DDraceNetwork is a free, open source cooperative 2D precision platformer built on the Teeworlds engine, and it arrived on Steam on 17 August 2020. Up to 64 players share one server and drag each other through thousands of community maps using a grappling hook and a hammer. Official servers run across 14 countries, and every finish feeds a single global points table holding over 33,000 points.
Combat in DDraceNetwork rewards knowledge over reflexes. Understanding how each mechanic works (and how they interact) is what turns a struggling player into a dominant one. New here? Start with our beginner's guide for the basics.
Core Combat Mechanics
1. Grappling hook movement
The hook reaches roughly 11 blocks and accelerates you toward whatever it grabs until you hit the cap of about 20 blocks per second. Hooking a teammate instead of a wall lets a pair swing, throw and carry each other across gaps neither tee could cross alone.
Why it matters: This is the foundation of all combat. Everything else builds on this.
2. Freeze and deep freeze tiles
A freeze tile disables movement keys, jumping, the hook and every weapon for a few seconds. Deep freeze refreshes that three second countdown once per second, so only an Undeep tile clears it and a teammate hammer does nothing at all.
Why it matters: The most underrated mechanic. Players who master this early have a massive advantage.
3. Hammer unfreezing
The hammer is short ranged melee that instantly releases any tee it touches from freeze. It never applies downward force, only sideways and upward, which is exactly why hammerjump and hammerfly are built on top of it.
Why it matters: Unlocks a new layer of gameplay depth once understood.
4. Team system with save codes
Typing /team followed by a number drops you into a private team where every member has to reach the finish together. The /save and /load commands store that team state behind a code, so a group can stop halfway through a Brutal map and resume the identical run days later.
Why it matters: The tactical edge that separates average players from advanced ones.
5. Points scaled by map difficulty
Points depend on the server category plus the map star rating. A Moderate map at 0 stars pays 5 points and a Brutal map at 3 stars pays 24, and each map only ever pays once no matter how many regional servers you finish it on.
Why it matters: The endgame optimization mechanic. Small improvements here compound into massive gains.
How These Mechanics Combine
Understanding how mechanics interact is where real optimization happens:
Grappling hook movement + Freeze and deep freeze tiles
The hook reaches roughly 11 blocks and accelerates you toward whatever it grabs until you hit the cap of about 20 blocks per second. When combined with Freeze and deep freeze tiles, a freeze tile disables movement keys, jumping, the hook and every weapon for a few seconds. This combination is the core of every effective build.
Hammer unfreezing + Team system with save codes
The hammer is short ranged melee that instantly releases any tee it touches from freeze. Paired with Team system with save codes, typing /team followed by a number drops you into a private team where every member has to reach the finish together. This is why the tier list favors builds that leverage both.
Points scaled by map difficulty as a Multiplier
Points depend on the server category plus the map star rating. A Moderate map at 0 stars pays 5 points and a Brutal map at 3 stars pays 24, and each map only ever pays once no matter how many regional servers you finish it on. This system amplifies everything else. The better your Points scaled by map difficulty optimization, the more your other mechanics pay off.
Combat by Role
Each role approaches combat differently:
Novice runner (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Hook Primary mechanic: Grappling hook movement
Novice runner offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Rank chaser (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Hammer Primary mechanic: Freeze and deep freeze tiles
Rank chaser offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Team carry (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Shotgun Primary mechanic: Hammer unfreezing
Team carry offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Dummy solo player (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Grenade launcher Primary mechanic: Team system with save codes
Dummy solo player offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Map maker (A-Tier)
Combat approach: Balanced combat style. Key weapons: Laser rifle Primary mechanic: Points scaled by map difficulty
Map maker offers a solid combat experience. Full setup in our builds guide.
Advanced Combat Techniques
Damage Optimization
- Match your weapons to your role's stat priorities
- Exploit Grappling hook movement for maximum damage windows
- Chain Freeze and deep freeze tiles and Hammer unfreezing for combo damage
- Use Team system with save codes to create openings
Survivability
- Learn enemy patterns before committing to attacks
- Bind the dummy toggle to a single key before doing anything else. Almost every solo technique, from deepfly to dummy hammer parts, assumes you can swap control between two tees without pausing to open a menu.
- Position using Grappling hook movement to control spacing
- Save defensive options for guaranteed survival, not comfort
Boss Combat
Bosses test your understanding of every mechanic. See our boss guide for fight-specific strategies.
- Phase awareness: Most bosses change behavior at health thresholds
- Patience over aggression: One extra hit per opening beats dying to greed
- Build preparation: Swap gear and weapons for specific fights when needed
Common Combat Mistakes
- Button mashing: Committed attacks have recovery frames. Mashing locks you into animations.
- Ignoring Freeze and deep freeze tiles: This mechanic exists for a reason. Players who use it take significantly less damage.
- Wrong weapons for the situation: Check our weapons guide for situational picks.
- Not learning from deaths: Every death teaches something. If you don't know why you died, you'll die the same way again.
- Overcommitting: Trading hits works in Novice but will get you killed in Solo.
More DDraceNetwork Guides
- DDraceNetwork DDraceNetwork Overview
- DDraceNetwork Best Builds
- DDraceNetwork Tier List
- DDraceNetwork Walkthrough
- DDraceNetwork Beginner's Guide
- DDraceNetwork Tips & Tricks
- DDraceNetwork Weapons Guide
- DDraceNetwork Boss Guide
- DDraceNetwork Maps & Locations
- DDraceNetwork Crafting Guide
- DDraceNetwork Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy DDraceNetwork, check out these related guides:
- Helldivers 2 Combat Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Black Myth: Wukong Combat Guide: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Combat Guide: action game with similar mechanics
