Knife Backstab Guide (Rivals)
Rivals Knife: 20 Keys, backstab instakill, the best melee finisher, and how to land backstabs consistently.
Knife Backstab Guide (Rivals)
The Knife is the offensive melee in Rivals: 20 Keys and a backstab that is an instant kill. It is the strongest finisher in the game and the backbone of aggressive loadouts. This guide covers how to land backstabs consistently.
The Backstab Instakill
A Knife hit from behind is an instant kill in Rivals, regardless of the enemy's health. That makes the Knife the best melee for finishing low or distracted enemies and for stealing rounds with a flank.
The trade-off is no defense — unlike the Katana, the Knife cannot deflect, so positioning is everything.
How to Land Backstabs
Flank using slides and the double jump from Fists or Bow to approach from behind. Pre-aim the enemy's back and strike as you arrive. The rivals movement guide covers the slide-flank lines that set up backstabs.
In team modes, follow a teammate's engagement so the enemy watches them, not you.
Best Loadouts
Assault Rifle + Uzi + Knife + RPG for a balanced kit with a finisher, or Shotgun + Revolver + Knife + Flamethrower for pure rush. Both are in the best loadouts guide.
The Knife is the default melee in most competitive kits because the instakill is too good to pass up.
Maps for the Knife
Tight maps (Onyx, Bridge) are Knife heaven — short sightlines mean easy flanks. Open maps (Construction) need more slide work but still reward a well-timed backstab.
See the rivals maps tier list for where flanks are safest.
How to Unlock
The Knife costs only 20 Keys, earned in a session or two from tasks. It is one of the first melee unlocks every player should grab.
Pair it with free codes from the rivals codes page to unlock it almost immediately.
Knife vs Katana
The Knife is offense (backstab instakill); the Katana is defense (deflect). If you flank and finish, run the Knife. If you duel in the open, run the Katana.
Both are S-tier in the best melee weapons tier list.
A Warning About Fake Weapon Tier Lists
Before you trust any Rivals tier list, check the gun names. Several popular "tier lists" rank weapons that do not exist in the game. Rivals has 53 weapons plus 5 gamemode-exclusive weapons, and that is the entire arsenal.
These weapons are fabricated and are NOT in Rivals: Heavy Sniper, Pulse AR, Freeze Ray, Chainsaw, Battle Axe, cyber armor. If a list ranks a "Heavy Sniper", a "Pulse AR", a "Freeze Ray", a "Chainsaw", a "Battle Axe", or "cyber armor", treat the whole list as unreliable. Every weapon on this wiki is verified to ship in Rivals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Knife backstab instakill in Rivals?
Yes. A Knife hit from behind is an instant kill regardless of enemy health, making it the strongest melee finisher.
How do I land backstabs?
Flank with slides and the double jump, approach from behind, and strike as you arrive. The rivals movement guide covers flank lines.
Should I use Knife or Katana?
Knife for flanks and finishes (instakill), Katana for open duels (deflect). Both are S-tier melee.
How much does the Knife cost?
20 Keys — one of the cheapest and highest-value melee unlocks in Rivals.
More Rivals Wiki Pages
Related Guides
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Rivals Flamethrower: 400 Keys, close-range fire, area denial on tight maps, and how to use it in loadouts.
Katana Guide (Rivals): Hitscan Deflection
Rivals Katana: 45 Keys, deflects hitscan shots, best melee for defensive play, and how to build around it.
Minigun Guide (Rivals): 450-Key Suppression
Rivals Minigun: 450 Keys, suppressive fire, best angles to hold, and how to control the spread in loadouts.