---
title: "DDraceNetwork (DDNet): Complete Guide"
game: "DDraceNetwork"
game_url: "https://qna.gg/games/ddracenetwork"
author: "Qloud"
author_url: "https://qna.gg/players/Qloud"
topics: ["Co-op", "Weapons", "Maps"]
summary: "A guide to DDNet, the free, open-source co-op precision platformer: controls, the hook and weapons, freeze and tiles, teams and saves, the dummy, map difficulties and points, and how to improve from Novice to Brutal…"
url: "https://qna.gg/g/ddracenetwork-ddnet-complete-guide-0663fa95"
published: "2026-09-27T20:19:40.553Z"
updated: "2026-09-27T20:19:40.553Z"
source: "QnA.GG"
---

# DDraceNetwork (DDNet): Complete Guide

A guide to DDNet, the free, open-source co-op precision platformer: controls, the hook and weapons, freeze and tiles, teams and saves, the dummy, map difficulties and points, and how to improve from Novice to Brutal and beyond.

*Researched September 2026, current as of DDNet 20.1 (released 26 September 2026). Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.*

## Quick Start

1. **Play the Tutorial first.** Join the Tutorial server from the server browser. It teaches hook, jumps, freeze and hammer. DDNet 19.8 improved the experience of joining it.
2. **Then move to Novice servers.** The usual path is Tutorial, then Novice, then Moderate or DDmaX, then Brutal, then Insane.
3. **Co-op is the point.** Most maps need at least two players helping each other. Your hammer unfreezes teammates, and your hook pulls them.
4. **Join a team.** On most servers type `/team [number]` in chat so random players can't mess up your run. Lock it with `/lock`.
5. **Freeze isn't death.** A frozen tee can't move for about 3 seconds after leaving freeze. Teammates can hammer you free, or you can use kill (`/kill`) to restart.
6. **Use the dummy.** DDNet lets you connect a second tee (the dummy) and swap control, so you can practise co-op parts solo and play Dummy maps.
7. **Communicate with the pistol and emotes.** Shooting the pistol toward a direction is a standard "go there" signal, and Shift opens emotes.
8. **Ranks are global.** Every official server is connected, so your times count on worldwide leaderboards at ddnet.org.

## Controls

| Action | Default |
|---|---|
| Move left/right | A / D |
| Jump | Space (W also jumps by default since DDNet 20.0) |
| Hook | Right mouse |
| Fire weapon | Left mouse |
| Emote | Shift |
| Scoreboard | Tab |
| Console | F1 |

The cursor is limited to a circle around your tee, so aiming precisely matters. Set your mouse sensitivity so small hand movements give fine control. You can rebind everything in Settings > Controls. DDNet 20.1 lists unmodified binds before binds with modifiers there.

### Useful chat commands

| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
| `/team [number]` | Join a team (team 0 is the shared public team) |
| `/lock` | Lock your team so nobody else can join |
| `/save [code]` and `/load [code]` | Save a team's progress and load it later |
| `/kill` | Respawn at the start (or last checkpoint in some setups) |
| `/spec` / `/pause` | Spectate or pause (server settings apply) |
| `/rank` / `/points` | Check a rank or point total |
| `/practice` | Practice mode for learning parts (runs in practice mode don't count for ranks) |

Server rules can change which commands are available. `/help` or `/cmdlist` shows what a server supports.

## Movement: The Hook and Jumps

- **Hook** reaches about 11 tiles. It grabs hookable tiles and other players. Hooking a teammate pulls you toward each other, which is the base of most co-op parts.
- **Jumps:** you get a ground jump plus an air jump. Some maps change your jump count with special tiles. Wall jumps work only on designated tiles.
- **Hook swing and hook-jump timing** carry most skill. Practise releasing the hook at the top of a swing to build speed.
- **Unhookable tiles** can't be hooked. Learn to read map tiles quickly. The official tile explanation page shows every tile.

## Weapons

| Weapon | Availability | Main uses |
|---|---|---|
| Hammer | Always | Unfreezing teammates and launching them (a hammer hit knocks a tee back) |
| Pistol | Always | Signalling directions, emotes and reactions |
| Shotgun | Collected on maps | Pulls hit players toward you, and is used for movement tricks |
| Grenade | Collected on maps | Rocket jumps and pushing teammates |
| Laser | Collected on maps | Hitting teammates at range, and teleporting on maps with tele-laser tiles |
| Ninja | Power-up | A fast dash through set paths |

**Hammer is the most important co-op tool.** Frozen teammates can be unfrozen and thrown in the direction you hit them. "Hammer-fly" and hammer-launching a frozen partner come up constantly.

## Freeze and Map Tiles

- **Freeze:** touching freeze stops you moving. You stay frozen for about 3 seconds after leaving the freeze area. **Deep freeze** keeps you frozen until you touch an unfreeze tile.
- **Unfreeze tiles** thaw you instantly.
- **Teleporters, speedups, stoppers and switches** control flow. Checkpoints and start/finish lines time your run.
- Some maps give special abilities through tiles, like extra jumps or endless hook. Learn them from the in-game hints and the official tile guide.
- DDNet 20.1 shows freeze pickups as snowflakes to make them easier to read.

## The Dummy

The dummy is a second client connected under your name that you can control.

