All PUBG Game Modes Explained



This article is designed for players who are relatively new to the game. If you need an overview of the many different game modes in PUBG, check it out.

Introduction

In the early days of PUBG, there was only one game mode: the normal battle royale match. Back then, when you got killed, you didn't even get to see the other player’s position or their screen. It was just over. Back to the lobby. Done.

Luckily, the ability to view your opponents screen was added to the game, so at least you knew what had happened. Step by step, more game modes were introduced, including training, ranked and other modes. This provided the opportunity to practice the combat system without spending much time in the lobby between matches.

Nowadays, players have a variety of options to choose from. The different game modes are tailored to suit different skill levels: noobs, advanced and experts. Particularly if you are new to the game, it’s a good idea to make use of the training and tutorial features, as PUBG can be challenging to learn from scratch. While it doesn't reduce the many hours of gameplay needed in a real scenario, it certainly helps to make survival more feasible. 

Let's start with the introductory modes, which are designed to enable a smooth entry into the world of the pioneer of battle royale. 
 

Game Modes 

Training  I  Normal  I  Ranked  I  Arcade  I  Custom

Training

The training in PUBG is divided into three distinct modes: basic training, training, and AI training match. 

Basic Training 

Basic training is designed to teach the fundamental basics of PUBG, such as movement, gunplay, and other essential mechanics. It is like a tutorial that you know from many other games right in the beginning. Learn to walk. Learn to shoot. 

Training 

This is the standard training mode, which has been enhanced over the past few years. It is like an open world on a very small scale. Here, you can walk around, summon any weapon – complete with all attachments and ammunition, and find numerous targets to practice the gunplay. There are several different areas, such as a shooting range, grenade pit, 1 vs 1 area, and others. 

Many professional players spend days in the training mode to master the recoil, enabling them to shoot with an assault rifle equipped with a 6x scope on distant targets with astonishing recoil control. 

AI Training Match 

In this mode, you play against 99 bots in a real battle royale scenario. This is recommended if you’ve never played an ordinary game before or if you’re struggling with human opponents. 

Initially, the bots just run towards you , unarmed, making it easy to score your first kills and get a feel for combat. But don't get used to it, this rarely happens in the normal game. 

Bottom line Training: 

  • Try out every weapon in the game.
  • You can't die.
  • Improve your gunplay, such as managing recoil, defining bullet drop, etc. 
  • Battle royale without human players.
  • Go through an entire game, from beginning to end. 
  • Great practice for beginners.

Normal  

If you feel comfortable and ready to experience the true essence of competitive battle royale, you can progress  to the normal mode. Within this mode, you have the option to either play the normal, casual, or event mode.

Casual Mode 

The casual mode would be the next logical step if you’re following a linear progression   in terms of difficulty level. Here, you play in squads against 88 AI opponents with three squads consisting of 4 human players each. Sometimes, you may end up in a one-man-squad. Be aware that as a solo player, you can only select the casual mode when switching to 4-man squads in the menu.

The casual mode is a great way to experience the battle royale format without  overly harsh competition. 

Normal mode

This is the gold standard for PUBG,the classic game mode that every PUBG player has played and initially learned.With 100 human players, it’s as real as it can get. You will encounter players with varying experience levels, from novices to hardened veterans. Eventually, you may secure your first, well-deserved chicken dinner.  You can play solo, duo or squads. All maps are available, but be aware that there is a current map rotation in place. Find more details here, look under map service.

Event Mode

The event mode can be accessed through  the normal match mode. On Xbox One, it currently features the Intense Battle Royale. Other events include: Zombie mode, Bizarre Battle Royale, or Fantasy Battle Royale. 

Intense Battle Royale 

Experience the late-game intensity of PUBG without early- and mid-game. Just a few squads compete against each other for the coveted chicken dinner. You parachute out of the plane with basic gear, and once you land, you can acquire an AR, SMG, or DMR from a random crate in your inventory. There are further supply crates scattered around the map.

This mode allows you to jump directly  into the intense combat phase, bypassing the sometimes tedious  looting phase. It is great for beginners and advanced players to develop some sobriety in this particular scenario. 

