Tournament rules

1.General provisions

1. 1.1 These rules apply to every tournament under "Ladder → Tournaments". By registering or joining a team, a player accepts these rules and the server rules.
2. 1.2 The terms of a specific tournament (format, dates, number of teams, match format and prizes) are listed on its page and take precedence over these general rules.
3. 1.3 Tournaments are run by the server administration. The referee is the administration representative assigned to the tournament. Their instructions during the tournament are binding and their rulings on disputes are final.
4. 1.4 All tournament times are Moscow time (MSK).
5. 1.5 Participation is free. Server staff don't take part in tournaments or play for teams.

2.Participants and teams

1. 2.1 A participant is a player with a site account linked to a game account. Only a level 110 character from your own game account may play.
2. 2.2 One player, one team per tournament. One character, one team.
3. 2.3 The captain creates the team: names it, picks their character and invites teammates by site nickname. The captain is responsible for the team: checks it in before the start and stays in contact with the referee.
4. 2.4 Until registration closes the roster can change: a player may leave, the captain may remove or invite players, and everyone may switch their character. When registration closes, rosters and characters are locked and no substitutions are allowed.
5. 2.5 Team names follow the same requirements as character names: no insults, profanity, advertising or impersonation of the administration. The referee renames an unsuitable team; a repeat removes the team from the tournament.
6. 2.6 Playing for someone else, on another person's account or character, is forbidden. A team that fields an unregistered player is disqualified.

3.Registration and check-in

1. 3.1 Registration runs until the time shown on the tournament page. Slots are limited: every created team takes a slot, including incomplete ones.
2. 3.2 Only teams with a full roster when registration closes enter the bracket: 2 players for 2v2, 3 players for 3v3.
3. 3.3 If the tournament has a check-in, the captain presses "We're here" on the tournament page between the start of check-in and the start of the tournament. Teams that don't check in are left out of the bracket.
4. 3.4 If fewer than two teams are complete, the tournament is postponed or cancelled. This is announced on the tournament page and in the news.

4.Bracket and seeding

1. 4.1 Tournaments are single elimination: the team that loses a series is out, the winner advances.
2. 4.2 Seeding uses the team's average arena rating in the tournament bracket (2v2 or 3v3) at the moment the bracket is created. The strongest teams are placed in different halves and meet as late as possible.
3. 4.3 If there are fewer teams than bracket slots, the top seeds get a first-round bye.
4. 4.4 If the tournament page lists a 3rd place match, the semifinal losers play it. Without it, both semifinalists share 3rd place.
5. 4.5 Match times are published in the bracket on the tournament page. A team plays its next match once its opponent is known; follow the bracket and the announcements on Discord.

5.Matches

1. 5.1 A match is a series of games up to the required number of wins: Bo1 is one game, Bo3 is first to 2, Bo5 first to 3, Bo7 first to 4. The format of regular matches and the final is listed on the tournament page.
2. 5.2 Games are played in the server's arenas. The referee announces how games are run (War Games between groups or moving the teams into an arena) and the arena for each game. Teams may agree on arenas if the referee allows it.
3. 5.3 The character registered to the team plays. Between games you may change specialization, talents, PvP talents and gear.
4. 5.4 Everything normally available to players on the server is allowed. Bugs, exploits, third-party software and anything the server rules forbid are not.
5. 5.5 Teams gather in game at the scheduled time and tell the referee they are ready. Being more than 10 minutes late is a match forfeit.
6. 5.6 A disconnect before the game starts, while the gates are closed, restarts the game. Once the gates open the game goes on; it can be replayed only by the referee's decision if the disconnect was caused by a server failure.
7. 5.7 Teams take a screenshot of the final scoreboard of every game. If a result is disputed and there is no screenshot, the referee decides.

6.Results and disputes

1. 6.1 The referee enters the match score, and it then appears in the bracket on the site.
2. 6.2 A forfeit is given for a no-show, lateness, refusing to play or breaking the rules. The opponent advances with a winning series score, for example 2:0 in a Bo3.
3. 6.3 The captain files a result dispute with the referee within 30 minutes after the game, on Discord or as a forum thread, with screenshots or video. The referee's ruling is final.
4. 6.4 The referee corrects a wrong score as long as the teams' next match hasn't been played.

7.Prizes

1. 7.1 AZ Coins prizes for each place are listed on the tournament page. A team's prize is split evenly between its players.
2. 7.2 Prizes are credited to each player's AZ Coins balance after the final and a results check. Players get a site notification.
3. 7.3 Prizes are not paid out or exchanged for money.
4. 7.4 A disqualified team, including one disqualified after the final but before prizes are credited, gets no prize. A violation found after payout may lead to the prize being taken back and to penalties under the server rules.

8.Fair play and conduct

1. 8.1 Match fixing is forbidden: losing on purpose, handing over a win, collusion between teams.
2. 8.2 Insulting opponents or the referee, provocation and harassment are forbidden in game, on the site and on Discord.
3. 8.3 Deliberately stalling a match is forbidden: not showing up for a game, wasting time before the gates open, ignoring the referee.
4. 8.4 Impersonating another player or team and registering fake teams is forbidden.

9.Changes and cancellation

1. 9.1 The administration may reschedule matches, change the schedule or cancel a tournament due to technical problems, too few teams or circumstances beyond its control. Changes are announced on the tournament page and in the news.
2. 9.2 The rules may be refined. A tournament follows the version published when its registration closed.

10.Penalties

An indicative scale within one tournament. The referee may soften or tighten a penalty depending on the circumstances. Breaking the server rules is also penalized under them.