Tournament Guide
CONTENTS
General Information
BATTLEBOOKS Tournament System
· What will you find?
· Where Do I Start?
· Who Do I Ask?
· To Sanction or not to Sanction …
· Rating Players
· Rules of Engagement
Tournaments Formats
Sanctioned Tournaments
· Swiss: Clash of Champions
· Beginners: New Warriors
· Blind: Secret Wars
Non-Sanctioned Tournaments
· Elimination: Last Man Standing
· Multi Player: Battle Royal
General Information
BATTLEBOOKS Tournament
System
The BATTLEBOOKS Tournaments System
was designed for the enjoyment of the players and to ensure that
tournaments sanctioned or not are well organized and fun for all
involved. To run successful tournaments please make yourself familiar
with the system rules and the rules of the game.
If you ever have any questions please
give us a call.
What will you find?
BATTLEBOOKS Official Tournament Guide
is your complete reference for running BATTLEBOOKS tournaments.
It will explain how to run both sanctioned and non-sanctioned
tournaments fairly and successfully. It gives you insight on the
way your tournament and its players can effect other players around
the world in the BATTLEBOOKS WORLD PLAYER RATINGS SYSTEM. Plus
gives you a list of sources to access if questions should arise.
Player Score Cards are required use
in Officially Sanctioned Tournaments and are a vital source of
information to accurately calculate players ratings. These cards
can be used for non-sanctioned tournaments as well, but are not
required.
Where do I start?
You have already completed the first
step in organizing and running a BATTLEBOOKS tournament by obtaining
this book. Next you will need to choose the type of tournament
you are going to hold, register your event with Battlebooks Inc.
and promote it in your area. Finally, have fun and let the battle
begin.
There are several types of tournaments
you can choose from. All are fun and all pose different challenges.
They include one on one events like Clash of the Champions and
Last Hero Standing, plus a multi player Battle Royal. See the
Tournament Formats section of this book for all the tournaments
rules and explanations. Also see the To Sanction or not to Sanction…
section for the benefits and restrictions of running an Officially
Sanctioned Tournament.
Register your event by mailing the
following information to BATTLEBOOKS Tournament Registration,
C/O Battlebooks Inc., 8006 East Ridge, Lakeland, FL 33810.
Your Name
Day and Date of the event
Time the event will start
Location of Event (Complete Address)
Contact Phone Number
Number of prospective players
Tournament Format
You can also e-mail the same information
to cvault@pcisys.net. Whether
you are running an officially sanctioned, sanctioned or non-sanctioned
tournaments register your event. If you register, your tournament
will appear on the Battlebooks Inc. website giving it world exposure.
Promote the event by advertising at
local comic and gaming store in your area by using the flyers
and poster. Be sure to let players know up front about the format
of the tournament, any fees, special rules and prizes that are
offered so that there are no surprises when they get to the tournament.
Make sure both you and your players
are aware of any and all rules of the games and any special rules
that are used in tournaments that they may not be aware of. Have
fun and BATTLE ON.
Who do I ask?
The Battlebooks Tournament Coordinators
are ready to answer any questions you might have about running
tournaments or rules of the game by using the following means;
Email: cvault@pcisys.net
Website: www.pcisys.net/~cvault/
US Postal Service: Tournament Coordinators
C/O Battlebooks Inc.
8006 East Ridge
Lakeland, FL 33810.
To sanction or not to sanction…
You do not need to sanction your tournament
to run a fun and exciting game. Any tournament formats you choose
can be run as a non-sanctioned event. The advantage of running
one of the three sanctioned formats in an officially sanctioned
tournament is that the event has greater support from Battlebooks
Inc. and all scores count towards the players world rankings.
The disadvantage is that the only people that can run an officially
sanctioned tournament are the CRUSADERS. This group of Battlebooks
Inc. representatives was gathered together from all over the world
to provide guidance, leadership and to promote the game. They
are also judges and record keepers for officially sanctioned tournaments.
To contact the CRUSADER in your area to run a tournament, use
the information listed in the 'Who do I Ask?' section of this
guide.
Unofficially sanctioned tournaments
can be run by anyone. CRUSADERS are not required to be present
but can help if they are requested and available. Scores from
these events will count towards player's world rankings. As long
as the tournament follows all the governing rules, is registered
with Battlebooks Inc. at least 2 weeks prior to the event and
all paperwork is completed and turned in within 2 weeks of the
completion of the event, it then becomes eligible to be a sanctioned
event. However, in an unofficial event there is no prize support
given from Battlebooks Inc.
