Snake power-ups explained: all 9, and when to use each
Power-ups are what make multiplayer snake unpredictable. They appear as glowing pickups on the board in the Power-ups, Battle royale and King of the Hill rule sets and in the big arena. Classic and Duel games have none, so they are pure skill.
How power-ups work
- Drive your head over a pickup to take it. Each pickup shows its symbol on a coloured disc.
- Pickups don't last forever: one that nobody takes disappears after about fifteen seconds.
- Timed power-ups last eight seconds. You can see which ones you have in the bar at the top of the screen.
- There is only room for a couple of pickups on the board at once, so they are worth fighting for.
All nine power-ups
Which one to grab first
It depends on the situation:
- Surrounded? Teleport or Ghost.
- Lots of food or remains nearby? Magnet or Double points.
- A rival right next to you? Freeze or Fire.
- Behind on score near the end? Electric halves everyone else.
- About to take a risk? Armor first.
Golden food
Golden food is not a power-up, but it behaves like one: it is worth extra points and vanishes after a few seconds. In battle royale, golden food near the zone edge is a classic trap.
Power-ups in the big arena
The big arena has power-ups too, and one week in three the Power-up frenzy event doubles them. That is the best week to practise using them.
Frequently asked questions
How long do power-ups last?
Ghost, Double points, Magnet and Speed last eight seconds. Fire lasts six. Freeze stops rivals for about a second and a half. Armor lasts until it saves you once. Teleport and Electric happen at once.
Can I have two power-ups at once?
Yes. Timed effects stack, so Ghost plus Speed is a fast way through a crowd.
Why are there no power-ups in my game?
Classic games and ranked Duels have none, on purpose. Pick Power-ups, Battle royale, King of the Hill or the big arena.
