PUBG Game Modes: From Classic Battle Royale to Training
Contents
PUBG officially splits its formats into three groups: classic Battle Royale, the modes in the Arcade section, and the training loop. The data below is drawn from the Game Info Overview page, the Arcade page, and the 42.2 patch notes.
Classic Battle Royale
The core format: up to 100 players on a map, in three team-size variants:
- Solo — everyone for themselves;
- Duo — teams of two;
- Squad — teams of up to four.
A match is built around the shrinking Blue Zone, which gradually compresses the playable area. For an overview of the maps these matches happen on, see our piece on every PUBG map.
The Arcade section
Arcade is a separate category of shorter, usually team-based modes. As of the last check of the official page, the modes listed as active are:
- Team Death Match — 16 players, two teams of 8, with respawns after death and play up to a set score;
- Intense Battle Royale — the second active mode, listed on the page without a detailed rule breakdown in text form.
The official page also lists modes that previously existed in Arcade but are no longer supported: Fantasy Battle Royale, POBG, Monster Chicken Royale, Halloween Battle Royale, Zombie Survival, Racing Mode. This is a historical list, not the current rotation — players shouldn’t expect to see these modes in the game today.
The training loop
Separate from the combat modes, PUBG officially offers preparation tools:
- Camp Jackal — a ground for practicing shooting, parachuting, and driving without risking elimination;
- Basic Training — 17 sections, roughly 10 minutes, with grades from B to S+ for each section;
- Beginner Training — daily missions over 14 days, with a 30-day window to claim rewards.
For more on the structure of the actual first combat match that follows this training, see our piece on your first chicken dinner.
What isn’t officially stated
- No full rule text for Intense Battle Royale. The mode is named on the list of active ones, but a detailed mechanics description isn’t on the verified page.
- No schedule for when a specific Arcade mode is available in queue. Whether a mode is currently available is a matter of current server settings, not a fixed official calendar.
- No confirmation on whether retired modes will return. The list of retired modes states the fact of their absence, without a forecast.
How the formats relate to each other
Classic Battle Royale remains the core mode and the main source of ranked points, covered in more detail in our piece on PUBG ranked tiers. Arcade is officially positioned as shorter matches outside the main ranked system, while the training loop serves as a preparation stage that doesn’t earn ranked points or game progress comparable to the combat modes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the core formats of classic Battle Royale in PUBG?
Solo, Duo, and Squad — that's the official description on the Game Info Overview page. A Squad is made up of at most four players.
What is the Team Death Match mode in Arcade?
It's a 16-player mode — two teams of 8 — with respawns after death and play up to a set score. The official Arcade page lists it as an active mode, not a retired one.
What is Intense Battle Royale?
The second active mode in the Arcade section, per the official page. The page lists it among the available modes without spelling out the full rule set in text.
Which Arcade modes have already been retired?
The official page names Fantasy Battle Royale, POBG, Monster Chicken Royale, Halloween Battle Royale, Zombie Survival, and Racing Mode as modes no longer among the active ones. It's a historical list, not the current rotation.
How do the training modes differ from Arcade?
Camp Jackal, Basic Training, and Beginner Training are preparation tools with no opponents and no elimination, while Arcade consists of full competitive modes against other players. Training doesn't replace combat experience — it just lowers the barrier to getting into it.