1. Cup Rules

2. Match Media

All match media (screenshots, demos, etc) must be kept for at least 14 days. In general, you should upload the match media from a match to the match page as soon as possible. Faking or manipulating match media is of course forbidden and will result in severe penalties. Match media should be named clearly based on what it is. It is not possible to file a protest or write a support ticket to complain about bad match media naming. However, if an admin is hindered in their work because of bad match media names then it can be punished for.

2.1. Screenshots

2.1.1. Score Screenshot

A screenshot of the scoreboard at the end of the match isn't necessary but it is recommended that you take 1 in case of a protest.

2.1.2. Playerlist Screenshot

A pb_power/pb_plist screenshot must be taken:

• at the beginning of the match
• in case of a server/player change
• if a player reconnects

It is the responsibility of both sides to ensure all screenshots are uploaded to the match page within 24 hours of the match ending. Failure will result in penalty points.

2.2. Demos

It is mandatory for all players to record demos for the full duration of all matches without exception. Players should record one demo per half of a map.

Incomplete, defective or manipulated demos will be treated as missing demos.

2.2.1. Requesting Demos

Requesting a demo is done through the 'Request match media' function at the bottom of your match and can be done up to 30 minutes after the match. A valid reason must be given when you request a demo (cheating, buging,...). If the player concerned fails to upload them within 24 hours, the player will get 3 penalty points, the team 2 per missing demo. It's entirely up to the admin to decide if the match is deleted or not.

To avoid demo request abuse, each team can only demand two (2) demo's per match.

The team or player that requested the demo can file a protest within 48 hours after the match. This protest has to start with a timetable. In case of missing demos an admin will extend the period of time to make the timetable.

The requested demos must be uploaded to the ESL page within 24 hours (packed in separate *.zip files). If you use a program other than Winzip to zip your files, make sure that you choose "Compression method – normal". If you do not then you will get an error message like "file corrupted" and the upload will be aborted.

3. Settings

3.1. Player setttings

All third party programs are not allowed. Programs such as Rivatuner, Nhancer, Hotkey, etc are illegal. Changing the graphic options or textures with the help of graphic card drivers or similar tools or programs is illegal. Any other scripts are also illegal, especially if they result in a gameplay advantage. Anyone found to be using such third party programs will be severly disciplined.

3.1.1. Wire Anti-Cheat

ESL Wire Anti-Cheat is mandatory in ladders, leagues and cups. If it's not used by a player, a protest must be filled within 72 hours from match start. Users are not allowed to refuse Wire Anti-Cheat in match comments, even if they are experiencing technical issues with it. If the website is offline, ESL Wire Anti-Cheat will not work. This means the match has to be postponed. It is the responsibility of the player to ensure that Wire Anti-Cheat works for him.

3.1.2. Netspeed

It´s forbidden to play with a netspeed under 8500. Therefore setting netspeed below 8500 will be regarded as illegal and will be punished!!

- The Match will be forfeited if you use a netspeed below 8500

- Penalty for using a netspeed below 8500 will be 6 points.

3.2. Server settings

Using the tournament mode for ESL matches is a must and the following settings have to be used. Both teams are responsible to make sure that these settings are used:

• The server has to be password-protected
• ROE Violation Options has to be 'Ignore Violations'
• Min./max. Admin: 4/4
• Require Authorization from Army servers to play has to be activated
• Auto-Teambalance has to be deactivated
• Kick Idle Players has to be deactivated
• Cheats have to be deactivated
• Shadows have to be deactivated
• Punkbuster Screenshots have to be activated
• 1st Person View has to be activated
• Min./max. Honor: 1/100
• Only Force Live Fire Weapons allowed

Special Tournament Settings:

• Pause Length 180
• Changing rounds after (X) rounds
• Delay after changing sides 60 seconds
• Mission Planning Time 5 minutes
• Captain Request Delay 30 seconds
• Time delay between rounds 10 seconds
• Tie-Breaking-Rules has to be 'Allow Ties'
• Allow Team Captain has to be activated
• (only for cups) Use Endex Rule has to be activated
• Random Side Starts and Open All Weapon Slots have to be deactivated

3.2.1. Punkbuster

Every server must be running the latest version of Punkbuster.

