There are six playing modes in Tribes:
Deathmatch (DM): this mode pits you, a player against up to 15 others in a battle to gain the most frags after the timelimit is hit.
Capture The Flag (CTF): Two teams. One red, the other black, each with the goal of capturing the other teams flag. This is done by taking the other teams flag and returning it back to your base where upon touching it with yours, points are rewarded. Of course the other team is trying to do exactly the same! CTF games can be fast and furious with each team desperately trying to hold on to their own flag.
Defend and Destroy (D&D): The aim is to destroy the enemy objectives and to defend yours. First team to have all their objectives destroyed loses.
Capture and Hold (C&H): Grab an objective by touching the switch, and try to keep it under your team's control. Points are awarded for holding onto objectives for a set amount of time. Any defences associated with an captured objective also come under the team's control.
Find and Retrieve (F&R): A number of objects or flags are spread out around the mission map. The aim is to get every item/flag to your base. Of course the enemy are trying to do the same, so you'll have to retrieve items/flags from the enemy base, but they will want to do the same.
Multiple Teams: Up to four teams can play at once. Not played much online.
Deathmatch (DM): this mode pits you, a player against up to 15 others in a battle to gain the most frags after the timelimit is hit.
Capture The Flag (CTF): Two teams. One red, the other black, each with the goal of capturing the other teams flag. This is done by taking the other teams flag and returning it back to your base where upon touching it with yours, points are rewarded. Of course the other team is trying to do exactly the same! CTF games can be fast and furious with each team desperately trying to hold on to their own flag.
Defend and Destroy (D&D): The aim is to destroy the enemy objectives and to defend yours. First team to have all their objectives destroyed loses.
Capture and Hold (C&H): Grab an objective by touching the switch, and try to keep it under your team's control. Points are awarded for holding onto objectives for a set amount of time. Any defences associated with an captured objective also come under the team's control.
Find and Retrieve (F&R): A number of objects or flags are spread out around the mission map. The aim is to get every item/flag to your base. Of course the enemy are trying to do the same, so you'll have to retrieve items/flags from the enemy base, but they will want to do the same.
Multiple Teams: Up to four teams can play at once. Not played much online.