Update incoming.
[Edit]
Front posts updated.
Rules... eh. I guess I'll post those in a few minutes.
The following rule changes go into effect one week from now on Monday, December 5th.
2. Scheduling
D. Top Four Exception
The top four teams on the ladder are partially exempt from the challenger/defender rules in the following way: these four teams are allowed to re-challenge (and are eligible to be challenged by) the last team they fought if three days pass without either team engaging in another challenge or defending against a challenge. In this way, the top four teams may continuously fight each other so long as no other teams challenge them.
6. Future Rule Changes & Ladder Administrator Responsibilities
In the event that the rules contained herein are found to be inadequate ...
Ladder administrators are required to follow a standardized procedure when handling disputes. All disputes are resolved with escalating penalties for those involved. There are three stages of escalation, with the first carrying no consequences and the third carrying the most severe. The second level carries moderate penalties. Most offenses will result in a single level of escalation against the offending team or player, whereas multiple infractions or specific single infractions may result in greater penalization. These shall be detailed.
Player & Team Disputes
Sportsmanship violations (per player)
Individual players that poorly represent their team and violate the rules regarding sportsmanship will be warned for a single instance of poor sportsmanship. A repeated offense by the same player in the same match will result in that player being benched for the remainder of the map (if a substitute is available) or in the team being issued a warning (if no substitute is available). In the event that a poor sportsman is involved in a third violation (and there is a substitute available) then that player is benched for the remainder of the match and their team is issued a warning, however if the team has already been issued a warning because of this player (because no substitute is available) then they are issued a second warning and risk forfeiture of the map with the score at the time of the infraction being counted as final for the map and victory being afforded to the other team.
Sportsmanship violations (per team)
In the event that multiple members of a team violate the rules of sportsmanship, the team as a whole will be warned. Repeat offenses by multiple team members (not necessarily the same members) will result in further warnings being issued. A second warning carries the penalty of map forfeiture with score at time of violation being counted as final. A third warning against the team as a whole will result in match forfeiture and jeopardized ladder standing per judgment of the ladder admins.
Glitch Exploitation
Use of a glitch (with or without knowledge of its nature) is punishable on a first offense by benching the violating player (if a substitute is available) or with a warning against the team as a whole (if no substitute is available). A second offense by the same player in the same map will result in map forfeiture for the offending team (if no substitute is available) or benching of the offending player for the remainder of the match (if a substitute is available). Glitch exploitation by multiple members of a team will result in forfeiture of the map with the score at time of violation being counted as final for that map.
Hacking
Instant, permanent removal from all ladder play and map forfeiture for the offending team. If a substitute cannot be found, the match is scored according to the current score with the offending team as the loser.
Illegal Substitutions
This encompasses use of players during a match that are not on a team's roster or are not yet eligible to play for that team. A first offense will result in removal of the individual from play and a warning against the team. Second offenses will result in map forfeiture, with third offenses resulting in match forfeiture. Illegal substitutions spotted after a match has been played will result in a replay of the map if both teams are not involved in a challenge and the match is not disputed in any other way. If the match is otherwise disputed or if either team is occupied with a challenge, then the map is considered forfeit for the opposing team and match victory will be reconsidered.
Match Disputes
No-Shows
If a team fails to field 6 players at their agreed upon time, they are issued a warning. A second offense results in first map forfeiture (map/faction selection also cycles, so a second offense by a defending team forfeits their first map/spawn selection, allowing the challenging team to pick map/spawn in the first played map). A third offense results in match forfeiture, with a victory being afforded to the opposing team.
Server Settings & Selections
If a match is played on a server for which one team is responsible and the server settings do not follow NASTe regulations, a dispute may be filed by the opposing team captain for which the penalty of a first offense is a warning and replay of all maps played under illegal settings, or map forfeiture if a replay is inconvenient for both teams. Second offenses will result in match forfeiture. If a match is played on a server for which both teams are responsible then both teams will be issued a warning and must replay all maps played under illegal settings. Second offenses will result in challenge cancellation. If a match is played on a server for which a third party is responsible, neither team will be penalized but the match must be replayed. It is the responsibility of both teams to ensure that server settings are within NASTe regulations.
Furthermore, if a team violates the map/spawn/faction selection order they shall be issued a warning and the map shall be replayed or forfeited in favor of the opposing team. Second offenses will result in map forfeiture.
Warnings against an entire team will carry over to the next immediate challenge for that team, after which they will be nullified. Consequences still escalate as they normally do. This is to say that a team may receive 2 warnings in one challenge, complete the challenge, and then be issued a warning in their next challenge. This gives a total of 3 warnings, which results in forfeiture of the match for the offending team. After completion of their second challenge, all old warnings are removed.
A list of known glitch spots will be provided (eventually), but for now the idea to follow is "when in doubt, rule it out." The only current exception to this rule is on Village, where the linens over the cushioned area are allowed. Do not use the Nord Town carts for now (either of them).
Ugh, it feels like I just re-wrote the entire rules.
Ladder admins and incorrigible Brits should take any opportunity to send me complaints & revisions of these rules as they see fit. They are also open to discussion, of course, but keep in mind all suggestions will be run by ladder admins before they are finalized. Such is the way this works.