The Highlander Tournament ------------------------- (Note: Many of the rules of this tournament rely on the honor system. Where it is possible to put in checks for violations, they have been noted and will be designated "VC" in this listing. It goes without saying that hacks, trainers, god-mode, etc. are not allowed.) - The tournament will begin as soon as a specified minimum number of players sign up. This number will be determined by the tournament coordinator. Once the minimum number have signed up the tournament coordinator will send an email to all participants. This email will give a list of all current participants along with a specific date/time (bnet time) for the start, allowing a buffer for delivery and receipt of emails. Participants may join the tournament any time after this start time. Players may also rejoin the tournament with a new character if they have already been beheaded with their previous character. However, if there are only two participants remaining, no more players may enter. (VC - players joining/rejoining after the official start must inform the coordinator and wait for verification before starting play to ensure that players don't keep popping up and dragging the tournament out forever) - The tournament coordinator should provide some means of reporting the status of each player. The suggested means for this is to provide a forum accessible by all players on which player status, news, etc. can be posted. (VC - Each player should, at a minimum, report their character level to the coordinator every fifth level, beginning with clevel 10. This should be used by the coordinator to try to determine that someone has not artificially inflated their character level. The coordinator needs to be careful with this but something such as a player hitting level 40 the first day should strike one as highly suspicious.) - All player classes are allowed. Each participant must weigh the strengths and weaknesses of their choice given the rules of the tournament. - No mules allowed. Equipment may be left in town without worry of another participant stealing it. Each player will designate an area of town considered theirs from which nothing may be taken. Any equipment that is up for grabs should be left in town square or on the dungeon floor. (VC - any player accused of stealing should be reported to the tournament coordinator who will, if they believe the charge to be valid, have the power to disqualify the thief) - All play must be conducted on bnet allowing that each player is challengable whenever they are active. - Players may never refuse to play with another participant (with the exception of the quickening noted below). They may, however, refuse to play with non-participants. To this end, they may password their game. Unless the game already contains 4 immortals, the game creator must provide this password when messaged. If a game contains 4 players but 1 or more is a non-participant, the non-participant must be asked (politely) to leave to make room for the tournament player. (VC - in the event of a full game, the creator will still provide the password so that the new player can verify that they are unable to join) - When joining a game with another participant, either player may declare the game a deathmatch. A deathmatch is the only time a beheading (a win with the subsequent quickening) can occur. The only sanctuary from a deathmatch is the church. A deathmatch can never be played in the church as it is holy ground. If a player is in the church or can get there without being beheaded by the other, they are safe. If a player attempts to get to the church, they can only do so through the dungeon. They may not exit the level through a town portal and then enter from town. If neither player declares a deathmatch, the game is considered coop and must be played with all the best intentions of cooping (players will res each other and do their best to help each other recover lost gear). If a player enters a game containing more than one immortal playing a coop game, they may challenge any single other player. All others that were in the game must either leave or simply observe. An observer may never wait with the thought of challenging the winner. All deathmatchs are strictly one on one. Players must decide whether to play on a fresh level or a cleared level. A level containing monsters may only be used if both players agree. Otherwise, the level must be cleared, either a previously cleared level or be cleared by both players before the deathmatch starts. In the latter case, while clearing the level, the game will be treated as coop. Once the level has been cleared, each player should separate and, at a location of their choice, cast town portal. They will then enter their portal back to town. Once each player appears in town and all business has been conducted (repairs, etc.), the match begins. They should re-enter their portal and begin hunting the other. - A beheading must be performed with an edged weapon, be it sword or axe. Deaths by any other method will not count as a beheading. This includes magic. Note, however, that magic, bows, etc. may still be used for the deathmatch. However, if a player is put down with one of these or by monsters, they must be ressurected by the remaining player. This player may attempt to take the head of the newly resurrected player but runs the risk of facing a player who was able to do a full heal before the blow lands (if it lands at all). - Once a beheading occurs, we have "The Quickening". The dead player