3.2.2. ESL server CVARS

You must be running CVARS on your server. Here are the official ESL CVARS.

• Upload the pbsvuser.cfg to your aa/system/pb folder.
• Restart your server.

3.2.3. Server Authorization problem

If the 'Main Authorization Server' does not work or if several players of both teams do not get authorized, the team leaders can agree on either deactivating the authorization function or playing the match at a later time. If only one player is affected by the problem, the team either has to play with one player less or to play with a substitute.

3.2.4. Maps

This is the official Maplist for ESL, only these map times are allowed.

• Insurgent Camp 4mins
• MOUT McKenna 3mins
• Collapsed Tunnel 3mins
• Dusk 4mins
• SF Sandstorm 3mins
• Urban Assault 3mins
• Weapons Cache SE 5mins
• Pipeline 4mins
• ESLDusk 3mins
• ESLWeapons Cache 4mins
• ESLBorder 4mins
• Bridge 5mins
• SF CSAR 4mins
• SF Pipeline 4mins
• SF Village 5mins
• bg_Canyon 4mins
• SF Hospital 4mins
• Woodland 4mins

You can download the ESL Maps here

3.2.5. Special Map Regulations

The original maps have to be used. Maps changed with the help of the editor are not allowed.

• Mout McKenna

Team 'Honor' is the defending team on this map. This is however only relevant for choosing the sides. In order to win the round the teams have to secure 2 out of 3 objectives or eliminate the opposing team. If the teams fail to do so within the round time, the round will be rated as a draw.

• SF_SandStorm

Team 'East' is the defending team on this map. This is however only relevant for choosing the sides. In order to win the round the teams have to secure 2 out of 3 objectives or eliminate the opposing team. If the teams fail to do so within the round time, the round will be rated as a draw.

• Urban_Assault

Team 'East' is the defending team on this map. This is however only relevant for choosing the sides. In order to win a round the teams have to secure both objectives or eliminate the opposing team. If the teams fail to do so within the round time, the round will be rated as a draw even if 1 of the teams has secured 1 objective and the other team not.

• SF_CSAR

Killing the pilot results in losing the round.

• SF_Hospital

Team "Ambush" is the defending team. The ambush team wins the round if the VIP dies.

4. Match Rules

4.1. Game Preparation

Please resolve any problems that might occur before the match starts. Agreements between the teams/players have to be posted as match comments.

4.1.1. Choice of server

The internet is changing continuously and the connection to a server is not always perfect. The teams / players have to agree on a server that offers both sides an equal ping. Nevertheless every player should know, that he sometimes has to play with a bigger ping difference. In this case we have to appeal to the fairness of the teams/players, the right to change server.

Show some Sportsmanship and use a DE, NL or UK server. If no DE, NL or UK server is available, use the following rules:

Ping: the average ping (real ping of the whole team, players with highest ping from both teams don’t count, F1 ping multiplied with 4, divided by 3) of Team A cannot be higher than 20 ms to the average ping of Team B. If the average ping is higher than 20 ms, you have to change the server.

Packet loss: If more than one player of a team experiences a packet loss higher than 10, you have to change the server. Stat Net screenshots recommended here.

If no server with these criteria is available: One half of the map will be played on Team A's server the other half on Team B's server.

4.1.2. ESL Servers

The ESL currently does not provide Matchservers. If a team wants to play in the league, the team must provide a server.

4.1.3. Videocasts

For a match to be videocasted, there must be permission from ESL before it can go ahead. Contact the ESL Staff via Support Ticket with the Match Details, atleast 3 days before the match is set to begin.

4.1.4. Setup Round

During the warm up the teams/players have to check whether the server settings are correct, whether the map has been loaded properly and whether the server uses the right maps. Also check that the server is running the correct ESL CVARS.

