League Rules

Clans must have a minimum of 5 players in order to sign up to TNL.

There will be three (3) divisions of The Next League, named TNL-A, TNL-B and TNL-C.

There is a maximum of nine (9) clans in the A and B divisions. TNL-C has no limit.

The winner of the division will be decided by the clan that has the most points at the end of the season.

There will be a promotion/relegation system in place for clans to move between the divisions.

The season will consist of two halves. In the first half clans will play each other once. In the second clans will play each other again, but clans that were home in the first half, will play away in the second.

If a position is tied with the same number of points, the clan who has the better cap difference gets the higher position. If there is still a tie, the clan who scored the most caps gets it. If it's still the same, whoever scored better in their matches against each other gets the position. If the position is still tied, then a sudden death match between them is played.

Clans and players can not play in two different divisions at the same time.

TNL-A & TNL-B

Three (3) points are given for a victory in a match, one (1) for a draw, and zero (0) for a loss.

If a clan leaves/dies/is removed from the league in the first half of the season, then any matches that they have played are null and void.

If a clan leaves/dies/is removed from the league in the second half of the season, then the first half season results stand, and any matches that have been played after that are null and void.

All clans below this clan will be moved up a position in order to fill the gap.

TNL-C

In order for a clan to be promoted from TNL-C they must have played at least ten (10) games.

This division can have an unlimited number of clans.

Clans can join at any stage of the season.

It is not allowed to sign up your clan again with a different name to acquire a reset score of 1000.

New clans made during the league consisting of players who played under a different clan already, will be evaluated individually before being accepted into the league.

If a clan dies from TNL-C, any matches that they have played are still counted.

Clan can only play twice against the same clan each half of the season.

Server Settings

• Each round will be 10 minutes long.
• All guns are enabled.
• Game mode is set to CTF.
• Wave (team) respawn is 4.
• Maximum grenades 3.
• No power-ups/bonuses except health and normal grenades.
• No friendly fire.
• Bullet time is off.
• Sniper line is disabled.
• Stationary guns are disabled.
• Maximum flag capture limit is 10.
• BattlEye is enabled.
• Server scripting disabled.
• Minimap is disabled.
• HealthCooldown is 0.

Match Rules

A match is best of 3 rounds.

Games will be 3v3 to 6v6. TNL encourages you to use the most number of players available at any one time.

The winner of a round will be determined by who has more flag caps at the end of the round.

Default map is ctf_Laos.

The first map is chosen by the Home clan, and it is played in Home clan's server. Away clan chooses the side they want to play in that map. The second map is chosen by the Away clan, and it is played in Away clan's server. Home clan chooses the side they want to play in that map.

Third map will be required if neither team wins the first two maps. Default map will be played in this round, in Home clan's server, and Home clan being Alpha team.

Maps can not be played more than once. (including default)

Only the default ctf maps that come with Soldat can be played.

Before the round starts, representatives from both teams must make sure that the opposition are ready to play. Then the round can begin.

In between rounds, there can be up to a 5 minute break in order to organise, tactics, etc. During this period of time, players are to remain in their base.

The winner of the match is decided by who has won the most number of rounds, as in a best of 3 rounds match.

If an equal number of rounds has been won by each side at the end of the match, then the result is a tie.

If a side forfeits the match, then the other clan automatically wins any remaining rounds 5-0.

If there are any disputes during a match, please contact one of the OPs in #TheNextLeague on Quakenet immediately.

Do not continue the match until any disputes have been resolved.

Match examples

Clan A (North American) is at home, and playing Clan B (European).

Clan A chooses their map and server they want to play, and Clan B chooses the side for that map.

Clan B chooses their map and server they want to play, and Clan A chooses the side for that map.

Clan A chooses Steel. Clan B chooses to be alpha. It is played in Clan A's server.

Clan A wins 9-0.

Clan B chooses Run. Clan A chooses to be alpha. It is played in Clan B's server.

