How to play Kerblob

Rules

• The first player to win 3 rounds wins the match.
• Each round starts with 5 crystals in the arena and lasts 60 seconds.
• The first player with 3 crystals in their zone wins the round straight away.
• When the timer runs out, the player with the most crystals in their zone wins the round. If the top count is tied, nobody scores that round.
• Walk over a crystal to pick it up and walk into your zone to drop it. You carry one crystal at a time.
• You can pick up crystals from the other players' zones. Crystals in your own zone stay put.

Keyboard controls

• Move: W A S D or the arrow keys.
• Dash: Shift. The dash charges for a moment, then fires in the direction you face. It has a 2.5 second cooldown.
• Throw: E throws the crystal you are carrying. Other players can catch it in the air.

Touch controls

Kerblob runs in mobile browsers on phones and tablets. Drag the joystick on the left side of the screen to move. Tap the dash button to dash and tap Throw to throw the crystal you are carrying.

Dashing and knockback

Dash into a player who is carrying a crystal to stun them, push them back and knock the crystal loose. The player who was hit cannot grab that crystal back for a moment, so it goes to whoever reaches it first: you or the third player. Watch where the other two are before you dash.

Power-ups

A power-up appears near the centre of the arena a few seconds into each round. Walk over it to take it.

• Boost: 30% faster movement for 4 seconds and an instant dash reset.
• Shield: blocks the next dash that hits you within 6 seconds. The player who dashed gets stunned instead.
• Magnet: picks up crystals from further away for 6 seconds.

Tips

• The zone of the player in the lead is the easiest place to find crystals. Taking one from them costs them a point and gives you one.
• Carrying a crystal slows you down. Throw it towards your zone when a dash is coming.
• Keep your dash for a carrier heading home. Using it early leaves you open for 2.5 seconds.
• Near the end of the timer, a crystal in your zone counts more than one in your hands.