2023 NACT Spring Rulebook

North America Challenger Tournament Spring Season

1. Overview

The Official Rules, including any modifications, updates, amendments, adjustments, and/or supplements thereto ("Modifications"), have been adopted by the NACT (as defined in the Team Participation Agreement) in order to codify the rules and standards of conduct that will apply as a condition to participation in the "North American Challenger Tournament" (referred to "NACT"). The Official Rules have been designed by the NACT to ensure fair play in the Tournament, to preserve the integrity of all Tournament Events, to protect the image and reputation of the Tournament and to create a consistent and high-quality experience for members of the public that attend Tournament Events.

*The rules in this document will remain effective until a new version of the rules are made.

Applicability

• Effectivity of Rules

The Official Rules govern the conduct of the players, including without limitation to players (each, a “Player”), Head Coach (as defined below), General Manager (as defined below), and other employees, staff, and contractors (“Team Members”) of each team that has been admitted to playing in the Tournament (“Team”). In addition to Team Members, the Official Rules also govern the conduct of all direct and indirect owners of entities that own Teams admitted to playing in the Tournament (each, an “Owner”). By following the Official Rules, Team Members and Owners will help to promote long-term fan interest and loyalty, which benefits all participants in the Tournament.

The rules in this document will remain effective until a new version of the rules is made.

• Acceptance and Agreement

Each Team Member must, as a condition of participation as a Team Member of a Team in the Tournament, agree to comply at all times with the Official Rules. The Tournament reserves the right to require each Team Member of a Team to complete and sign a Team Member certificate and acceptance form in a form to be provided by the Tournament. Each Owner must, as a condition of their ownership of a Team, agree to comply at all times with the Official Rules. The documents and files pointed out by the operating committee are also part of the official rules, which all the participating teams also need to follow.

Modifications

The field and industry of professional eSports competitions are changing rapidly, and the Official Rules will have to evolve in real-time to keep pace with those changes. Accordingly, in its sole discretion, the NACT (a) may update, amend or supplement the Official Rules from time to time;, and(b) may interpret or apply the Official Rules by releasing bulletins, notices, explanatory videos, online postings, e-mail and/or other electronic communications that provide instructions and guidance to Owners and Team Members.

2.Tournament Schedule

1. Definition of Terms

1. Game. An instance of competition on the map designated by NACT that is played until a winner is determined by one of the following methods, whichever occurs first: (a) completion of the final objective (destruction of a base), (b) Team Surrender, (c) Team Disqualification, or (d) NACT Operating Committee deems a team has won.
2. Split (a.k.a. Season). There will be [2] splits (i.e. seasons) every year. Each split will consist of two  major phases: Regular Season & Playoff

2. Schedule

1. NACT Spring Season Registration Period: 02/13/2023~02/28/2023
2. NACT Spring Season Qualifier Stage: 03/04/2023~03/05/2023
3. NACT Spring Season Group Stage (Top 8): 03/11/2023~04/23/2023
4. NACT Spring Season Playoff Stage (Top 4): 04/29/2023~04/30/2023
5. NACT Spring Season Grand Final (LAN): 05/14/2023

• Spring Season Schedule

• Fall Season Schedule(*TBD):        

3. Match Format

3. 2023 NACT Spring Season will start with an Open-to-All Qualifier for all North American MLBB players and teams.
4. There are 64 teams or more for the qualifiers.
5. Qualifier Stage employs a Double Elimination Best of 1 format. Upper Bracket will stop at Round 5 with 4 teams remaining; Lower bracket will stop at Round 7 with 4 teams remaining. Remaining 8 teams will enter the First Season of NACT League.
6. Regular Season Stage employs a Double Round Robin Best of 3 format. Every team will play each other TWICE among the 8 teams. Top 4 teams with the most set wins will proceed to the playoffs.
7. In the event of Tie, Tie Breaker will be employed with priority listed below:

1. Net individual match win counts. Every small match win is +2, and every small match loss is -1. Teams will be seeded based on total points.
2. Match Win-Lose relationship. (e.g. Team Alpha vs. Team Beta have 2-1, 2-1 result, then Team Alpha will acquire the higher seeding since Team Alpha has 4 match wins comparing Beta's 2 match wins)
3. Total Kills for each team. (e.g. if Alpha has 50 kills combining all the matches vs. Team Beta, and Team Beta has 45 kills, then Team Alpha will acquire the higher rank)
4. Shortest game time. (e.g. If Team Alpha fastest match win has shorter game time than Team Beta fastest win’s game time, then Team Alpha will acquire the higher rank)

8. Playoff Stage employs Double Elimination Best of 5 format. Top 2 teams remaining will proceed to Offline Grand Final for 2023 NACT Spring Season.
9. Grand Final employs Single Elimination Best of 7 format. Grand Final will be hosted in an Offline venue.

