How to play Politigoal

Keyboard

On a computer you play with the keyboard, using the arrows or W, A and D. These are all the keys:

← → · A D

Move

← ← · → →

Sprint (double-tap)

↑ · W

Jump

Space

Kick

X

Special

Esc

Pause

Touch screen

On a phone or a tablet you play in landscape, with two thumbs. The buttons sit in the corners of the screen, so the pitch itself stays clear.

Left thumb: move. Slide from one arrow to the other.

Double-tap ◀ or ▶ to sprint

Right thumb: special, kick and jump.

The power meter

The meter fills on its own, faster when you touch the ball. When it is full, press Special. An "on touch" special arms for 4 s and fires on your next touch of the ball.

A power shot or a charge stuns the opponent for 1.5 s.

The specials

Each of the 29 characters has a special of its own. There are two kinds: 26 instant specials, which fire the moment you press them, and 3 on-touch specials, which arm and then fire on your next touch of the ball. Some guard your goal, some stop the opponent, and some send the ball on a path that is hard to stop. Each character page explains its special.

All the leaders and their specials

Pitch bonuses

Now and then a bubble appears. Whoever touched the ball last when it pops the bubble gets the bonus.

These are the bonuses that can pop up:

• Big head: Your head grows for 8 s.
• Speed: You run faster for 8 s.
• Ballot box: Your power meter fills up.
• Freeze: The opponent freezes for 1.5 s.
• Big ball: The ball grows for 8 s.

Modes

You can play the computer with no internet, or play real people online:

Vs computer

One match against the computer, at any level, with or without pitch bonuses. No internet needed. Draws are possible.

Election Campaign

Beat lists to win their seats, from the smallest to the largest. Reach 61 to form a government; three losses and it is back to elections.

Knesset Cup

Eight lists, three rounds: quarterfinal, semifinal and final. One loss and you are out.

Online

Play real people in real time. Pick a nickname, with no password and no email, and tap "Find me an opponent". You can also invite a friend with a link, watch matches being played right now, chat, and join the online Cup. Every online match moves you up the levels, and that is how more leaders open up.

Daily challenge

A new challenge waits every midnight: a set character, a set opponent, a bot at a fixed level and a goal, such as winning by 2 or winning without conceding. Everyone gets the same challenge on the same day, results go on a daily table, and finishing day after day builds a streak.

Weekly league

A new league starts every week. Every win in "Find me an opponent" is worth 3 points, plus 1 for beating a player at a higher level. Up to 3 matches against the same opponent count each week, and at the end of the week the top 3 go up on the podium and get a trophy.

Golden goal

In the Campaign and the Cup, a tie at full time goes to golden goal: the next goal wins.

Against the computer, you choose before the match whether a draw stays a draw or goes to a golden goal, with the "Golden goal if it is a draw" option.

Tips

• Do not fire your special the moment the meter fills. Wait for the right moment, such as when the opponent gets close to your goal or the ball is yours.
• Touching the ball fills the meter faster. The player who stays near the ball gets to the special first.
• An on-touch special stays armed only for a short while. Fire it when you are close to the ball, not from the other end of the pitch.
• Your head is part of the game: a well-timed jump turns a high ball into a header, and guards your goal against shots from above.
• The sprint is great for getting back to defend. A double tap on the arrow, on the keyboard or on the screen, is all it takes.