Clan B wins 6-2.

Third round is needed.

Default map is played in Clan A's server and Clan A as alpha.

The score is 4-4.

The match is a DRAW. Each clan gets one point for their efforts.

Clan A (European) is at home, and playing Clan B (European).

A fast neutral server is found.

Clan A chooses their map, and Clan B chooses the side for that map.

Clan B chooses their map, and Clan A chooses the side for that map.

Clan A chooses Kampf. Clan B chooses to be alpha.

Clan B wins 2-0.

Clan B chooses Voland. Clan A chooses to be alpha.

Clan B wins 6-2.

Clan B WINS. Clan B gets three points and Clan A gets 0 points.

Server Selection

A clan is considered from a certain continent if the majority of players playing for that clan in a round is from that continent. For example, if a clan is playing with one European player and two North American players, they will be considered North American clan for that round. If the number of players from each continent is the same, the clan will choose between one.

Clans have the right to resquest Selfkill and Clanplanet servers, as european server, and Enesce, U13 and Fracs, as North American servers.

For same continental matches, the server with the least lag for each player is recommended to be chosen, preferably a neutral server.

In the case of intercontinental matches maps there are some additional server selection rules:

Europe vs North America - The European clan chooses a European server to play when they are choosing server, and the North American clan chooses a North American server to play when they are choosing server.

Europe vs Asia - Matches are to take place entirely on North American servers.

Europe vs South America - Matches are to take place entirely on North American servers.

Europe vs Australia - Matches are to take place entirely on North American servers.

Asia vs North America - The Asian clan chooses an Asian server to play when they are choosing server, and the North American clan chooses a North American server to play when they are choosing server.

Asia vs South America - Matches are to take place entirely on a North American server.

North America vs South America - The North American clan chooses a North American server to play when they are choosing server, and the South American clan chooses a South American server to play when they are choosing server.

North America vs Australia - The North American clan chooses a North American server to play when they are choosing server, and the Australian clan chooses an Australian server to play when they are choosing server.

Australia vs Asia - Matches are to take place entirely on a North American server.

NOTE: Teams can play on other servers as well, as long as both teams agree to these conditions.

Scheduling Information

TNL-A & TNL-B

Matches are to be scheduled for the clans. This will involve a selection of matches to be played within a set time period. Most likely to happen is that a clan may be given 2 different clans, which they have to arrange and complete a match with inside one week.

Clans will have to play each other twice, which will come about as a result of the scheduling of matches. They will have a home and away game.

There are two halves to the season. The first half is done once every clan has played each other once. It will be at this stage where there is an extra week to allow clans to catch up on their schedule. Clans which haven't been active enough will be removed from the league at this point.

On each Tuesday, clans will be notified of their opponents that they are due to play for the following week. The deadline for each week is Monday 23:59 CET.

TNL-C

There is no schedule for TNL-C. Clans will have until the end of the season to accumulate as many points as possible. It is up to the clans to find and play their matches.

Clan can only play twice against the same clan each half of the season.

Promotion and Relegation

See this graphic for more information about promotion and relegation system

Clarification of Home/Away Matches

As each clans play each other twice, they will have a home and an away match against the opponent's clan.

The purpose of this home/away match will mean that both teams will have the chance to be on the alpha side of the default map.

It helps to think of it as a standard sport season, where matches are played both home and away.

Miscellaneous Rules

If a player leaves the server at any time, without informing the other clan, the match is to be continued unless both clans agree to wait for the player to return or a substitute to arrive. If a player gets kicked due to server related problems, then the match is to be paused until either the player returns, a substitute arrives, or a different, fully functional server is found.

A disconnect is when there are either client or mainly server problems. If this is the case, the match will be paused. If this is no longer possible, then the map is to be restarted from the time the disconnect happened remaining, with the scores carried forward. The time remaining will be rounded up to the nearest minute for the restart.

