Established 2014
Ruleset
The CDL Ruleset will be used.
Map vetoes will be used to determine the maps played in a series.
Since the 2019 season, PC players have been allowed to compete alongside Playstation and Xbox players. All PC players must use a controller when competing, and all PC players must be prepared to stream both themselves and their setup at the league's discretion if there are accusations of hacking.
Additionally, any player participating in the league must be prepared to prove their innocence if the league requires them to, regardless if they are on PC or not.
It is the responsibility of the teams to know and understand CDL rules, even if they are not listed here.
The in-game CDL Modes should be used to create matches.
GAs will be enforced. We will constantly update them as they become official.
If a team fails to show up within 15 minutes after the scheduled time, map 1 will be forfeited. If the team still does not show up within 5 minutes after the first map was forfeited, then the series will be forfeited.
As always, playing through the entirety of a match/round essentially makes the result final.
Playing in any of our leagues or events implies that you've fully read and understood these rules beforehand.
The league may use its discretion on any matters in order to settle disputes or anything else it deems as fair.
Regular Season and Playoffs
*This is subject to change depending on the amount of teams.*
Winter 2022 Season
There will be 5 divisions with 6 teams in each. Teams will play once in week 1, and then twice a week in weeks 2 and 3. Make every match count. The top 3 teams from each division will advance to the playoffs, teams 4-5 from each division will qualify for a play-in tourney to compete for the final two playoff spots, and the team that finishes last in their pool will be eliminated from playoff contention.
The playoff format will be double elimination, with the Losers Bracket champion having to defeat the Winners Bracket champion twice in two best-of-5 series.
Seeding
*This is subject to change depending on the amount of teams.*
The top 3 teams from each pool advance to the playoffs. Seeds 1-5 will be the top team in each pool, separated by record, and a series of other tiebreakers. Seeds 6-15 will be determined by the remaining teams (by record) in each pool, separated by a series of tiebreakers as well. Seeds 16-17 will be the finalists of the play-in tournament.
Three-Way Tie
In the event of Teams having the same win/loss record at the conclusion of all Matches, final placing will be determined via Tiebreaker Rules.
Tiebreaker Rules (in order)
● Head to Head Match wins (Matches won vs. tied Teams)
● Head to Head Map wins (Maps won vs. tied Teams)
● Overall Map win percentage (Overall Maps won / overall Maps played)
If there is a tie involving more than two teams and a Tiebreaker(s) leaves only two teams tied, the tie will be broken by the winner of the head-to-head match, if applicable.
If these Tiebreakers cannot break a tie, the tied Teams will be scheduled to play a best-of-one round-robin tiebreaker. Maps for the tiebreaker will be chosen through the veto system or at the league's discretion. Host will be determined by simply flipping who hosted during the initial meeting between teams. After each Team has played all other tied Teams in the Tiebreaker, their records will be used to break the tie.
If there is still a tie that cannot be broken by the aforementioned tiebreakers, an additional best-of-one round-robin Tiebreaker(s) will be played until the tie can be broken.
If there is a tie involving more than two teams and a Tiebreaker resolved the tie for a Team(s), but leaves at least two Teams tied, the tie(s) that remains will be broken by starting over with the Head-to-Head Match win tiebreaker.
Tiebreaker Games will be played before the start of the Playoffs.
Play-in Tournament
Teams that failed to qualify for playoffs through initial seeding will be able to do so if they qualify for the play-in tournament. Two additional playoff spots will open up and be taken by the two finalists of the tournament.
Prize Distribution
All prize money will be sent to the respective players, orgs, etc, per the request of the person responsible for paying the entry fee. In the event that there is a dispute over the prize, the money will be sent to the person responsible for paying the entry fee/spot if a reasonable solution is not found. Please know that the league may use its discretion to decide how much money is distributed to the various parties as it deems is fair. This also goes for refunds.
Scheduling
Every Wednesday, teams will receive the information (team name, who to contact, etc) of the team that they will be playing for the week. You will have until the nearest Tuesday to contact the other team, agree on a set date and time to play, and report scores.
Please understand that both teams need to agree on a date and time to play. As a participating team in our league, we expect you to abide by our rules, and hold yourself accountable. Playing in a different league, tournament, or an event of any kind is not an excuse for not being able to play your match. You are allowed two subs on your roster. It is advised that you find and use subs that can be held accountable. Also, being available for more days than the other team does not mean you will get the forfeit win if you fail to play.
Reporting Scores
Please remember that we do take stats. In order to report scores, you are to take pictures of the scoreboard after the match ends, and then send it to the proper discord channel. The picture must be clear, and you must be able to see all stats.