should restart in town. He has a couple of duties at this time. First, he should report his XP to the winner. The winner should record this number. The loser should also drop all equipment. Everything now belongs to the winner, if he so chooses. Equipment will be of no use to the loser as that character is now finished. The winner now has the option of a challenge-free period. During this period, he may refuse a challenge by other players. This period ends at which time his XP equals his current XP plus that of the loser or he accepts a challenge from another player, which ever comes first. Note that other players will still be playing and building their characters as well and so, this quickening may not be a benefit to the player. Once there are only two participants left, the coordinator should notify them of this fact and that any current challenge-free period is canceled. Each player is now fair game for the other. The coordinator should also act to resolve any differences in normal playing times so that the challenge can happen. (VC - each player should report their win/loss to the coordinator for both verification and reporting purposes - also, any player encountering another who refuses a challenge because of their quickening should, to the best of their ability, verify that fact using the satus reporting system that has been set up) - The requirements for winning the tournament go without saying, "There can be only one!" - Backups for restore due to outside influences (lag out without possibility of rejoin, system crash, etc.) are allowed. I would like to suggest what is required for reporting regarding character level. Omega, since you are the official push behind this tourny, please confirm or modify. Report ONLY character level. This is intended to be there only for the purpose of monitoring progress of the overall tournament. DO NOT report stats, character type, etc. This info should be a surprise to those who are challenging (given they haven't co-oped previously). Players should only have a general idea of where other characters are at. Two immortals who had not met would only have rumor to go on to decide if they are strong enough to challenge and I think that is the spirit we should preserve here. If you knew that a character of the same level as you had been extremely lucky with shrines/elixirs/equip while yours had been bad, you might run and hide rather than take the chance. Even an immortal's life should have some element of risk. As to the frequency of reporting character level, please try to stick as close as possible to the every five (1-29)/every two (30+) requirement Omega posted earlier. However, it should not be necessary to abandon a game just to report your level. Simply report the level you have reached once you have finished the current game. For the quickening, please do not forget to report (both winner and loser) and report only winners and losers XP so that people can verify your quickening status. For those who are refused a challenge because the person is in the quickening, please ask for their current XP and use the reports here to verify (although it is, of course, OK to just trust the person too!). - When joining a game with another participant, either player may declare the game a deathmatch. A deathmatch is the only time a beheading (a win with the subsequent quickening) can occur. The only sanctuary from a deathmatch is the church. A deathmatch can never be played in the church as it is holy ground. If a player is in the church or can get there without being beheaded by the other, they are safe. If a player attempts to get to the church, they can only do so through the dungeon. They may not exit the level through a town portal and then enter from town. THE PLAYER MUST DECLARE THAT HE IS HEADING FOR THE CHURCH AND, BECAUSE OF THIS, THERE WILL NOT BE A PRE-CLEAR OF THE LEVELS. THE CHALLENGER IS FREE TO BEGIN HUNTING THE RUNNER. ALSO NOTE THAT IF THE PLAYER IS CAUGHT IN TOWN AND DECIDES TO RUN FOR CHURCH, HE MAY NOT ENTER THE CHURCH DIRECTLY BUT MUST ENTER THROUGH ONE OF THE ALTERNATE ROUTES, BE IT AN ACTIVE TOWN PORTAL (LEADING TO ANY LEVEL, INCLUDING CHURCH) OR ONE OF THE OTHER OPENINGS. If neither player declares a deathmatch, the game is considered coop and must be played with all the best intentions of cooping (players will res each other and do their best to help each other recover lost gear). If a player enters a game containing more than one immortal playing a coop game, they may challenge any single other player. All others that were in the game must either leave or simply observe. An observer may never wait with the thought of challenging the winner. All deathmatchs are strictly one on one. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A RUN FOR HOLY GROUND, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, players must decide whether to play on a fresh level or a cleared level. A level containing monsters may only be used if both players agree. Otherwise, the level must be cleared, either a previously cleared level or be cleared by both players before the deathmatch starts. In the latter case, while clearing the level, the game will be treated as coop. Once the level has been cleared, each player should separate and, at a location of their choice, cast town portal. They will then enter their portal back to town. Once each player appears in town and all business has been conducted (repairs, etc.), the match begins. They should re-enter their portal and begin hunting the other. - killing Diablo?????