Punch Upon a Time Complete Mode List
40+ modes across the launch build, with one-line summaries and Pocket Item picks.
The launch build of Punch Upon a Time ships 40+ Squad Saga modes. This page is the canonical reference: every mode in the launch build, sorted by archetype, with a one-line summary, recommended Pocket Item, and difficulty rating. For deep dives into the signature modes, see the dedicated pages: Basketball, Red-Light-Green-Light, Long Live the King, and Sumo.
Score-attack modes
| Mode | Win Condition | Difficulty | Pocket Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basketball | Most dunks in 60 seconds | Easy | Big Top Hat |
| Golden Carrots | Collect the most golden carrots | Medium | Speed Boost |
| Coin Rush | Grab the most coins before the timer | Easy | Magnet Charm |
| Crown Capture | Carry the crown the longest | Medium | Shield Charm |
King-of-the-hill modes
| Mode | Win Condition | Difficulty | Pocket Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Live the King | Hold the throne the longest | Medium | Freeze Wand |
| Hot Potato | Hold the potato the longest | Easy | Speed Boost |
| Capture the Crown | Carry the crown to your base | Hard | Shield Charm |
| Throne Defence | Defend the throne for 3 minutes | Hard | Big Top Hat |
Elimination modes
| Mode | Win Condition | Difficulty | Pocket Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumo | Knock opponents off the platform | Easy | Big Top Hat |
| Last Squad Standing | Last squad with a living pilot | Medium | Freeze Wand |
| Sky Battle | Knock opponents off the sky arena | Medium | Speed Boost |
| Castle Siege | Breach the opposing castle | Hard | Big Top Hat |
Reflex modes
| Mode | Win Condition | Difficulty | Pocket Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red-Light-Green-Light | Cross the lane without being caught | Easy | Freeze Wand |
| Simon Says | Repeat the announcer’s inputs | Medium | Shield Charm |
| Beat the Clock | Tap the button when the timer hits zero | Easy | Speed Boost |
| Audio Cue | React to the announcer’s audio cues | Hard | Shield Charm |
Objective modes
| Mode | Win Condition | Difficulty | Pocket Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capture the Flag | Capture the opposing flag 3 times | Medium | Speed Boost |
| Escort the Princess | Move the princess to the safe zone | Hard | Shield Charm |
| Defend the Bakery | Defend the bakery for 3 minutes | Medium | Big Top Hat |
| Tower Capture | Capture the tower at the centre | Hard | Freeze Wand |
Hybrid modes
| Mode | Win Condition | Difficulty | Pocket Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brawl | Free-for-all elimination | Easy | Speed Boost |
| Relay Race | Complete the relay the fastest | Medium | Speed Boost |
| Trivia Tower | Answer trivia questions correctly | Easy | Shield Charm |
| Arena Rush | Survive waves of enemies | Hard | Big Top Hat |
How modes rotate
Squad Saga randomises the mode order from a pool of 40+ modes. The first round is always one of the four signature modes (Basketball, Red-Light-Green-Light, Long Live the King, Sumo). Subsequent rounds draw from the wider pool. The sky galleon shows the next three modes between rounds, which lets you plan Pocket Items in advance.
New modes after launch
The studio ships new modes every season. The Patch Notes page tracks every addition, and the Modes Hub updates with deep dives as new modes join the launch roster.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions.
How many modes are in the launch build?
40+ modes across the launch roster. New modes are added every season.
Which mode is the hardest?
Throne Defence and Arena Rush are the hardest modes in the launch build, requiring strong defensive coordination across the squad.
Do all modes count equally for sky galleon damage?
Yes — every mode deals the same damage to the losing squad's sky galleon. Mode difficulty does not affect the damage multiplier.