4.Player Requirement

1. The act of registering for this tournament implies full acceptance of all terms, conditions, rules, and regulations stated, in its entirety.
2. Players below the age of 14  by required Grand Final Date (05/14/2023) are not allowed to join this tournament.
3. Players between 14 to 17 yrs old must have notarized consent from a legal guardian for all required travel plans that might take place for NACT Spring Season (Domestic Travel) and MSC(International Travel). Please contact NACT Staff in official Discord and submit a notarized and signed copy of Legal Guardian Consent Letter(Appendix B - NACT young participant guardian consent letter LINK:2023 NACT Apendix B).
4. This tournament is open to players who currently reside in the United States & Canada only.
5. Players must either be a standing US/Canadian Citizen with valid passports or have valid United States VISA that allows them to travel to the United States during required offline event appearances. Upon entering the Regular Season, players must demonstrate valid documentation for entering or staying in the United States, failure to do so might result in Disqualification and more.
6. As safety protocols for the current pandemic, all members of the team roster must be fully vaccinated against COVID 19. Each individual is required to have at least 2 vaccination doses.
7. Any player is ONLY allowed to server on 1 team throughout the tournament duration, no matter the role (including substitute player, coach, analyst, team manager)
8. Players must reach a minimum of Legend Rank to participate in 2023 NACT Spring.
9. Players must be available for all tournament dates, including potential post-tournament interviews or other tournament events of NACT Spring Season and MSC.

1. Failure to cooperate with Tournament Organizers on scheduling required media appearances and scheduled tournament time will result in Penalties ranging from Prize Penalty,  and depending on severity of the event, up to Indefinite Suspension on all official Mobile Legends Esports.
2. Prize Penalty Details:

1. 10 minutes late to schedule - 10% Prize Pool Deduction Per Occasion
2. 20 minutes late to schedule - 20% Prize Pool Deduction Per Occasion
3. 30 minutes late to schedule - 40% Prize Pool Deduction Per Occasion
4. 40 minutes late to schedule - 100% Prize Pool Deduction.

10. Players must be available for all global event dates upon winning the season championship.
11. Top 8 teams who qualified for NACT Spring Season must sign Appendix A - NACT Spring Season Player Eligibility Agreement and submit to NACT committee (2023 NACT Apendix A)
12. Players entering in the Playoff stage must submit a clean photo with following requirements:

1. Standing up
2. Clean shirt and pants
3. Casual posture

13. Player Conduct：

1. Players must NOT engage in any Sexiest, Racist comments in Public, failure to do so will face punishment ranging from Prize Penalty,  and depending on severity of the event, up to Indefinite Suspension on all official Mobile Legends Esports.
2. Players must be able to commit to the time/schedule listed in the Handbook as well as any additional media requirements by Moonton and Event Organizers.
3. Manipulating match results such as agreeing on losing on purpose, engaging or imposing in violent threat or activities will be considered as disqualification, and players and associated team will be banned indefinitely upon further notice.
4. Players must remain respectful to all staff involved in the tournament. Behaviors including but not limited to, sexual harassment, verbal assault, physical violence, are strictly forbidden. Players may file complaints, dispute to Event Organizers in respectful and direct ways. We treat customer service very seriously.

5. Team Requirement

1. Top 8 teams who qualified for NACT Spring Season must sign Appendix C - NACT Spring Season Team Eligibility Agreement and submit to NACT committee (2023 NACT Appendix C - Team Eligibility Agreement)
2. Team captains are expected to have Discord installed on their mobile devices.
3. All registered teams must have a roster of players and personnel of 5 minimum and 7 maximum. This is subject to change for Championship Teams due to comply with global tournament rules. (e.g. M4 World Championship allows a team to bring upwards of 10 people for a singular team)

• 5 main players (necessary)
• 1 substitute player (optional);
• 1 manager/coach/substitute (optional);

4. Teams are prohibited to replace any of the registered members, including the substitute player once Registration ends. Please stay tuned in the Official Discord server for more information. https://discord.gg/mlbbna 
5. Teams will be granted a grace period to add or replace a substitute and a coach/manager upon progressing to the Grand Final of the 2023 NACT Spring Season. Team roster is not allowed to be altered upon entering the offline Grand Final event.
6. Teams are required to submit a team logo upon entering the tournament. If you need to update your team logo, please contact our tournament administrator on official discord. https://discord.gg/mlbbna
7. Teams are required to produce a team shirt/jersey and jacket for their players upon successfully qualifying for any Official Global Tournament. Players are required to wear said shirts during media day and official tournament days.
8. The design of the team's shirt/jersey needs to be checked before production.
9. Teams are allowed to get their own sponsors throughout the tournament. However, the following categories of sponsors are strictly prohibited which include but not limited to:

1. casino or gambling websites;
2. websites displaying or related to pornographic imagery or products;
3. firearms, handguns, or ammunition providers;
4. Alcohol;
5. Drugs;
6. virtual currency;
7. tobacco or cigarettes, including e-cigarette and vaping products;
8. account sharing/skin selling websites
9. another product or service that Moonton determines is detrimental to the NACT or in a competitive relationship with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang mobile game.

10. By registering, teams acknowledge that all usage of photos, videos, and any form of recording during the tournament has been given legal consent by the players for media and marketing purposes.
11. An organization may have a maximum of one team representing them in NACT. If an organization is caught having more than one team representing them, one team will be disqualified from the tournament.

6. Team Names, Team Logos, and Player Names

1. Team names and logos must only contain English characters, numbers, single space between words only, and symbols including underline (_) and dash (-).
2. Team shall also provide a short name of the contemplated Team name, length is 2-4 characters, which must only contain English characters and numbers. Unless otherwise specified by the Team, the NACT committee is entitled to use, at its own discretion, the full Team name and/or the short Team name on any occasion.
3. The verification of the images or the names of sponsors are allowed to be shown in Team Logos and Team Names but they cannot be the same as the trademark and the name of the sponsors. Team Logos and Team names cannot use any logo with which there exists any copyright issues.
4. The NACT officials reserve the final right to approve team names and logos.
5. Any applications regarding changes to team names or logos must be submitted to the NACT at least 3 days in advance, the new name or logo can only be used after obtaining approval.

7. Player Names

1. Player names must only contain English characters, numbers, or a single space between words only. The length should be 4 to 12 characters. Player Names cannot contain a sponsor's name, and cannot be similar to any brand. Also, any player's names that may cause misunderstanding are not allowed.
2. In case of duplicated names, the player should change the name after consulting the Event Organizer.
3. No additional special characters will be allowed for Team names, Logos, or Player Names (including underscores, slashes, etc.). Team Names, Logos, players' names may not contain vulgarities or obscenities; names related to the hero characters in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang or other similar characters; or other contents that may create confusion.

8.Communication

1. DISCORD shall be used as the communication tool for the NACT Spring Season between team representatives and NACT officials.
2. For questions or feedback you may contact the NACT League Ops. team at discord https://discord.gg/mlbbna
3. Each team must have all members present at the official NACT discord channel: https://discord.gg/mlbbna. And all active players must be present in Voice Channels during their effective game time.
4. Use a username the same as your team so as to make it easier for opposing captains to find one another. NACT officials reserve the right to do server name change for you in case of need.

9.Reporting Match Wins and Disputes

1. Match wins will be recorded on official channels such as start.gg/nact2023 website and official NACT discord.
2. Disputes must be reported directly to our Tournament Moderators within 1 week of the event. Disputes that happen outside of the 1 week window will not be accepted.
3. Screenshots as evidence of claims are recommended to quicken to process.
4. Any disputes regarding the matches should be reported within 10 minutes of the matches' finishing. Any disputes after the 10-minute mark will be subject to the decision of the Match Moderator whether to pursue them or not. As always, the Match Moderator holds the final say regarding tournament details.

10.Ping Test (Regular Season)

1. We will NOT conduct any Ping Test throughout the NACT Spring Season.
2. If a large number of players are experiencing unbearable ping jumps or lags, a remake might be issued for the benefit of the match. (>3 players)
3. Match Moderator will use the most appropriate server for each game based on teams’ player location. Tournament Default is Central Server (server 124).
4. After the official match starts, no rematches will be allowed if any of the teams have connection issues. Players are responsible for their own Internet connection.
5. If there is a sudden network problem after the official match starts, team members can type the letter "P" into the game chat and the organizers will pause the match on your behalf. Each team has only 2 chances per match.

11.Must know during a Match

1. All the matches will be in Tournament Mode.
2. All players must only use their own game account to take part in matches.
3. The team on the top of the bracket will have the choice for which side they play.
4. All players are required to have their Audio check on throughout all the entire broadcasted and then the livestream in Top 16 matches.

