How a round goes
- Tap Quick play and you are in within seconds: 5 operators per side, with bots filling empty places.
- Each round opens with 12 seconds to buy weapons, armour and grenades (the B key or the Buy button).
- Attackers carry the bomb to A or B and plant it by holding E for 3 seconds. It goes off after 40 seconds; defenders defuse it in 5 seconds, or 3 with a kit.
- A round lasts 1:55 with no respawns: a downed operator watches a teammate. The first side to win 7 rounds takes the match, and sides switch after round 6.
Money only inside the match
Every match starts at 800. A round win pays 3250 (3500 if the bomb explodes or is defused) and a loss 1400, plus 500 more for each loss in a row up to 3400. A takedown pays 100 to 900 depending on the weapon: SMGs 600, the shotgun 900, the sniper rifle 100. The money disappears when the match ends: there is no real money, no paid cosmetics, nothing to unbox and no random rewards.
Two sites and three lanes
Both maps follow the classic plan: left, right and middle lanes, with sites A and B on the defenders' side. A defender reaches a site in 8 to 10 seconds and an attacker in about 20, so attacks need a plan and defences need rotations. There is no line of sight between the bases.
Team deathmatch too
In a room with friends you can pick team deathmatch: 6 v 6, 6 minutes or 75 points, and a downed operator is back in 4 seconds. It has classes (rifleman, assault, support gunner, sniper, grenadier) and weapons that unlock with rank.
People and bots
Bots are never disguised: the BOT tag always shows next to the name, on the scoreboard and in the results. They buy, plant and defuse too, but they cannot see through walls and need time to aim. When a person joins, a bot gives up its seat.
FAQ
Is this Counter-Strike or Standoff 2?
No. Zarba is our own game in that genre, with its own maps, rules and code. The squads are fictional, with no real countries, agencies or insignia.
Do I need to sign up or download anything?
No. The game opens in the browser and picks a name for you, which you can change.
Can you buy weapons or cosmetics?
Only inside a round, with match money that disappears when the match ends. There is no real money, nothing to unbox and no random rewards. Weapon finishes unlock with rank in team deathmatch and are not stronger.
Is there blood?
No. A downed operator falls and fades away; a hit only kicks up dust.
Weapons, prices and controlsdamage, recoil, economy
Maps: Market and Portbomb sites and lanes