Non-sanctioned tournaments are design
to expand and promote the games versatility. They are easy to
run and don't require any pre-registration or special forms to
fill out. Use as much or as little of the materials given in the
tournament kit. These tournaments do not require a CRUSADER and
do not count towards the player's world rankings. They also are
not given prize support by Battlebooks Inc.
Rating Players
Players that play in sanctioned tournaments
will have the opportunity to be ranked with players around the
world. The BATTLEBOOKS WORLD RANKING SYSTEM is based on a variation
of the Elo ranking system used in chess. The ratings are from
0 to 3000. All new players begin with 1500 points and will add
or lose points based on wins, loses and there opponents ranking.
1500 is considered a novice or new player. Once you reach 2000
points you are considered an intermediate player and when you
reach 2500 points you are considered an expert. The better your
competition the faster you climb in the rankings and the easier
they are the less points you will receive for a win. This system
has been proven over the years to be the most accurate and objective
rating system available.
Players are ranked in two categories. Players participating in
Clash of the Champions or Secret Wars events will be ranked with
all other players playing in these sanctioned tournaments. In
this category no matter what hero a player uses he or she is being
ranked with all other players in the world that have participated
in these two tournament formats. Players that play in the Hero's
Roll Call tournaments will be ranked with other players using
the same Hero. If you have played Captain America in a Hero's
Roll Call tournament you will be ranked with all other players
playing Captain America in the world. You will be able check individual
player rankings and top players rankings on the Battlebooks Inc.
website.
Rules of Engagement
BATTLEBOOKS tournaments are played
by the same rules BATTLEBOOKS players are used to. All books are
available for tournament play at this time. The only enhancement
to the rules is the addition of a token that is passed back and
forth each turn to indicate which player will call their move
first. The player that controls the token calls their move first
and then passes the token to his opponent. This continues through
the entire game to ensure no player has an advantage during play.
In multi player tournaments, the token is passed to the right
and moves are called in clockwise order around the table.
The structures and exact procedures
on how the different tournament formats should be run are explained
in the Tournament Format section of this manual.
Tournament Formats
Sanctioned Tournaments
General Rules
To have a qualifying sanctioned tournament
you must have a minimum of 8 players.
Counter will be used to control player
initiative. Each pairing will receive 1 counter that is provided
by the tournament organizer. A counter is a placeholder like a
coin, chip, token, dice, small figure or anything to mark which
player has the initiative. The token is given to one of the players
in the pairing either by random or something more diplomatic like
a coin toss. Once play begins the player with the token will call
their move first and then pass the token to there opponent. In
multi-player tournaments the player with token will call their
move first and then clockwise around the table players then would
call their moves. The token is then passed to the player to the
right of the player currently with the token.
All Score Cards must be filled out
completely and legibly for the players to be rated. If this is
not done correctly players Score cards or entire tournaments could
be nullified. At the end of the tournament all Score Cards must
be checked and signed by both the player and the tournament organizer.
You may charge an entry fee for your
tournament but remember that these tournaments are for fun and
not for profit. Any entry fee collect should be used for prizes
or the acquisition of a place to play. Make any fees that are
required known up front.
Swiss Format: Clash of the
Champions
Clash of the Champions is modeled after
the traditional Swiss-style tournament format. It was designed
to be the must challenging of the tournament formats. In this
event each player is push to his or hers limits by playing multiple
HEROS, two different BATTLEBOOKS. All players play the same amount
of rounds and games. A Clash of the Champions tournament consists
of a minimum of two game rounds and one final round (this setup
is designed for a tournament with exactly 8 players). Each game
round includes three games that will have been timed to 15 minutes
each. The final round has no time limit but if one is required
one of no less then 15 minutes can be added as long as the players
are notified prior to the beginning of the round. We recommend
that for every 8 players added organizers should add an addition
round. (I.e. 9-16 players 3 rounds, 17-24 players 4 rounds, 25-32
players 5 rounds etc.)
Each player must bring two different
BATTLEBOOKS for play. The tournament organizer will need to bring
blank Score Cards, counter (enough for each pairing, coins will
work fine) along with the current tournament rules and rule changes
for the game.
In preparation to begin the tournament
the organizer will pass out Score Cards to all of the participants.
Have them fill it out the top portion of the card. Again it must
be neat and legible. (Remind the player if they have played in
a tournament before they should use the same name that was used
in the previous tournament. Do not use nicknames or abbreviations.
This is to help speed up the raking updates.). Then the players
should return the Score Cards to the organizer. Once the organizer
has all of the Score Cards in hand the cards are shuffled and
pairings can begin.
