Stop Using The OCTANE... FENNEC Vs. OCTANE In 2023

Summary

In this video, Luke, a high-level Rocket League coach, breaks down the debate between two popular cars—the Octane and the Fennec. While both share the same hitbox, Luke explains why the Octane is the best all-around choice due to its height and width, making it more consistent for competitive play. However, the Fennec's visual hitbox aligns more closely with its true hitbox, offering improved reliability for advanced plays like redirects. Luke also introduces the subtle variation effect and the placebo effect, suggesting that switching cars periodically or using the Fennec can help players improve. Ultimately, he emphasizes that personal experience with a car trumps technical advantages, recommending players focus on what they’re most comfortable with for the best performance.

Takeaways

• 😀 The *Octane* is the most well-rounded and consistent car in Rocket League, favored for its top rankings in width and height.
• 😀 The *Fennec* uses the same hitbox as the *Octane* but has a more consistent visual hitbox alignment, improving touch accuracy in certain situations.
• 😀 The *Octane* hitbox's slight length disadvantage is offset by its superior height and width, making it the best choice for most competitive players.
• 😀 Pro players are increasingly using the *Fennec* for its better hitbox alignment, particularly when making redirects off the back or top of the car.
• 😀 The *Subtle Variation Effect* suggests that switching your car design over time can improve your learning and adaptation in Rocket League.
• 😀 The placebo effect plays a significant role in performance; if players believe a certain car helps them play better, their performance can improve simply due to confidence.
• 😀 Personal experience is the most important factor in choosing a car. Players who are more comfortable with a specific car will perform better with it, regardless of minor differences in hitbox performance.
• 😀 Even if the *Fennec* is technically better in some aspects, switching from a car you're highly experienced with (e.g., *Octane*) could lead to worse performance initially.
• 😀 For long-term improvement, players may benefit from switching between the *Octane* and *Fennec* every few weeks to leverage the *Subtle Variation Effect* and enhance learning.
• 😀 The best car choice is subjective and depends on what you're most comfortable with and your personal playstyle, not just the theoretical advantages of hitbox or visual alignment.

Q & A

Why is the Octane hitbox considered the best in Rocket League?

The Octane hitbox is considered the best due to its combination of top-tier height and width, which provide consistent performance for most touches, especially for 50/50s and air-ground mechanics. Although its length is the shortest of all cars, the balance in height and width makes it the preferred choice in high-level competitive play.

What is the difference between the true hitbox and the visual hitbox in Rocket League?

The true hitbox represents the actual collision area of the car, while the visual hitbox is the area players see on the screen. In Rocket League, these two rarely align perfectly, which is why cars like the Fennec, with a visual hitbox closer to its true hitbox, can offer better consistency in certain situations.

How does the Fennec's visual hitbox give it an advantage over the Octane?

The Fennec's visual hitbox aligns more accurately with its true hitbox compared to the Octane. This is especially beneficial for touches involving the back or top of the car, such as redirects or awkward touches, where the Fennec tends to perform more reliably.

What is the Subtle Variation Effect and how does it relate to car choice in Rocket League?

The Subtle Variation Effect refers to the brain’s ability to learn faster when there is a slight, consistent change in its environment. In the context of Rocket League, switching between cars like the Octane and Fennec can potentially improve learning and adaptation, leading to faster skill development over time.

Why do some pro players switch between the Octane and Fennec regularly?

Pro players often switch between the Octane and Fennec to benefit from the Subtle Variation Effect, which could enhance their learning speed and overall adaptability. This method helps players stay sharp and adjust to different situations that each car's visual hitbox might offer.

What role does the placebo effect play in car selection for Rocket League players?

The placebo effect suggests that if a player believes a certain car, boost, or customization helps them perform better, it may actually enhance their gameplay. In Rocket League, this means that if you feel more confident playing with a car like the Fennec or Octane, you may perform better simply because you believe it boosts your ability.

How important is personal experience when choosing between the Octane and Fennec?

Personal experience plays a critical role. Even if the Fennec has a slight technical advantage, a player with extensive experience using the Octane will likely perform better with it in the short term. Comfort and familiarity with a car are more important than a small hitbox advantage when you’re already accustomed to a certain playstyle.

Should I switch to the Fennec if I’ve been using the Octane for a long time?

If you have extensive experience with the Octane, it's recommended to stick with it for the short term. Switching to the Fennec might not yield immediate results, and you may initially perform worse due to lack of familiarity. Long-term, it could be beneficial to rotate between both cars to take advantage of their respective strengths.

What does the research behind the Subtle Variation Effect suggest about sensitivity changes in Rocket League?

Research on the Subtle Variation Effect suggests that changing sensitivity settings slightly over time can help players learn faster, as it engages a pathway in the brain that promotes faster skill development. This concept can apply to car changes as well, encouraging players to switch cars occasionally to optimize their gameplay learning process.

What is the best strategy for car selection in Rocket League if I want to improve over time?

The best strategy is to stick with the car you are most comfortable with for short-term success, but rotate between the Octane and Fennec every few weeks to benefit from the Subtle Variation Effect. Prioritize the Fennec in ranked games if you want to take advantage of its technical benefits, but don’t neglect the comfort factor of your current car choice.