Rosters
Teams are allowed to change their roster an unlimited amount of times before roster lock. Rosters lock at the end of the season. At this point, you will only be allowed one emergency roster addition. The emergency sub can enter the series at any point to fill in for an absent player. After the match/series has concluded, the captain can either choose to continue with the original roster, or keep the emergency player. If the captain chooses to keep the emergency player, then he must also select one member on his roster to be released. The released player will not be credited with a win if the team wins the event, and will not receive any prize money from the league.
Spot Ownership
Ownership of the league spot belongs to the person who paid for the entry fee. This person is also responsible for for letting the league know if they would like to transfer ownership of the spot to another person.
In the event that there is a dispute over the ownership of the spot, the current spot owner can give away the spot to another team/player at their own discretion.
Please note that the league may use its discretion to decide who owns the spot if absolutely necessary in any dispute or other scenario.
Stats
Stats are kept and recorded by the league. This is done to not only give a professional feel to the league and its players, but to also showcase the talent in the league, as well as highlight improvement over the course of a competitive season. The players with the best stats at the end of the season may be eligible to receive season awards such as Best Slayer and MVP. In order to ensure that stats are as accurate as possible, we ask each player to take a picture of the scoreboard clearly showing every player's name and every stat.
Casted Matches
Since our league allows its teams to schedule its matches at any points within the week, casted matches are not guaranteed. We have casters available to cast at scheduled times. If you'd like to increase the likelihood of having your match casted, then it is advised to inform the league or casters ahead of time.
The league will reach out to teams and try to get certain matches casted if they are big games or are of larger importance, such as games with playoff implication towards the end of the regular season, or matches between the top two teams in a division.
If your team is selected to be casted, you will be told at the beginning of the week. You will work with the other team to find the best time(s), as well as communicating with an account manager or the caster(s).
Please understand that issues can occur, and it is possible that your matches are not casted. If this is the case, then we will try to make it up to you in the playoffs. Apologies in advance.
Awards
Players that performed extraordinary throughout the course of the season will receive recognition. This is a list of the awards that are available to be won:
MVP
Presented to the player that was the ultimate difference-maker. The Most Valuable Player award is typically presented to the individual who dominated throughout the season in multiple categories, and helped lead his team to a very high playoff seed. Essentially, he is the best player in the league.
This award usually has 2-4 potential recipients. The MVP is voted for by our followers, a select group of players, and our administration.
Best Slayer
Presented to the player who lead the league in total kills. More often than not, this award will go to the MVP. However, it is possible for a player who did not win MVP to win the Best Slayer award. MVP is about being the best player in multiple categories, while the Best Slayer goes straight to whoever has recorded the most kills.
Best OBJ
Presented to the player who played the objective role the best throughout the course of the regular season. This player does not necessarily have to be considered an “OBJ player” to win this award. Rather, they just have to be among the best in categories such as hill time, bomb plants and other objective stats.
Best Defensive Player
This award is presented to the player who defended the objective with their life. Understanding that making a stop is just as critical as scoring, is the mindset that true defensive-oriented players have. This player is among the league leaders in hill defends, bomb defuses, and flag defends.
*We completely understand the strategic and analytical aspects of the game. A player killing three enemy players and injuring the flag carrier before dying is just as important as the player who killed the injured flag carrier and returned the flag. However, these stats do not show up on the leaderboard. These awards are mostly statistical, and should not discourage anyone. Your play does not go unnoticed.*
Best Newcomer
The Best Newcomer award is presented to a player that performed the best in their first season in the league.
Best Bench Player
The Best Bench Player award is presented to the player that had the biggest impact for their team while being a substitute. To qualify for this award, a player must have played at least two matches while being listed as a substitute, and they cannot have played more than two matches while being listed as a starter.
All-Stars
Eight players can be selected and placed in a player pool. The players will then be split into two randomized groups of four. The two teams will then compete against each other in a series that will be streamed.
Connection Issues
If a host becomes unbearable, and there is consistent lag, then you are to do the following:
Take clear proof of your team lagging unbearably.
Be sure it isn't a small spike.
End the game if you are the host.
Gather all necessary evidence and leave if you are not host and the other team won't end it.
Report to a league admin for a ruling.
Disconnections
Games must be restarted if a Player (including the host) disconnects in the first 30 seconds and before the first kill. Proof must be captured and provided in the event of a dispute.
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If a Player disconnects after the first 30 seconds or after the first kill, the map must be continued.
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The missing player may be reinvited to the game.
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The team with the missing player may not leave the game.
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If a team fully leaves the game due to a player disconnecting they will forfeit the map in question.
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If the Host disconnects after the first 30 seconds or after the first kill, the hosting team will forfeit the map in question.
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This includes the period between the end of the map & loading into the pre-game lobby.
