between abilities and even while you're running away.

  • The cast time for Mounting is low, use it often! Engaging a fight on your mount is always a great way to get early positioning, especially for tanks!

  • Fighting at high HP is better than fighting at low HP! Don't be afraid to exit the fray quickly and get a recall off for an HP reset.

• 'Go Forward Syndrome'

  • Many new players attempt to immediately run forward and score with the ball only to suddenly be out of position.

  • Take your time and work with your team. Passing and catching grants you a shield and move speed bonus meaning ball possession can be the difference between winning a fight and losing one.

• Tempo is very important!

  • Just because you got the KO or scored doesn't always make it the right play! Sparkball is a game of momentum - a fully healthy team against a fragmented low HP one is a potential snowball waiting to happen.