# Strategies Used in Esports
  
## Understanding Tactical Approaches Across Game Genres

  

## Introduction

Esports is not just about fast reflexes — it’s about smart strategy. Whether it’s a **sneaky split push in a MOBA**, a **full-site rush in a tactical FPS**, or a **zone control tactic in battle royale**, high-level play always revolves around **strategic decision-making**.

In this guide, you’ll explore:

* Core esports strategies used across different game genres
* When and why each strategy is used
* Examples from real-world esports titles
* Tips to implement or counter these strategies
* Additional useful strategies beyond the basics

  

## Why Strategy Matters in Esports

In esports, **strategy is the bridge between individual skill and team success**.

* It helps teams **control the pace** of the game
* It allows players to **leverage advantages** (like map control or timing)
* It **reduces randomness**, making victories more consistent
* It’s what separates casual gameplay from **professional-level competition**

Most top-level teams build and adapt strategies **before, during, and after** games.

  

## MOBA Strategies (e.g. *League of Legends*, *Dota 2*)

MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) games involve objectives like towers, inhibitors, and the base. Strategy revolves around **lane control**, **map pressure**, and **timing of fights**.

### 1. **Split Push**

**What it is**:
Sending one player (usually a duelist or high-mobility champion) to pressure a side lane, forcing the enemy team to respond while your main team operates elsewhere.

**Why it’s used**:

* Applies pressure on multiple lanes
* Forces 1v1 or 1v2 situations
* Creates objective opportunities (Baron, Dragon)

**Example**:

* *Fiora* or *Tryndamere* in LoL, *Nature's Prophet* in Dota 2

**Counter it**:

* Use teleport to match
* Group and force a 5v4 fight before the split pusher can respond

  

### 2. **Funnel Strategy**

**What it is**:
Feeding all the gold and experience into one hyper-carry player while others support them.

**Why it’s used**:

* Creates an unstoppable carry in mid or late game
* Prioritises jungle + mid duo power

**Example**:

* *Master Yi* funnel strategy in LoL
* *Gyrocopter* with Io support in Dota 2

**Counter it**:

* Aggressive early invades
* Deny jungle control and vision
* Shut down the carry’s power spike

  

### 3. **Wombo Combo**

**What it is**:
Combining multiple area-of-effect (AOE) ultimates for one devastating teamfight.

**Why it’s used**:

* Forces enemies to spread
* Can instantly win a teamfight if landed

**Example**:

* *Malphite > Orianna > Miss Fortune* combo in LoL
* *Black Hole > Ravage > Epicenter* in Dota 2

**Counter it**:

* Use disengage tools
* Position with spacing
* Ban one part of the combo in draft

  

### 4. **Objective Control / Macro Play**

**What it is**:
Prioritising vision, towers, and jungle camps over direct combat.

**Why it’s used**:

* Safe way to snowball leads
* Reduces throw potential

**Pro example**:

* T1 and Gen.G are known for their objective-first macro play in LoL

  

## FPS Strategies (e.g. *Valorant*, *CS2*, *Overwatch*)

FPS titles rely heavily on **map control**, **timing**, and **communication**. Strategies here are designed to surprise, control space, or outplay setups.

### 5. **Rush / Blitz Strategy**

**What it is**:
A high-speed assault on a bomb site (or control point) before the defenders are fully set up.

**Why it’s used**:

* Catches defenders off guard
* Avoids complex set-up
* Used when on eco rounds or against weak utility

**Example**:

* *B-site rush on Ascent in Valorant*
* *Banana rush on Inferno in CS2*

**Counter it**:

* Early utility (smokes, mollies, flashbangs)
* Anchors with strong positioning

  

### 6. **Fake / Misdirection**

**What it is**:
Pretending to execute one area to pull defenders away before committing to the real objective.

**Why it’s used**:

* Manipulates enemy rotations
* Exploits gaps in map control

**Example**:

* Throwing smokes and flash at A, then rotating quickly to B
* Overrotating defenders to catch them mid-rotate

  

### 7. **Rotations / Map Control**

**What it is**:
Shifting team positioning based on gathered information or intuition.

**Why it’s used**:

* Keeps opponents guessing
* Allows retakes or flexible defence

**Best Practice**:

* Use early information-gathering agents (like *Sova*, *Cypher*)
* Keep at least one "lurker" for flank pressure

  

### 8. **Default**

**What it is**:
Spreading out players across the map to gain information and control space.

**Why it’s used**:

* Avoids stack sites
* Creates flexible options for attack

**Pro Tip**:
Combine with lurking (holding mid or spawn while others gather info)

  

### 9. **Contact Play**

**What it is**:
Walking silently into a site or zone without using utility, hoping to surprise defenders.

**Why it’s used**:

* Avoids giving away audio cues
* Works well against aggressive defenders

  

## Battle Royale Strategies (e.g. *Fortnite*, *Apex Legends*, *PUBG*)

These games involve **survival, looting, and positioning**. Success often depends on macro-level decisions.

