FAQ/Rules

Frequently Asked Questions

1. You talk about contenders, champions, #1 contenders etc. What do they all mean?
The champion is kind of self-explanatory – he is the best. He won the last championship matchup and will take on contenders as they emerge.
The #1 contender is a very desirable position. Because as soon as you are named the #1 contender, you are next in line to face the champion in a title match.
The contender is a player who by reputition is a possible future champion, a player who is in the title-mix – and merely a couple of impressive wins away from #1 contender status. The contenders are also there as in indication as to whom you non-contenders must beat consistenly in order to be upgraded to contender status or even be granted a shot at the title (instantly).

2. How do I become a contender and the #1 contender?
You will be upgraded to contender status by performing consistently at a high level. Simply put, if you have proven that you play on the same level as other contenders you will immediately be upgraded to contender status and be one step closer to the title.
To reach the position of #1 contendership and consequently earn a title shot vs. the reigning champion, you’ll need to put together a couple of impressive wins during a short period of time. For example, if you beat a couple of other contenders convincingly during a weekend, you may very well be promoted to the #1 contender as a result. The key to getting a title shot simply comes down to impressing the community. If the fans scream for a certain matchup and it is warranted by recent results, the matchmakers won’t deny the fans that particular match-up.

3. Can I earn a title shot even though I am not listed as a Contender?
Yes!!! The contender list are by no means a closed list of possible contenders. The list is simple there to give people a good indication as to whom they need to beat in order to advance and get closer to the title shot. Should you not be listed as a contender and yet embark on an impressive run during which you beat a couple of contenders in an impressive fashion, there’s nothing stoping you from getting an immediate title shot.

4. Who decides who will get a title shot and how often will title bouts take place?
Ultimately, the rornews.net matchmaker takes the decision. But this decision has nothing to do with his opinion of the players in question. Rather, it is the combination of performing impressively and the community as a whole – if people wanna see player1 vs player2 duke it out – we’ll make it happen.
Our plan is to have a title match once a week or every second week. Since we have different belts for different setts it could vary though. The basic rule that apply is that whenever a #1 contender arise, we’ll try to setup a title bout as soon as possible. Some belts will be up for grabs more often than others, because in the end, if people aren’t competing in a certain setting, no #1 contenders will arise. Whereas, some setts are played more frequently which leads to a steadier stream of #1 contenders.
Right now, as many belts still have no owner, we will probably focus on having a champion designated to each setting before moving on to title defenses in specific classses. Just to get things started!

5. Where can I make a claim for contender/#1 contender status and follow the progress of what’s going on in the world of RoRNews.net World Championships?
Just make a post at the forum or have people promote you as you progress. The chance of us matchmakers not knowing about your progress is however rather unlikely. We have eyes everywhere.
The blog will continuously be updated with news and other championship related gossip as things move on. Make sure to visit it daily! The news page of the championship page will also be fed with various news and announcements.

Guys, I beg of thee. Please, Please, no damn emo/bitch/cry/whine/cheating/bs attitude. Things will get a little more serious, and people will get pissed. However, if we start fighting the entire thing will collapse from beneath. Accept the rules, accept the decision of the referees and play fair. If we start taking this too serious, it will die immediately. Accept a loss, move on, get better and come back stronger – it’s not the end of the world.

2. Referee

Each game will have a referee to help make decision as things go wrong.

The players have two options in regards to choosing a referee:

1. They agree on a certain player who both feel will be a good ref.
2. They accept a rornews.net appointed referee.

If they cannot agree on a certain player, a rornews.net referee will be appointed by default and NEITHER player has the right to complain about rornews.net’s choice. If there is any sign of argument in the process of choosing referee, rornews.net moderators will immediately step in and appoint a referee. If this is the case both players are subsequently bound to abide with this decision.

2.1 Referee Decision Power

It is simple, the referee’s decision is ALWAYS final.

2.2. Referee Duties

• Rule violations/Unfair play: Should any player engage in any sort of activity that is deemed illegal to the certain settings or in general, the referee is instructed to step in and warn the player in question to stop and correct his mistake. Should the player not comply and blatantly ignore the referee’s admonishment, the referee is instructed to disqualify the player in question. A disqualifiaction means that the game in question (but not the entire championship series) will be counted as a loss to the cheating player. However, should the same player violate the rules a second time during the same championship series, and once again blatantly ignore the request of the referee, he will by default be disqualified from the entire championship.In some cases, the course of the game changes as a result of the violation. Clearly it is hard to draw the line. But, if the referee deems this to be case, the violating player will be disqualified and the violated player gets the win.But, what if the rule violation wasn’t intentional at all, but completely changed the course of the game.See: 5. A note on Rule Violations
• Dropping dispute: The referee has the final say in any dropping dispute. See more information below.

