How To Master Objective Control in Team Games

Mastering objective control in team games is essential for success, particularly in competitive environments like MOBAs (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas), first-person shooters, and real-time strategy games. Objective control refers to a team's ability to secure and maintain control over key map objectives that provide strategic advantages, such as towers, buffs, or objectives that lead to winning conditions.

In this article, we'll explore the concept of objective control in team games, the skills needed to excel at it, strategies for different types of games, and the impact it can have on overall team performance. We'll also discuss common mistakes teams make when attempting to control objectives and provide actionable tips for improving your gameplay.

Understanding Objective Control

Objective control is one of the most critical aspects of competitive team games. It revolves around securing specific locations or assets on the map that directly contribute to the team's overall success. Objectives are typically items or areas that provide power boosts, map control, or the ability to push the enemy toward defeat. The most common examples of objectives include:

• Towers: Structures that need to be destroyed to advance the team's progress toward the enemy base.
• Neutral Objectives: These could be buffs, healing items, or resource nodes that enhance a team's power and abilities.
• Boss Fights: In games like MOBAs, powerful enemies grant rewards or advantages for the team that defeats them.
• Resource Management: Whether it's gathering resources, controlling key zones, or maintaining supply lines, securing these areas can dictate the pace of the game.

Mastering objective control involves understanding the significance of these objectives, the timing of their capture, and the interplay between aggressive play and strategic positioning.

The Key Skills to Master Objective Control

1. Awareness and Map Control

One of the most important skills for mastering objective control is map awareness. You need to keep track of objectives' spawn timers, where the enemy is positioned, and which areas of the map are being contested.

Being aware of objectives' locations helps you prioritize which ones to contest and when. For example, in a MOBA like League of Legends, understanding when the Dragon or Baron spawns can decide whether to take an aggressive stance and engage with the enemy or focus on securing the objective first.

How to Improve Map Awareness:

• Know Spawn Timers: Learn when objectives respawn and plan your movements around them.
• Minimap Focus: Regularly glance at the minimap to see the enemy's positioning and anticipate their actions.
• Control Wards/Scout Tools: Use vision tools to gain information about objectives and enemy movements. This helps set up traps and secure objectives without facing unnecessary risks.

2. Team Coordination and Communication

Objective control is not just about individual skill but about how well the team communicates and coordinates efforts. Strong communication ensures that all members of the team are on the same page, whether it's engaging in a fight for the objective or pulling back to defend.

Effective Communication Tips:

• Clear Pings: Use in-game ping systems to indicate where the next objective is or whether the team should retreat or engage.
• Designate Roles: Assign roles within the team, such as who will focus on defending objectives, who will scout, and who will engage in the main fight.
• Timing and Synchronization: Ensure that the team attacks objectives together, creating a synchronized push that maximizes your chances of success.

3. Objective Focus and Prioritization

It's crucial to understand which objectives are the most beneficial to your team at any given moment. Not all objectives hold the same weight at all points in the game, and making the right decision about which one to pursue can be a game-changer.

For instance, early-game objectives might provide a temporary advantage, but later objectives (like a powerful boss or a late-game resource) could be the deciding factor. Knowing when to engage and when to back off is critical for success.

How to Prioritize Objectives:

• Objective Value : Consider how an objective will influence the game. For example, in Dota 2 , controlling the Roshan pit provides a significant advantage, while in Fortnite, controlling high ground or loot areas can be a game-deciding factor.
• Timing: Sometimes the best play is to wait for the right moment. Don't rush to objectives if the team isn't ready or if the enemy has superior positioning.
• Counter-Objective Play: If an enemy team is attempting to capture an important objective, sometimes it's better to contest their attempts by pushing another objective or pressuring their lanes.

4. Adaptability and Flexibility

Games can change rapidly, and your objective control strategy must adapt accordingly. Whether you're facing unexpected enemy movements or a change in the available resources, it's essential to remain flexible.

A rigid strategy might leave you vulnerable to counterattacks, so being able to pivot between different objectives and adjust to your opponent's playstyle is crucial for mastering objective control.