For the first pairing the organizer
will place the stack of Score Cards face down on the table and
draw the first two cards off the top of the deck. This is your
first set of players. Note on each of the cards their opponent's
name and place the player across from each at a gaming table.
Continue pulling cards two at a time and by following the procedures
above place the pairs of players at the gaming tables. If there
is an odd number of players the remaining single player will receive
a "buy" for that game.
Once all of the players have been paired
off the games can begin. Have each player choose the first hero
they wish to play from the two BATTLEBOOKS they brought. Then
complete the rest of the Score Card with the players hero name
and the opponents hero name in the Game 1 row. Choose the player
in each pairing that will start with the token. At this time you
can start play of Game 1. Remember that each game will last no
more 30 minutes and should be timed. The game is played and the
outcome is reported to the tournament organizer.
To report the outcome of the game both
players must report to the tournament organizer as soon as the
game is complete. The organizer will then record the results on
the Score Card for each player and collect all of the cards including
the one belonging to the player that received the "buy"
if one was given. (Scoring will be explained in detail at the
end of this section.) Players do not mark scores on there own
Score Cards.
After all player have completed play
and all Score Cards have been turned in you can prepare for the
next game. Place the Score Cards in order from lowest score to
highest score and place the ordered stack face down on the table.
As you did for the first pairings take the top two player from
the stack and pair them together. Continue the pairing until all
cards are paired. The player with the lowest score will receive
the "buy" if one is needed. Players are then instructed
to switch BATTLEBOOKS with the other hero that they brought for
Game 2. Score Cards are filled out with hero and opponent information
and Game 2 is played. After all pairing have completed the game
or time has elapsed scores are recorded and cards are collected
and sorted again as was done at the conclusion of game 1.
In Game 3 players are then allowed
to choose either one of the two heroes played in Game 1 or 2.
Pair the players using the same system in Game 1 and 2. Play the
game and record the results. To conclude Round 1 total the scores
from the three games and record them in the round score total
area of your Score Card. Now continue on to the next round.
Each subsequent round follows the same
procedures as Round 1. Pairing should be made from the previous
rounds total not from the Game 3 totals.
Once all rounds are completed total
all the Round Scores together for each player and order the cards
from highest to lowest total score and this will begin the Final
Battle. This will pit the highest scoring player against the next
highest scoring player and on down the line. The players may choose
the hero they wish to be in the final battle just as if were Game
3 of a Game Round. Remember this game has no time limit unless
one is required and is announced before play starts. Once this
battle is completed and recorded add the Final Battle score to
all the Round Scores to obtain the Final Score. The player with
the highest Final Score is then declared the winner.
BATTLEBOOKS uses a point and differential
system for scoring. Players receive 5 points for a win and 0 points
for a loss. If the game is a draw or time runs out each player
is award 2 points. There is also a differential score for each
game played. The differential is the body point difference between
the two heroes. The winner receives positive points and the loser
receives negative points. For example Player A defeats Player
B, Player A's hero's body points are 21, Player B's hero's body
points are 29. Subtract the two numbers and the difference (8)
is the differential. Player A receives 5 points for the win and
a +8 as a differential. On the score card Player A's game score
will read 5/+8. Player B being the loser will receive 0 points
and a differential of -8. Player B's score will read 0/-8. Scores
are an accumulative total of all the games in that round and the
Final Score is an accumulative total of all the Round Scores plus
the Final Battle. For example Game 1 + Game 2 + Game 3 is the
Round Score. Round 1 Score + Round 2 Score + Final Battle is the
Final Score. If when the Final Scores are calculated and there
is a points and differential tie, a two player one game playoff
can be played to determine the absolute winner.
Swiss: Hero's Roll Call
The Hero's Roll Call tournament is
designed for the players of the game that feel that they play
one Hero better then anyone else. It is also the best format to
use as a tournament for new and younger players. This format has
no rounds only games and the players choose one hero to play throughout
the entire tournament. This makes it easy for people who are new
at the game or have one favorite hero to be rated as.
Pairings, Games, and scoring are conducted
slightly different then as in Clash of the Champions. Pairings
in the first game are conducted the same way as in Clash of the
Champions. Score and differential totals set Pairings for all
other games. The player with the highest score and differential
plays the player with the next highest score and differential.
The third highest score versus the fourth highest score and so
on until everyone has been paired. This pairing system continues
throughout the tournament and for the Final Battle.
Scoring for this tournament is simple.