12.Match-ups, Tardiness and No Shows

1. Teams are expected to be responsible for locating their own match time. The broadcast schedule can be found in the announcement channel in Official Mobile Legends: Bang Bang North America Discord channel or www.start.gg/nact2023 website.
2. Teams are expected to check in on start.gg 1hr before designated game time and be ready in voice channel 15 minutes before scheduled game time.
3. If any team is still not ready at the designated match time, their opponent can take a default match win by contacting the match admin.
4. If both teams agree, they can delay for a maximum of 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, whoever has the most players in their team will take a default win and must report to a tournament admin.
5. For the Open Qualifier Stage, If both teams agree, they can also start their match earlier under the supervision of match moderator.
6. Every team can request up to 2 Pauses Per Game, with up to 2 minutes per Pause. After each pause, the team is required to inform the Match Mod immediately about the reasons for the pause. We are not responsible for additional pauses players might need due to connectivity issues.
7. Match start time might vary a bit from scheduled time due to the nature of game progression. Nonetheless, teams should be ready in voice channel no later than 15 minutes before scheduled game time.
8. If the previous match has been canceled because of a disqualification, the next teams can start early if both participating teams are ready.
9. Rematch is possible only if probable cause is found and justified by the match admin.
10. All Match Results are Final and cannot be disputed once approved by the match admin. If you disagree with the match result, you can report a dispute to your match admin within 5 minutes of the match conclusion.

13.Cheating and Unsportsmanlike Conduct

1. Players proven to have been cheating, conspiring to cheat, or acting in unsportsmanlike conduct will receive consequences upon the review of their action (19. Penalty Appendix).
2. Cheating is defined as any practice that gives an unfair advantage to a team or player. The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties at the discretion of the NACT officials.

1. Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more Players, Head Coaches, Teams, and/or confederates to disadvantage opposing Players. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as:

1. Soft play, which is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more players to not damage, impede or otherwise play to a reasonable standard of competition in a game.
2. Pre-arranging to split prize money and/or any other form of compensation.
3. Sending or receiving signals, electronic or otherwise, from a confederate to/from a Player.
4. Deliberately losing a Game for prize money, or for any other reason, or attempting to induce another Player to do so.

3. Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang game client by any Player, Team or person acting on behalf of a Player or a Team.
4. Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug to seek an advantage. Exploiting includes, but is not limited to, acts such as: glitches in buying items, glitches in neutral minion interactions, glitches in Heroes ability performance, or any other game function that, in the sole determination of the NACT committee, is not functioning as intended.

1. Spectator Monitors. Players who are playing in a Game are not permitted to look at or attempt to look at any screen or device that is displaying an observer level view of that Game (i.e., that is or is capable of showing a neutral view of the map).
2. Ringing. Playing under another Player's account or soliciting, inducing, encouraging or directing someone else to play under another Player's account.
3. Cheating Methods. The use of any kind of cheating device and/or cheat program, or any similar cheating method such as signaling devices, hand signals, etc.
4. Intentional Disconnection. An intentional disconnection without a proper and explicitly-stated reason.
5. NACT official discretion. Any other further act, failure to act, or behavior which, in the sole judgment of the NACT committee, violates these Rules and/or the standards of integrity established by NACT for competitive game play.

5. All piloting behaviors are strictly forbidden and players who are confirmed with such actions will be punished to the fullest extent that event organizer sees fit. Piloting includes but is not limited to:

1. Playing more than 1 account during a tournament
2. Using fake real person ID is Registration
3. Playing someone else's account throughout the tournament

Players directly involved in piloting, pilot or being piloted, will receive a minimum 365 day ban from participating in all official MLBB Esports events. Players who are indirectly involved in piloting, playing with piloted account in tournament matches, will receive a minimum of 90 day ban from participating in all official MLBB Esports events.

6. All other violations that might prevent the normal proceeding of NACT. (Examples include player’s personal decision to withdraw from an ongoing tournament, player bad mouthing an official tournament or related parties with malicious intent, etc.) The NACT committee reserves the right to issue all appropriate punishment it sees fit.

14. Livestreams & Rebroadcast

1. Players are allowed to broadcast their perspective with a minimum of 1 minute delay. NACT is not responsible for any information players leak on their own broadcast.
2. Upon approval from Event Organizer, Influencers are allowed to rebroadcast all tournaments using official tournament feed.
3. Streamers who rebroadcast NACT official tournaments must follow recommendations put forward by the NACT Committee.

