Esports lobbies rotate through several maps, and each one rewards a different style. Instead of memorising a list of landing spots that changes with every game update, this guide focuses on the principles of each map, so that your team can adapt.
Erangel
Erangel is the classic, a large map with mixed terrain, open fields and many small towns and compounds. It tends to favour teams that rotate smartly, because long open stretches punish players caught in the middle of a field.
Key ideas:
- Fights are often long range. Marksman rifles and scopes matter.
- Vehicles are essential for rotations; a team without one is often late.
- The final circles in open ground make smoke grenades and cover placement very important.
- Popular drop zones are crowded early. Choosing a quieter area gives a safer start, while a hot drop gives early kills but a high risk of an early exit.
Miramar
Miramar is a desert map with large open spaces, hills and a few dense towns. It rewards patience and positioning. The terrain is rough, so vehicles are less reliable than on Erangel, and long-range fights are common.
Key ideas:
- High ground and rocks give good cover; shift from one to another rather than running across flat sand.
- Sniper and marksman builds are strong, but only if the team stays together.
- Because zones are wide, information from a scout is very valuable.
- Team compounds in towns offer strong defence in the late game.
Sanhok
Sanhok is a small, dense jungle map with fast games. The circle closes quickly and fights happen early and often. It is the favourite for aggressive teams.
Key ideas:
- Close and mid-range weapons (SMGs, assault rifles, shotguns) work well.
- The early game decides placement; teams that land away from the action can fall behind in kill points.
- Rotations are short, so staying in the safe zone matters less than controlling a strong building or hill.
- Smaller maps leave less time to heal, so carry plenty of healing items.
Principles that apply everywhere
- Pick a plan before the plane arrives. Agree on the drop, the first rotation and a fallback.
- Loot for a purpose. Four players should end with a mix of weapons, enough grenades and healing items, and at least one vehicle.
- Move early, not late. Teams moving inside the safe zone before the circle shrinks have more options than those running to beat the damage.
- Use the safe zone edges. Fighting from outside in is easier than inside out, because enemies are coming towards you.
- Review each match. Note where you took damage and from what direction. The same pattern repeats.
Map choice and points
Because kills are worth the same on every map, the map changes how you earn points. On Sanhok kill points tend to be larger, while on Erangel and Miramar placement points do more of the work. Check how your points table is shaped (see the points system guide) and adjust your risk level.
Game updates change loot tables, vehicle spawns and map details regularly, so always test changes in scrims before using them in a tournament.