### 10. **Zone Holding**

**What it is**:
Rotating early into the safe zone and holding a defensible position.

**Why it’s used**:

* Avoids chaotic mid-zone fights
* Gives high ground and cover advantage

  

### 11. **Third Partying**

**What it is**:
Waiting until two enemy teams fight, then engaging while they’re weak.

**Why it’s used**:

* Easy kills
* Conserves ammo and resources

**Warning**:
Can backfire if not timed well or if you get third-partied yourself.

  

### 12. **Edge Play**

**What it is**:
Staying on the edge of the circle and slowly rotating in.

**Why it’s used**:

* Fewer threats behind you
* Forces all danger to be in front

**Counter it**:

* Gatekeep by holding zone entry points

  

## Real-Time Strategy / Tactics (e.g. *StarCraft II*, *Age of Empires*, *Clash Royale*)

Strategy games where build order, timing, and counters are key.

### 13. **Cheese / All-In**

**What it is**:
A surprise aggressive strategy designed to end the game early.

**Why it’s used**:

* Catch the enemy off guard
* Win before they scale

**Example**:

* 6-pool rush in *StarCraft II*
* Tower rush in *Age of Empires II*

**Counter it**:

* Scout early
* Adjust your build order

  

### 14. **Economy Boom / Turtling**

**What it is**:
Playing defensively to maximise economy, then overpower with tech or army later.

**Why it’s used**:

* Best for late-game scaling units
* Works on large maps

  

### 15. **Timing Attack**

**What it is**:
Attacking when your build hits a power spike — before your opponent finishes upgrades.

**Why it’s used**:

* Punishes greed
* Wins with mid-game tempo

  

## Universal Esports Strategies (Cross-Genre)

These strategies apply across multiple genres and formats.

### 16. **Snowballing**

**What it is**:
Turning an early lead into an unstoppable advantage.

**How to snowball**:

* Pressure weak areas
* Deny vision
* Take objectives immediately after fights

**Counter it**:

* Turtle and wait for power spikes
* Avoid risky fights when behind

  

### 17. **Bait and Switch**

**What it is**:
Sending one player to draw attention while others prepare the real attack.

**Example**:

* A lurker in *Valorant* walks into site alone, dies, and pulls defenders while the rest push elsewhere.

  

### 18. **Double Bluff**

**What it is**:
Faking a fake. For example, starting a rotation, making noise, then returning to the original plan.

**Why it’s used**:

* Confuses teams who try to "read" your fake
* Punishes over-rotation

  

### 19. **Information Denial**

**What it is**:
Denying the enemy any idea of where you are or what your plan is.

**Example**:

* *Cypher* destroying enemy drones
* Playing off angles with no audio queues

  

### 20. **Tempo Control**

**What it is**:
Dictating the speed of the game — fast, slow, or unpredictable.

**Example**:

* A team known for slow play suddenly rushes
* Keeps opponents uncomfortable

  

## Pro Teams and Strategy Usage

| Team | Known For | Example Game |
| -------------------------- | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Fnatic (LoL/Valorant)** | Split push & map pressure | [Fnatic’s LoL VODs](https://www.youtube.com/@Fnatic) |
| **NAVI (CS2)** | Mid-round tempo shifts | [NAVI Highlights](https://www.youtube.com/@natusvincere) |
| **T1 (LoL)** | Objective-focused macro | [T1 Strategy Breakdown](https://www.youtube.com/@T1LoL) |
| **Team Liquid (Valorant)** | Utility layering and site fakes | [TL Valorant Plays](https://www.youtube.com/@TeamLiquidValorant) |

  

## Fun Facts

* The term **"wombo combo"** originated from a *Super Smash Bros.* tournament when two players comboed into a kill while a caster yelled “WOMBO COMBO!”
* Many FPS teams have **coded callouts** for fake strategies to avoid being overheard on LAN.
* In *League of Legends*, **Korea popularised macro play**, while **China favours aggressive skirmishing** — each region has its own preferred strategy.

  

## Suggested Activities for Learners

1. **Strategy Spotlight Presentation**

* Choose one strategy and present how it works in your chosen game.

2. **Strategy Lab**

* Run a scrim or custom game. Each team must use a different strategy (e.g. one rushes, the other defaults).

3. **VOD Breakdown Task**

* Watch a professional match and identify which strategies were used and when.

4. **Create a Strategy Playbook**

* Build a 3-page strategy document for your team with names, timing, setups, and counterplays.

  

## Useful Links and Resources

* [British Esports Association – Strategy Articles](https://britishesports.org)
* [ProGuides – Tactical Analysis](https://www.proguides.com)
* [Valorant Coaching Network](https://discord.gg/valorantcoaching)
* [League of Legends Pro VODs](https://lolesports.com)
* [GamerzClass Strategy Series](https://gamerzclass.com)

  

## Final Thoughts

Esports strategies are the heartbeat of competitive play. They evolve with patches, metas, and team dynamics, but the **core principles** remain the same: control space, surprise your enemy, and play to your team’s strengths.

Understand multiple strategies
Know when to use them
Learn to recognise and counter opponent plans
Practice adapting in real time