TikTok LIVE Battles: How They Work and How to Add a Battle Overlay

According to TikTok's help center, a LIVE match is a co-host mode where creators compete against each other, solo or in teams:

• Solo match: each creator competes individually.
• Team match: creators compete as a team.
• Viewers support their creator by sending Gifts or liking the LIVE. Each Gift or like adds points, and whoever collects the most wins.
• Creators can choose whether all Gifts or only a specific Gift counts. In a specific-Gift match, viewers can still send other Gifts, but only the chosen one adds to the score.

TikTok also has power-ups that top contributors can earn during battles. Exact scoring, match length and power-ups can vary by region and change over time, so check TikTok's official help before promising anything to your viewers.

1. During your LIVE, tap +Hosts (or the co-host icon) and invite another creator, either a friend or a recommended creator.
2. Once they accept, the co-host starts.
3. Tap Match and send the invite. With more than two people, choose Solo match or Team match.
4. When the other creator accepts, the battle begins.

From a PC? If you stream with TikTok LIVE Studio, look for the co-host and Match options inside the app; names and placement can change between versions. If you stream through OBS with a stream key, interactive co-host features depend on TikTok's own apps, so check before you book a battle. New to PC streaming? See how to go LIVE on TikTok from PC.

• Pick an opponent your size. If one side always wins, it's boring. TikTok itself suggests matching with someone who usually earns similar points.
• Hype it up. Announce the battle at the start of your stream and again a few minutes before.
• Explain the challenge. If only one Gift counts, say it out loud and put it on screen.
• Shout out your supporters. Recognizing top contributors during the battle works better than begging for Gifts.
• Keep punishments respectful. Victory-lap dares still have to follow TikTok's Community Guidelines.

TikTok already shows its own points bar during a battle. Your own overlay lets you match it to your style and highlight the people backing you. TikRift has two widgets for this:

Battle: your battle scoreboard

Shows your points and your opponent's during the battle. What you can adjust:

• Style: Classic, Compact or Opponent.
• Transparent background, so only the scoreboard sits on top of your video.
• Hide my points or hide the opponent's points, if you'd rather not show one of them.
• Font: 6 to choose from.
• Name animation.

Battle MVPs: who contributes most in each battle

When the battle ends, it shows your top contributors with their official points for 7 seconds. You can choose:

• Style: Constellation or Medals.
• Number of MVPs: 1 to 5.
• Show names and points.
• Font (6 options) and name animation.

How to add them in LIVE Studio or OBS

1. In TikRift, open the widget and click Copy URL (fictional example: https://overlay.tikrift.com/t/d7Kq2mVx9LpR4sNw).
2. In TikTok LIVE Studio, add a Link source (the exact name can vary by version) and paste the URL. Alternatively, in OBS add a Browser source and paste the URL (500 × 400 as a reference size).
3. Place it in your scene and check it in the preview before you go LIVE. TikRift needs to stay open while you stream.

Placement: the scoreboard in the upper center, where people look throughout the battle; the MVPs on one side, away from your face. On phones, TikTok's interface covers the top, bottom and part of the side. More in our guide on TikTok LIVE overlay size and safe zones.

Pairs well with: gift alerts for big Gifts and a top gifters leaderboard after the battle.

• Constantly asking for Gifts. Viewers tune out. A clear challenge and genuine thanks work better.
• An overlay covering TikTok's battle bar. Keep that area clear.
• Not testing first. Check every widget in the preview before you go LIVE.
• Dangerous or humiliating dares. They can break the rules and get your LIVE restricted.