Game 1 is added to Game 2. That total is then written in the total
score column at the end of the Game 2 row. The Game 3 total is
added to the Game 2 total score and then that total score is written
in the far column in the Game 3 row. This scoring system is continued
for the number of rounds set for the tournament. The numbers of
games are based on the number of players in the event. 8 players
requires 6 games, 9-16 requires 9 games, 17-24 players requires
12 games etc. After all games have been played the players are
ranked and paired one last time for the Final Battle. Once the
Final Battle is complete player's final scores are calculated
and the winners are announced. Player's are ranked by one Hero's
name and not with heroes with a different name. This tournament
format does not effect the standings in the rankings based on
Clash of the Champions and Secret Wars.
Blind: Secret Wars
Secret Wars is a spin-off of the traditional
sealed deck tournament format. Be prepared because this will take
the most pre-preparation of any tournament format. It's also the
most fun.
In preparation for this tournament
the organizer must prepare blind BATTLEBOOKS packs for the number
of player entering the tournament. Blind packs consist of two
different BATTLEBOOKS chosen form the current BATTLEBOOKS available
on the market. The packs are all different and the two books are
sealed in a non-see-through bag or other type package to conceal
the books. When players register they are given 1 pack and are
told not to open until instructed.
When the tournament begins and the
pairings are set according to the Swiss pairing rules above the
seals are broken and the player's books are revealed to them.
The rest of the tournament is run exactly
like the Clash of the Champions.
Rankings for Clash of the Champions
and Secret Wars are based on the player's knowledge of the game
and their ability to use multiple Heroes. These tournaments do
not effect individual Hero's ranking.
Non-sanctioned Tournament
Elimination: Last Man Standing
The Last Man Standing tournament is
a simple elimination style tournament. If you win you continue
to the next round. If you lose you go home. This format is not
for the week at heart and is not recommended for must newcomers.
The advantages to this type of tournament are that it is easy
to organize and can handle bigger groups of players faster and
with fewer games played.
This format allows the player to use
his best hero until that hero eliminated. At the beginning of
each game hero's body points are at maximum and standard rules
for game play are in used. Use the information below to calculate
the number of games required along with the number of pairings
needed for the first game.
To determine the number of games required
to play for the number of players that are playing refer to the
following chart.
2-4 players 2 games
3-8 players 3 games
9-16 players 4 games
17-32 players 5 games
33-64 players 6 games
65-128 players 7 games
129-256 players 8 games
Determining the number of pairings
or brackets that are required to start you will need to compare
the number of players in the tournament with the next lowest power
of 2. (The powers of 2 are 4,8,16,32,64,128,256, etc.) For example
if you have 30 players you will need to draw 16 pairings. If you
have 65 players you will need 64 pairing for the first game. Once
you have created the pairing chart have all players put their
names on a small piece of paper. Randomly draw one name from the
stack of name and write the name in the slot of the first pairing.
Draw the next name and write it in the first slot of the second
pairing. Continue this process until all of the first slots are
filled in the Game 1 pairing column. The next name that you draw
will then be written in the second slot of the first pairing and
the remaining names will follow suit down the Game 1 column. Any
pairing that is without a second player will receive a 'buy' for
that round and automatically advance to Game 2.
The next Game Round is then played
eliminating half of the remaining players. These Game Rounds continue
until one man stands alone, the winner.
Multi Player: Battle Royal
Let's get ready to, well you know.
It's all out warfare. Friend against friend. Partner against partner.
Enemy against enemy. Battle Royal is a multi player rule system
for BATTLEBOOKS. Its cutthroat and every hero for themselves and
is the must fun with 4 to 8 players.
Some of the general rules have been
modified for this format so it is important to go over the rules
before playing. All players sit at the same table. Players hold
both their hero card and book until play begins. The token system
that was explained previously is very important in this format
and gives control to a given player.
To begin play each player opens their
BATTLEBOOK to the first page and reads it aloud as if they were
explaining what restriction there hero has this round. For example
"I Wolverine have no restrictions next turn and will add
+2 if I score." Next choose the player that will go first
and give that person the token. The player with the token then
chooses whom he will attack for that turn. Those players will
then exchange books. The player with the token will call his move
and then his opponent calls their move. Scores are assessed, restrictions
are read and new body points are calculated for each player. The
books are then return to the players that own the books. The token
is then passed to the next player to the right. Then the new token
holder chooses the hero they wish to attack. Books again are exchanged
and moves are called and scored. Body points are recalculated
and books are exchanged back. This process continues around the
table. Players are eliminated one by one until the circle is down
to two. These two players battle until one of the two is eliminated
and the other is delayed the winner.
Have fun and try all these tournament
formats at home or your local BATTLEBOOKS retailer. We will add
new formats and rules as needed and if you have any question please
contact us.
Back to the
Arena