The Impact of Bodies and the Most Used Car in Rocket League

One of the most important aspects of the Rocket League is the choice of the car body, which can affect the performance and style of the player. But do bodies really make a difference in Rocket League? And what is the most used car in Rocket League?

Car Body Types

According to the Rocket League Wiki, each car body in the game has one of six default body types, also known as hitboxes. These are Octane, Dominus, Plank, Breakout, Hybrid, and Merc. These standardized hitboxes were introduced in Patch v1.35, the Anniversary Update. Before then, each vehicle had its own unique properties.

The hitbox determines the shape and size of the car's collision area, which affects how the car interacts with the ball, the walls, and other cars. The hitbox also affects the turning radius and ground height of the car, which affects how the car handles and maneuvers. The hitbox does not necessarily match the visual model of the car, which can cause some confusion and inconsistency.

The dimensions and characteristics of each body type are as follows:

• Octane: Length: 118.01; Width: 84.20; Height: 36.16; Surface area: 34495; Turning average: 2.18; 0% boost speed: 2.323; 100% boost speed: 1.967; Ground height: 48.47; Inclination: -0.55°

• Dominus: Length: 127.93; Width: 83.28; Height: 31.30; Surface area: 33632; Turning average: 2.18; 0% boost speed: 2.336; 100% boost speed: 2.035; Ground height: 45.15; Inclination: -0.97°

• Plank: Length: 128.82; Width: 84.67; Height: 29.39; Surface area: 32138; Turning average: 2.10; 0% boost speed: 2.323; 100% boost speed: 1.967; Ground height: 55.86; Inclination: -0.37°

• Breakout: Length: 131.49; Width: 80.52; Height: 30.30; Surface area: 31812; Turning average: 2.14; 0% boost speed: 2.345; 100% boost speed: 2.014; Ground height: 54.86; Inclination: -0.99°

• Hybrid: Length: 127.02; Width: 82.19; Height: 34.16; Surface area: 34863; Turning average: 2.17; 0% boost speed: 2.342; 100% boost speed: 2.014; Ground height: 45.45; Inclination -0.55°

• Merc (added in Patch v1.81): Length:120.72 ; Width :76 .71 ; Height :41 .66 ; Surface area :unknown ; Turning average :unknown ; Boost speeds :unknown ; Ground height :unknown ; Inclination :unknown

As you can see, there are some differences between the body types in terms of length, width, height, surface area, turning radius, speed, ground clearance, and inclination angle.
Car Body Effects
So how do these differences affect the gameplay? Well, it depends on your playstyle and preference.

Some players prefer taller cars like Octane or Merc because they have more vertical surface area to block or win kick-offs and challenges (also known as "50/50s"). They also have an easier time dribbling without dropping the ball or flicking it over opponents.

Some players prefer longer or wider cars like Dominus or Plank because they have more horizontal surface area to hit or control the ball with more power or accuracy. They also have more reach when going for aerials or wall shots.

Some players prefer lower or flatter cars like Breakout or Hybrid because they have less drag and more stability when driving or flying fast. They also have a lower center of gravity which makes them more agile and responsive.

Some players prefer cars that match their hitbox shape more closely like Fennec or Batmobile because they have less visual discrepancy and more consistency when hitting or touching the ball.

Ultimately, there is no definitive answer to which car body type is better or worse than others, as they all have their pros and cons. It comes down to personal preference and comfort, as well as adaptation and skill.

Car Body Popularity

So what is the most used car in Rocket League? Well, according to various sources, the most popular car body type by far is the Octane, followed by the Fennec and the Dominus. These three cars account for the majority of the player base and the competitive scene, as they offer a balanced and versatile playstyle that suits most players.

The Octane is the default car choice when you first start the game, and it is also one of the original cars from the game's predecessor, Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars (SARPBC). It has a well-rounded hitbox that allows for precise dribbling, powerful shots, and consistent touches. It is also the most used car by professional players, such as SquishyMuffinz, Kronovi, Kaydop, Musty, Lethamyr, and many more.

The Fennec is one of the newer cars in Rocket League, released in July 2019. It uses the same hitbox as the Octane, but it has a more boxy and square shape that matches the hitbox better. Some players find this more comfortable and easier to get power and placement when hitting the ball. More and more players have switched from cars like Octane or Dominus to play the Fennec in competitive matches.

The Dominus is one of the earliest DLC cars in Rocket League, released in August 2015. It uses a long and flat hitbox that resembles a muscle car. It has a lot of horizontal surface area to hit the ball with more force or accuracy. It is also one of the most popular cars for freestyling and trick shots, as it allows for more creativity and innovation.
Of course, there are other cars that are also popular and viable in Rocket League, such as the Batmobile, the Breakout, or the Merc. However, these cars are less common or more niche than the top three cars mentioned above.

Conclusion

Car bodies do make a difference in Rocket League, as they have different hitboxes and characteristics that affect how they interact with the ball, the walls, and other cars. However, there is no definitive answer to which car body type is better or worse than others, as they all have their pros and cons. It comes down to personal preference and comfort, as well as adaptation and skill.

The most used car in Rocket League is the Octane, followed by the Fennec and the Dominus. These three cars offer a balanced and versatile playstyle that suits most players. However, there are other cars that are also popular and viable in Rocket League, such as the Batmobile, the Breakout, or the Merc. Ultimately, you should choose the car that you like and enjoy playing with.