- **Switch between main tee and dummy** with the Toggle Dummy bind in Controls. From the console: `bind [key] toggle cl_dummy 0 1`.
- **Dummy hammer:** `cl_dummy_hammer` makes your dummy hammer automatically, which is great for "hammer-fly" style parts.
- **Copy moves:** `cl_dummy_copy_moves 1` makes the dummy copy your inputs.
- **Reset:** the wiki suggests a reset bind like `bind [key] "dummy_reset; cl_dummy_resetonswitch 0; cl_dummy_control 0; cl_dummy_copy_moves 0"` in case you get stuck in a weird state.

**Dummy** category maps are designed around this. You bring a frozen second tee to the finish.

## Map Categories and Points

| Category | Who it's for |
|---|---|
| Novice | Beginners, the simplest maps |
| Moderate | Intermediate players |
| Brutal | Advanced players |
| Insane | Experts |
| Dummy | Solo play with a dummy tee |
| DDmaX | Maps from the legacy DDmaX server era |
| Oldschool | Older nostalgic maps |
| Solo | Single-player, no interference from others |
| Race | Single-player race maps focused on fast movement |
| Fun | Just for fun, no points |

**Points:** each map is rated 0–5 stars. Points = stars multiplied by the category multiplier, plus an offset. For example, a 3-star Brutal map gives 24 points. You earn a map's points the first time you finish it.

**Rank vs Team Rank:** finishing in the top 10 gives separate rank points. Finishing in team 0 counts for **Rank**, and finishing as a team counts for **Team Rank** (25 points for 1st down to 1 for 10th). Other players can push you out of the top 10 later, so these points can change.

## What's New in 2026

- **DDNet 20.0 (27 August 2026):** 128-player support, an official **web version**, editor tabs so you can open multiple maps at once, Android input options, dynamic antiping player prediction, FPS improvements, W bound to jump by default.
- **DDNet 20.1 (26 September 2026):** prediction for static laser doors, a map-loading bar, freeze pickups shown as snowflakes, a more legible spectate menu, a team scoreboard adjusted for 128 players, better handling of low refresh rates, support for vanilla 0.6 clients again, optimised 128-player servers, and the ability to rejoin from any client.
- **Tournaments:** #64 DEATHBOW by Exotix (March), #65 TheRottingHalls (June, 2-player teams, 3 hours), #66 **Shortcut** by Zweitleben (20 September 2026, Brutal 4-star, team 0 allowed, first finish wins). Results go on the DDNet Tournament page.

## Common Mistakes to Avoid

- **Playing in team 0 on hard maps with strangers.** Blockers and random players can ruin runs. Make a team and `/lock` it.
- **Holding hook constantly.** Release timing is where the speed comes from.
- **Skipping the Tutorial and Novice maps.** The basics (hammer throws, hook swings, freeze control) carry into every later map.
- **Killing too early.** A frozen teammate can often be saved. Communicate before you `/kill`.
- **Forgetting `/save`** on long maps. Save your team's progress before you log off.
- **Ignoring the dummy.** It's the best way to practise co-op parts without a partner.

## Advanced Tips

- **Watch demos and ghosts.** DDNet records demos. The ghost of your best run helps you find where you lose time.
- **Learn standard binds** from the wiki's Binds page, such as a 45-degree aim bind, deep-fly dummy binds and weapon swaps. Put them in a `.cfg` file and run it with `exec [file.cfg]`.
- **Use practice mode** on hard parts, then do a clean run.
- **Play with a regular partner.** Team times need the same plan and communication every run.
- **Try the editor.** The map editor is built into the client, and 20.0 added tabs for multiple maps. Many top players map too, and it deepens how you read tiles.
- **Tournaments** are announced on Steam and ddnet.org. Unreleased maps mean everyone starts blind, which is a great test of fundamentals.

## FAQ

**Is DDNet free?**
Yes. It's free and open source, and it's on Steam, with an official web version since 20.0.

**Can I play solo?**
Yes. Solo category maps, the dummy for Dummy maps and co-op parts, and practice mode all work solo.

**What's the difference between DDNet and Teeworlds?**
DDNet grew out of the Teeworlds DDRace mod. It's a co-op race game with global ranks, thousands of maps and its own client. 20.1 even restored support for vanilla 0.6 clients.

**How do I unfreeze a teammate?**
Hit them with the hammer, or move them onto an unfreeze tile (hook them, or push them with a grenade).

**How are points calculated?**
Stars multiplied by the category multiplier, plus an offset, earned once per map. There are separate top-10 Rank and Team Rank points.

**Where can I see my rank?**
On ddnet.org, or in-game with `/rank` and `/points`.

## Sources

- [DDraceNetwork on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/412220/)
- [DDNet Steam news (20.0, 20.1, tournaments)](https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/412220)
- [DDNet Wiki: Getting started](https://wiki.ddnet.org/wiki/Getting_started)
- [DDNet Wiki: Ranks and Points](https://wiki.ddnet.org/wiki/Ranks_and_Points)
- [DDNet Wiki: Dummy](https://wiki.ddnet.org/wiki/Dummy)
- [DDNet Wiki: Binds](https://wiki.ddnet.org/wiki/Binds)
- [DDNet tile explanations](https://ddnet.org/explain)