4.1.5. Agreements

In case of agreements you always have to fulfil the requirements as mentioned under point 8 and they have to be confirmed in the match comms before the start of the match.

4.2. Ingame

4.2.1. Choice of team

The Challenger (ladder) or Higher Seeded Team is the home team and gets to make side choice for the first half of the match.

4.2.2. Number of players

Minimum number of players:

• 2on2: 1on2 is forbidden, only 2on2 is allowed
• 3on3: Only 3on3 is allowed
• 4on4: 4on4, 3on4 is allowed. If one player in a 4on4 team is missing, the team can nevertheless play the match. The opposing team can decide freely whether they want to play with all players or also with one player less.
• 6on6: 5on6 is allowed. If one player is missing they can nevertheless play the match.

4.2.3. Player drops

Should a player drop during a game, the game is paused. This is either done at the end or the beginning of the round concerned if the player did not manage to reconnect. The waiting time for a dropped player is 5 minutes. If there are not enough players on the server after the waiting time, you either have to file a protest or to continue according to Game intermissions. Discarding a round for a dropped player is mandatory in the first 30 sec of a round without any recorded kills. After those 30 first seconds it's up to the teams sportmanship to discard a round.

Exception for 4on4 ladders: The waiting time for one dropped player is 5 minutes. Should more players drop the waiting time is 10 minutes. If the complete team requests it, the match can be finished 3on4 after the waiting time.

4.2.4. Abortion of a match

If a team/player wins the majority of rounds on a map (e.g. 7 rounds for MR 6), the match can be aborted and the result must be entered (e.g. 9-3). There is no need to play all rounds.

4.3. Illegal Actions

Any actions that result in an unfair advantage are illegal. This includes bug using of any kind and the following actions.

4.3.1. General buglist

• Using bugs which change the game principle is illegal.
• Intentionally smoking through walls is forbidden, intentionally placing a smoke directly next to a wall to cause the smoke effect to 'glitch' through, for example:

-smoking the main pump room by placing a smoke in the shower/toilet on Pipeline

• Possibility to leave the normal boundaries of a map, for example:

- going below/under a map or specific parts of a map
- accessing special areas or rooftops on a map (for examples see screenshots below)
1 , 2

• Any actions while taking objectives on a map, for example:

- firering a weapon or being able to look around while taking an objective
- jumping back while taking an objective (see screenshot of Pipeline's Primary Valve below) - quickly going from a standing to a crouching position when you are on the side of Pipeline's main cp to 'hide' on the side of it
- note: holding a nade or flash etc, while taking an objective is not considered as such action and is allowed
1

• 'Spamming' the server with shout-messages also known as 'Commo Messages', for example:

-The use of Commo Messages (like shouting for a medic, 'frag out' when nading, or any other) with the intention to 'spam' the server is not allowed
-Using Commo Messages with the intention to overshadow other ingame sounds (for example: shouting 'frag out' or 'move out' so that the opposing team is not able to hear someone taking an objective or similar)

• if you find some other Bugs please report them to the admin team by a support ticket.

Missing bugs which give a team a strong advantage and are not listed here can also punished.

4.3.2. Mapbugs

Pipeline

• Getting acces to the roof by climbing on the vent hatch is forbidden.
• Firing a 203 through the wall of the CP into the main courtyard is forbidden.

Urban Assault

• Standing on Charlie Ruins (below Charlie West on the side to West spawn) to get a 'glitched' view on Bravo area is forbidden.
• Laying down in the corner at alpha central to watch behind West Objective building is forbidden since the player behind West can not see you.

4.3.3. Suiciding

It's forbidden to suicide during Mission Planning round or to suicide intentionally in a live round.

4.3.4. HW Advantages

Any kind of unfair hardware advantages are forbidden. (Example: 3xFire button,...)

5. Penalty points

In general, a player can receive up to 6 penalty points, and a team up to 4 penalty points per match, unless a single violation has a higher punishment. A team is only punished once per violation, regardless of how many players. Where a player or team receives penalty points for multiple violations, the penalty points are added together.