2.3 Referee requirements

The player must be at least xp+ and he should know the settings in question inside and out.

3. Championship setup

3.1 General

Each championship bout will be best out of 5 matches.

The standard rules for each setting apply. We all know them by now. So don’t act stupid – you will be disqualified.

And please, I implore you, no ghey ass behaviour: TC-Rush, Painting, Shadow walling etc.

Exceptions to standard rules can be in effect in accordance with 7. Rule Change Agreements.

3.2 The GB rule

Given the caprcious nature of RoR maps we’ve decided to give each player ONE (1) opportunity to GB during each series.

Kind of like the challange system in Tennis.

It works as follows. If a player senses that he got majorly screwed by the map, he can
invoke the GB rule whereupon the game will end and restarted without being counted in the championship series.

The is, however, one constraint to this rule, the GB rule can only be invoked before:

• 3:00 mins has passed in DM Games
• 3:00 mins has passed in RM Games

To invoke the GB rule the player must say GB in the chat or pause the game, and this has to be done BEFORE the abovementioned time limits.

As mentioned, each player has only ONE chance to do this during each championship bout.

3.2.1 The GB rule is binding

Once the words “GB” have been uttered, there is no turning back. Like, oh shit just 5 sec after the player said GB
he finds 10 sf wood. Too bad, monkey boy. It is 100% binding. And the game terminates the second the magic words have been uttered.

3.3 Scheduling

Once a match-up has been announced the players must agree on a certain date and time.

If they can’t agree on a a date & time it will by default be on Saturdays 9 PM CET within3 weeks after the both was signed. If the champion fails to agree on a time and date he will lose his belt.

4. Dropping

This issue is accompanied by exterme conflict potentional. Therefore, we’ve made the rules quite simple.

The players have 2 options:

1. The dropping players always loses. No exceptions, no whining. If you drop, you lose.
2. Both players agree that the referee, in accordance with the description below, will decide what happens when someone drops.

If the players disagree in the choice, the first option will be chosen by default. This means that the only way for the referee to be awarded the final say is if BOTH players want it to be that way. Quite simple, either the dropper always loses, or both players agree to leave it in the hands of the referee.

4.1 Dropping guidelines for the Referee

• The player who didn’t drop are always to be favoured by default. This means, that if the player that didn’t drop had the slightest advantage one could imagine he should be awarded the win.
• The player who dropped can never be awarded the win. If he was clearly winning and dropped, he will at best get a restart.
• Unless… the players against all odds can agree, and choose to award the win to a specific player, then the referee will always accept their decision. There will be no room for discussions though. This type of decision has to be made fast or the referee will step in.
• A couple of examples:
  • A player drops after 3 mins in a leg war, the game is still 100% undecided, but the non-dropping player were closer to the 3rd mine. Decision: Non-dropping player wins automatically because he had a slight advantage.
  • A player drops early in a kor 2.0 game, the non-dropper had slightly less food but equal wood. Decision: Non-dropping player wins automatically because he had a slight advantage.
  • A players drops in a hitt war he is clearly winning. Decision: Replay, because the dropping player can never be awarded the win, regardless how dominant he is at the time of the drop.

4.2 Dropping with an unused GB rule

If a player drops prior to:

• 1:30 mins has passed in DM Games
• 2:30 mins has passed in RM Games

The gb rule will be applied automatically.

5. A note on Rule Violations

They do happen unintentionally from time to time. Please don’t freak out. The referee’s will do their best to fix the situation. However, in some situations, an unintentional violation will infact change the dynamics and course of the game. In those situations, the referee has the ability suggest a rematch/restart. If he chooses to do so, it is up to the player who got violated to accept the offer or reject it and continue the game. Should he opt to continue the game he CANNOT bring it up later and cry cheat. His decision is final and cannot be revisited.

Please note that some violations are just very complicated in terms of how they affect the game and how to continue after they occured. For example a “paint or not paint in kor 1.5″-situation – if it is a paint, and the player built 5 ranges already, deleting them is simply not an option. In these situation the referee will decide if a restart will be necessary or not.

Also note that this covers unintentional violations.

If the referee deems a violation game-changing AND intentional, the violating player will always be disqualifed.

6. Watchers

I am sorry all fans – these rules won’t please you.

Apart from the referee and rornews.net representative (screenshots, recordings etc.) the only way someone gets to watch is if BOTH players agree on him watching.

No exceptions. So, the one who doesn’t want the watcher(s) always have final say.

7. Rule Change Agreements

Should the players wish to adjust the standard rules a bit in order to promote fairness this can be done. However, both players must agree to the changes without any dispute. Furthemore, these rule changes must be clearly stated to the referee and rornews.net moderator prior to the event begins.

For example:

In DM games which has a 5th gold mine, the competitiors can agree that this gold mine won’t be allowed to use.