If there are any disputes with a captured flag and /pause has not been used, then send a demo to one of the TNL staff if the two clans cannot resolve the problem themselves.

Any person or clan abusing the disconnect rule for unfair advantages will be severely punished.

Taking advantage of map bugs is not allowed in this league. For example, using polygon bugs (such as throwing nades through the Laos bridges) or flying over the top of ctf_B2b using minigun/M79/nades. If you see player(s) abusing these map bugs, you should report that person to a TNL admin together with a demo.

Making sceneries invisible, deleting sceneries, or anything of that sort which prevents your opponent from hiding are not allowed.

Making the size of weapons larger, making gosteks larger, or anything of that sort which prevents your opponent from hiding are not allowed. Health bar above the head is not allowed.

Changing the color of grenades, changing the color of bullets, changing the size of bullets, changing textures of maps, or anything of that sort which directly helps you instead of directly hurting your opponent are allowed.

Taking advantage of weapon bugs is also illegal.

The use of hacks, trainers, hex editors and anything else to give yourself an advantage over others is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught using hacks is subject to expulsion from the league.

Screenshots must be taken after every round.

Demos are also compulsory from each player. Failure to take a demo will make it difficult to take action if you have a complaint.

These may be requested by a TNL admin after the match. Failure to disclose these demos will result in severe consequences for the player(s) involved.

Respect all players and most importantly, have good sportsmanship. Any insults, racist remarks, spamming, etc, will not be tolerated. Be sportsmanlike at all times.

Spectators are allowed if both teams agree. Spectators are not allowed to communicate with the players on their team, only with fellow spectators.

When a TNL game is played, the winner has to report the game and the loser confirm it as soon as possible.

Multiclanning Rules

Multiclanning (the process of being in more than one clan at the same time) is forbidden.

Players cannot be in two or more clans which have signed up for the league, or any other arrangement that breaks the spirit of the multiclanning rule.

If a player leaves a clan, they cannot play for that same clan again for the entire season.

A player may only change clan once (twice in TNL-C only) in the course of a season. An exception can be made one time, if the previous clan has died.

A player cannot transfer to a clan in the same division during the course of the season. This does not apply to TNL-C.

Card System

There are two cards, a yellow card and a red card. A yellow card is a warning if one of the rules is broken.

Two yellow cards equal a red card.

If you receive a red card, you are removed from the league.

If there is a complaint about a clan breaking a rule or if a player is being difficult or rude enough to file a complaint, then an admin will evaluate the problem and decide if it is worth giving the clan a card for it.

Multiclanning counts as a yellow card against clans who allow it.

Depending on the severity of the offense, points reductions may also be handed out. Penalties can be given for dissent. The admin's decision is final.

Strikes & Penalty Points Rule

If by the end of the week, a scheduled match has not been played, then both clans will be given a strike. These strikes are permanent.

Once a clan has accumulated three strikes, one penalty point will be given.

For each subsequent unplayed match, another penalty point is added on.

At the end of each week, the number of penalty points they have accumulated is deducted from their overall point tally.

To clarify, a clan may have two unplayed matches throughout the course of the season with no points penalty. But any extra unplayed matches will result in points deductions.

If a match has been scheduled (or cannot be scheduled) and one side does not turn up, then the blameless clan can claim to have their strike removed. Proof of this is required to be shown to a TNL admin.

If a clan goes below zero (0) points, then they will be removed from the league.

Map pool

• ctf_Ash
• ctf_B2b
• ctf_Cobra
• ctf_Death2
• ctf_Division
• ctf_Dropdown2
• ctf_Equinox
• ctf_Kampf
• ctf_Laos
• ctf_Lanubya
• ctf_Maya
• ctf_Maya2
• ctf_Nuubia
• ctf_Ruins
• ctf_Run
• ctf_Snakebite
• ctf_Steel
• ctf_Viet
• ctf_Voland