The community appreciates  this mode because it’s ongoing and lasts for several months. 

Zombie Mode 

Zombie Mode is another potential  event. Players have to survive hordes of zombies on a bridge. The more zombies you kill, the more points you get to buy better gear. Survive until level 10 to master this event.

Bizarre Battle Royale

This is quite a bizarre mode. Without spoiling the fun, all we can say is that it brings some unexpected fun from time to time. Definitely have a go once it's available! 

Fantasy Battle Royale 

This mode was an April's Fool Day-exclusive event from 2020. Unfortunately, it hasn't been featured ever since. 

This event  transformed PUBG into a RPG, with Erangel serving as the Dragon's Isle for a week. Players could choose to be a Ranger, Wizard, Paladin, or Barbarian.

Bottom line Normal mode: 

  • Normal Matches, real battle royale
  • TPP or FPP
  • Solo, Duo, Squads
  • Casual Mode (TPP only, Erangel)
  • Access Event Mode from here: Currently Intense Battle Royale 

Ranked Mode

This mode provides the closest experience to an Esports-style competition. Up to 64 players battle in squads and are ranked based on their respective performance, earning rank points, which affect their  tier and ranking. 

There are a total of 6 tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Master. Each tier is further divided into 5 divisions ( V-I ). The number of ranked points (RP) you earn determines your tier. The first five games, known as  the placement matches, are decisive, as your ranking is based on these games.

Performance is evaluated based on kills, assists, and your personal placement in the matches. 

Players are rewarded for  participating in ranked matches, with each player receiving a nameplate and emblem reflecting their tier. Players who achieve a gold rank or higher  by the end of the season receive a set of ranked reward skins.

Bottom line Ranked mode:

  • Toughest mode to get the chicken dinner.
  • TPP only (on Xbox One). 
  • Squads only, including one-man-squads. 
  • Only on Erangel, Miramar, Taego and Deston.

Arcade 

Currently, the arcade section only features an 8 vs 8 deathmatch. However, plans are underway to expand the section with more game modes soon. 

Deathmatch 

The classic deathmatch. In a 8 vs 8 setup, the first team to reach 50 kills wins. Your team has to win twice to secure the overall match victory. Respawn after 5 seconds. Only boosts are available during the match. When taking no damage, it takes 5 seconds for the health bar to refill automatically. Random maps. FPP only. 

The deathmatch is a great chance to practice your gun play in a real combat situation. Compared to the standard battle royale it is quite hectic, but you are able to try out different weapons and get a feel for the game mechanics, without going through an entire battle royale game.

Bottom line Arcade mode:

  • 8 vs 8 deathmatch as the only mode
  • More Game Modes Coming Soon

Custom

Create your own games! Reminiscing about the days, when you carried your desktop PC to afriend's basement for an extended gaming weekend. Even though it mostly took at least half a day to get everyone up and running on the same server, it was always fun when it finally worked. 

These days are long gone. Now, it’s much easier to stay at home, only needing to haul loads of munchies from the supermarket to keep you fueled throughout the weekend’s gaming marathon.

Custom mode possibilities:

  • Normal Mode
  • Esports Mode (esports rule settings)
  • Intense Battle Royale
  • Team Deathmatch 
  • Training Mode
  • War Mode (deathmatch with respawn, small static play zone, plane flys by every 40 seconds, kill gives 3 points, first team to reach 150 points wins, 15 min timer)
  • War Mode Conquest ( 2 Teams, controlling objectives)
  • Zombie Mode (Choose to play Zombie or human, last squad standing wins, zombies cannot loot or use weapons or doors, zombies can run faster and jump higher, superior attack speed and HP)

 

 

Further reading:

[Top 25] PUBG Tips and Tricks To Improve Your Chances Of Winning

PUBG Review - Is It Worth Playing In 2023?

PUBG Best Assault Rifles (From Worst To Best)

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All seriousness aside: coming from the least funny nation in the world, Wolfram's mission is self evident: remain earnest.
Gamer Since: 1998
Favorite Genre: PVP
Currently Playing: PUBG
Top 3 Favorite Games:DayZ, Battlefield 4, Dying Light


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