Intel Card — Hardpoint

Mode Details

Team Size: 1–6 Players

Mission Parameters: Two teams compete to control the Hardpoint objective as it rotates to different locations around the map. To score points, Operators must stand within the Hardpoint, indicated by the animated border surrounding the objective. When the Hardpoint is occupied, the in-game timer will pause.

The first Hardpoint activates 20 seconds into the match. Hardpoint lasts for a total of 60 seconds before moving to the next area; 10 seconds before the next Hardpoint activates, a lock icon will appear indicating its position on the map.

Match Win Conditions: In Public Matches, the first team to reach the score limit of 250, or the team with the highest score when the match timer runs out, wins the match.

Main XP Gains:

• Capturing and holding the Hardpoint.
• Eliminating enemies on or near the Hardpoint.

Key Terms and Definitions

100-Point Club: When one team wins a Hardpoint match via the score limit (250) while keeping the opposition under 100 points. The losing team is then deemed a member of the “100-Point Club.”

Contested: A Hardpoint with members of both teams in it becomes contested, preventing either team from scoring points until one of the teams is removed from the Hardpoint.

Hill: The “hill” or “zone” where points are scored.

Rotation/Rotating: What players use to describe the change of Hardpoint locations, or the act of getting to the next objective before the current one expires. Alternatively used to describe a set of Hardpoints.

Scrap Time: The final 5–10 seconds of an active Hardpoint.

Topline Tactics: A winning Hardpoint player:

• Gets on the Hardpoint and defends it with everything they’ve got.
• Rotates to the next Hardpoint early to establish an advantageous position.
• Attacks enemy-controlled Hardpoints in coordination with their team.

Recruit Tactics

Combine and capture: Hardpoint games are won and lost depending on your teamwork. Wandering around and earning kills like a Team Deathmatch is a recipe for losing control of objectives and allowing enemies to spawn in advantageous locations. Focus on the current objective and work with your squadmates to take the hill.

Learn the rotations: Don’t just rely on the in-game 10-second heads-up; knowing where the next Hardpoint will spawn is key to setting up an early defense. Consult the different Map Guides to view the Hardpoint hills for each map, use them on a second screen to refer to while playing.

Field Upgrade placement: Because the Hardpoint moves every 60 seconds, a stationary Field Upgrade like the Trophy System may not be helpful if the current Hardpoint is running out of time. A good rule of thumb is this: If the time left in the current Hardpoint is less than 30 seconds, consider saving a defensive Field Upgrade until the next location appears. Better yet, get ahead of the rotation and plant it at the next Hardpoint.

Advanced Tactics

Packing the Hardpoint: In Hardpoint, only one Operator needs to be on the point for their team to score. Therefore, in most scenarios, there is no need for an entire squad to bunch up in the small scoring zone, as that’s just asking for a Killstreak barrage or multikill to come in.

Packing the Hardpoint can be useful if it offers enough multiple cover pieces to hide behind. Note how large the Hardpoint is before getting the whole squad in there to better determine its suitability as a defense position.

Fight for “scrap time”: A common competitive callout is all about “scrap time,” the final seconds of an active Hardpoint. If the entire squad is rotating to the next Hardpoint and the game is close, try hanging back and picking up the final seconds of the last Hardpoint. Over time, those seconds add up and can be the difference between victory and defeat.

Chalk one, get the next: Another common tactic is to not waste resources — lives and time — against a Hardpoint that an enemy is defending. Move on and set up a better defense for the next Hardpoint.

Stick with one squad: Ask any pro player about the key to Hardpoint and they will stress the importance of having a group of like-minded players for these competitive game modes. Whether it’s finding a team on the outside or taking advantage of in-game social features, try working together with one squad consistently. Coordinate your tactics and keep practicing.

Setup for success: Hardpoint wins are not built only on good rotations — it also takes the entire team figuring out the best way to defend each hill, exploring the environment for the best vantage point over incoming enemies.

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