fiveversusfive

Fiveversusfive, often written 5v5 or five-vs-five, is a competitive team format in video games in which two teams of five players compete head-to-head. The format is standard in many team-based multiplayer games and esports, providing a balance between individual skill and coordinated team play. In 5v5 matches, each team typically has a fixed number of players, shared objectives, and symmetrical map layouts to ensure parity.

In MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2, 5v5 is the default mode, with five players per team selecting unique roles and a shared objective of destroying the opposing team's main base. In tactical shooters and hero shooters such as Valorant, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Rainbow Six Siege, the 5v5 configuration is common, emphasizing map control, coordination, and objective-centric play.

Drafting and banning phases are common in many 5v5 games, enabling strategic depth and counter-picking. Team composition varies by game but typically includes roles such as tanks or initiators, damage dealers, and supports or entry fraggers. Games emphasize communication, precise callouts, map control, resource management, and timing of objective attempts.

The 5v5 format has become a widely adopted standard for esports, shaping tournament structures, spectator appeal, and statistical tracking. Its fixed team size supports predictable pacing but also introduces meta-balancing challenges as developers adjust characters or equipment to maintain parity between teams.

See also: five-versus-five, 5v5 esports, list of games with 5v5 modes.