5. Positioning and Zoning

Positioning is critical during objective control, especially when trying to contest or defend key map areas. Zoning out the enemy, positioning yourself correctly during fights, and knowing when to push forward or retreat can influence the outcome of an objective contest.

Key Positioning Tips:

• High Ground and Sight Lines: Always fight objectives from high ground, as it gives you a visual advantage and makes it harder for the enemy to approach unnoticed.
• Choke Points: Control narrow pathways leading to objectives to force the enemy into unfavorable engagements.
• Retreat Routes: Ensure that you leave yourself an escape route in case things go wrong.

Strategies for Different Team Game Genres

1. MOBA Games (e.g., League of Legends , Dota 2)

In MOBAs, objective control is vital to the team's progression. Objectives like towers, neutral creeps, and powerful bosses (e.g., Baron in LoL or Roshan in Dota 2) often provide the most significant advantages.

MOBA Objective Control Strategies:

• Lane Pushing and Map Control: Push lanes to create pressure while securing objectives. Taking towers allows you to control more of the map, making it easier to contest other objectives.
• Farming and Buffs: Focus on securing jungle camps and buffs that give your team an advantage for fights over objectives.
• Timing and Vision: As previously mentioned, knowing when objectives spawn and ensuring the team has control of vision around these areas is essential for successful engagements.

2. FPS Games (e.g., Overwatch , Call of Duty)

In FPS games, objective control usually revolves around holding key points on the map, completing mission objectives, or denying the enemy access to critical areas.

FPS Objective Control Strategies:

• Area Denial: Use tools like grenades, traps, and positioning to control key objective areas and deny the enemy access to high-value spots.
• Flanking and Ambushes: In objective-based FPS games, flanking the enemy team during an objective push can be a game-changing move. Communicate with teammates to ensure you don't get caught out.
• Team Fights and Coordination: Engage in team fights near objectives to secure control. High coordination is necessary to make sure that everyone is defending or attacking the objective together.

3. RTS Games (e.g., StarCraft , Age of Empires)

In RTS games, objective control usually involves securing critical resources or controlling map space to prevent your opponent from gaining an advantage. This includes controlling resource nodes, tech upgrades, or map choke points that influence army movement.

RTS Objective Control Strategies:

• Resource Management: Control key resource points on the map to ensure that your economy grows while limiting the enemy's growth.
• Map Control and Vision: Constantly scout the map to know when and where objectives (e.g., expansions, tech buildings) can be seized. Keeping vision in key locations can often prevent your opponent from successfully pushing an objective.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

1. Overcommitting to Objectives

One of the most common mistakes in team games is overcommitting to objectives. Teams often dive into objectives without considering the broader context of the game. For example, chasing a kill near an objective can leave your team exposed to a counterattack, leading to a loss of control over that objective.

How to Avoid Overcommitting:

• Assess the Situation: Before committing to an objective, check if your team is ready and whether the enemy team is in a position to contest.
• Don't Fight for Every Objective: Sometimes it's okay to concede an objective if fighting for it would put your team in a worse position overall.

2. Lack of Vision and Awareness

Poor vision and map awareness can be detrimental to objective control. Without proper vision, it's nearly impossible to predict enemy movements or coordinate successful objectives.

How to Improve Vision:

• Use Wards or Vision Tools: Always ensure you have vision around important objectives and use them to prevent surprise attacks.
• Track Enemy Movements: Make sure to scout enemy positions and predict where they might engage.

3. Poor Timing

Objective control relies heavily on timing. Engaging too early or too late can result in losing the advantage.

How to Manage Timing:

• Track Respawn Timers: Always know when objectives will respawn and plan your moves accordingly.
• Know When to Fight or Retreat: Sometimes it's better to wait for the right moment to contest an objective, especially if the enemy team is too strong.

Conclusion

Mastering objective control is crucial for succeeding in team-based games. Whether you're playing a MOBA, FPS, or RTS, understanding the significance of objectives, mastering communication and teamwork, prioritizing effectively, and positioning yourself strategically can drastically improve your chances of winning.

By developing these skills, avoiding common mistakes, and tailoring strategies to your specific game, you'll be well on your way to becoming a master of objective control, helping your team secure victory after victory.

View Product