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Hardpoint
If a Player disconnects after the first 30 seconds and/or after the first kill in HP, the map must be continued. The missing player may be reinvited to the game. The team with the missing player may not leave the game at the conclusion of the round that the disconnect occurred. If a team fully leaves the game due to a player disconnecting they will forfeit the map in question.
Also, provide clear evidence of you or your teammates lagging just in case there in a dispute.
S&D
If a Player disconnects after the first 30 seconds and/or after the first kill in S&D, then the round must be played out. Once the round has ended, the host must end the game. The team with the missing player will have 5 minutes to either invite him back, or use a sub. Proof must be captured and provided in the event of a dispute.
Control
If a Player disconnects after the first 30 seconds and/or after the first kill in Control, then the round must be played out. Once the round has ended, the host must end the game. The team with the missing player will have 5 minutes to either invite him back, or use a sub. Proof must be captured and provided in the event of a dispute.
Domination
If a Player disconnects after the first 30 seconds and/or after the first kill in HP or Domination, the map must be continued. The missing player may be reinvited to the game. The team with the missing player may not leave the game at the conclusion of the round that the disconnect occurred. If a team fully leaves the game due to a player disconnecting they will forfeit the map in question.
Also, provide clear evidence of you or your teammates lagging just in case there in a dispute.
CTF
Take a picture of the score and time. If it is before the first minute and there is no score or current flag pull, then the match is to be restarted. If there is a flag being pulled, you must wait until it is either captured or returned to end/leave the game. The game will then be continued at the next attempt at the current score. If possible, set the time as what was remaining in the last match.
If a player disconnects after the first minute or round (S&D only), then the match is not to be ended. Rather, it is up to the host of the match, and the teammates of the disconnected player to invite the player back to the game. Failure to invite the opposing team’s player as host of the game will result in the match being played from where the player disconnected if your team wins. Take proof of sending the invite if needed. The match result will count if the other team wins with one less player. If the player can not join back, it is wise to simply end the game. From there, you are allowed a lenient 10 minute period to get that player or your emergency sub in the game.
Forfeiting
Once both teams have agreed to a time and date, the decision should be final. If one team is unable to have an adequate amount of players attend the time of the match after it was agreed upon, then that is grounds for a forfeit. It is to be assumed that both teams are thinking ahead of time and are putting things aside or clearing their schedule for the set time in order to complete the match.
In the event that you find yourself unable to compete in the match at the designated time, you are allowed to ask for a reschedule. If the other team is able to, then you should reschedule at a different time or date.
If Team A agrees to play at a set time with Team B, and Team A fails to make the time, then they can ask Team B to reschedule. Now, if Team B fails to make the new time, then they would have to ask Team A to reschedule. Rescheduled matches are to be treated as if they were the original date and time that was agreed upon. Finally, if both teams fail to attend a set match, and do not play their match before the end of the nearest Tuesday, then the team that failed to attend the original match will forfeit unless the league declares otherwise.
Competitive Integrity
We understand that everyone wants to win. Almost every competitor has a trick to give them an edge over their opponent. In most cases, there are perfectly legal. However, we will not tolerate cheating of any kind. This includes: faking evidence in disputes, using a modified controller, watching an opponent's stream while you're playing them, and many more things that should be obvious. If you're unsure about something, ask. We want everyone to have a fun, and fair experience.
Professionalism
As a part of a staff that has hosted events for nearly a decade, we've dealt with our share of players, teams, and organizations. While many of you are polite, and have no intentions of being difficult to work with, there are individuals who are consistently verbally aggressive towards us. We ask that you keep it as professional as possible towards members of our staff. This includes any admins, casters, etc. Threats, use of profanity, and being disrespectful towards us will not be tolerated.
Suspensions and Bans
We have never suspended a player in our league, and only once have we banned a player. However, we do have these policies in place.
What warrants a suspension?
•Consistently harassing account managers and members of the league administration.
•Threatening anyone in our league. This includes administration, players, teams, and organizations.
•Racism of any kind.
•Anything else we see worthy of a suspension.
What warrants being banned?
•Repeating any of the above offenses after being warned and/or suspended.
•Being found guilty of cheating or tampering with matches.
•Anything else we see fit.
Please note that we will warn you and ask you to stop if we feel that you are breaking any rules or being disruptive. Suspensions and bans are usually just results of failing to listen to instructions.
In the event that a player is suspended, we will allow a temporary sub to take his place. This is an additional sub to your roster that will be removed as soon as the suspension is over.
If a player is suspended for a series, and the series is forfeited by your opponent, then the player is still suspended until a series is either completed or forfeited by his team.
You can always attempt to appeal your suspension.