15. 2024 NACT Spring Grand Final

1. The NACT Grand Final will take place on Sunday, May 12nd, 2024 at HyperX Arena, Las Vegas.
2. The day prior to the NACT Spring Grand Finals, Saturday, May 13th, 2023, equipment will be set up, followed by a game rehearsal for further testing and potential media day for all broadcast materials.
3. Admins will be on standby to assist in set up and troubleshooting.
4. In the event a device has an issue that cannot be solved, it is the player’s responsibility to find a replacement device or equipment.
5. It is the player’s responsibility to ensure all hardware and software is working to their standard during this day.
6. Players’ devices will be screened for cheating softwares on Media Day.
7. The two finalist teams will receive travel information and a Player Handbook upon completion of NACT Semi-Final Broadcast on 04/30/2023.
8. The Player Handbook will include all relevant details and schedules for NACT Spring Grand Final.
9. All players must bring their own devices and use their own devices to play Mobile Legends in the Offline Event.

1. Allowed devices include mobile devices using IOS or Android systems.
2. Bluestacks or similar software used to emulate Mobile Legends is not allowed in any circumstance. The Tournament Organizers reserve the right to inspect all equipment and deny the use of any equipment or device suspected of providing an unfair competitive advantage.
3. During play players are not permitted to use any applications other than Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.
4. All notifications must be turned off during match time.

10. Players may bring their own Bluetooth wireless earbuds to hear game sounds. If players elect not to bring their own earbuds, a default pair will be provided by the Tournament Operator.
11. Players are required to wear noise-canceling headsets provided by the Tournament Operator.
12. During the course of the game, if a Player experiences a hardware failure that causes them to disconnect from the game, experience a game crash or a freeze, experience a game stopping bug in the Game Client, or otherwise renders the player unable to continue playing the game, they will be subject to game or match disconnection regulations at the discretion of the Tournament Organizers.
13. Players who experience any client-side graphical freeze which renders the player unable to continue playing the game may attempt to reconnect to the game. No consideration will be provided for any time skipped within such game. Games experiencing client-side graphical freezes are not subject to a restart. Winners will be decided at the consideration of the Tournament Director.
14. If applicable, all players must remain seated until the end of each game. Each player must wait for the Tournament Director to indicate when they are permitted to leave their seat after a game is complete. The winning team should remain in their pod and await instruction from Tournament Administrators for post-game interviews or photography.
15. Apparel: All Players and Guests must wear appropriate attire at all times if shown on the broadcast. While on camera, all Players are required to wear either their Player jersey or team t-shirt pants and closed-toe shoes. All attire may be reviewed at the discretion of Tournament Organizers and Players or Guests may be asked to change their attire prior to the start of the Tournament. Failure to meet any attire requests from Tournament Organizers may result in Tournament penalties.  
16. Punctuality: Players must be ready to play at least twenty (20) minutes before the scheduled start time of each match. If the matches run behind or ahead of the scheduled time, Tournament Administrators will inform affected players of the new start times. If a player fails to arrive at their match within 10 minutes of the scheduled start time, the Player will forfeit the Tournament series. In the case of technical difficulties, players must inform Tournament Administrators immediately and a game may be delayed or forfeited as a result.
17. Players must respect any rules and guidelines Offline Venue have in place. Following items are strictly prohibited in NACT Grand Final venue:

1. Club-like Items or Striking Devices
2. Lasers or light pointers
3. Air horns or whistles
4. Destructive Devices, Explosives, or Combustible Chemical Compounds or Mixtures including any flammable liquid or aerosol cans
5. Disabling Chemicals or Other Dangerous items including mace, pepper spray, or other chemical spray designed for self-defense
6. Illegal Drugs, Substances, or Drug Paraphernalia
7. Prescription Medications unless legally prescribed by a qualified medical professional
8. Alcohol or Flasks
9. Animals

16. NACT Grand Final Match Procedures

1. Pauses

1. Pauses were initiated by players raising their hand and getting the attention of the tournament admin. Once a pause is initiated the team must give the reason for initiating a pause.
2. Pauses initiated during teams engaging with each other are allowed but are discouraged and will be scrutinized to a higher degree.
3. Given an issue is unsolvable during a pause, the player may be required to finish the current game.

2. Coach Communication

1. Coaches are allowed on stage during the Ban Pick Phase of a match.
2. Once the draft is finished, the coach must not communicate with their team in any way and is required to step off the stage.

3. Match Ending

1. Players are required to participate in post game interviews if scheduled.
2. Players are required to behave in a respectful manner during the interview. Failure to behave in a professional and respectful manner will result in Prize Pool penalties.

17. Prize Pool Breakdown

1. The below are payouts per placement for each Team.

Total Prize Pool: $23,500 USD & 850,000 Diamonds

1st - $15,000 & 100,000 Diamonds

2nd - $6,000 & 75,000 Diamonds

3rd - $2,500 & 50,000 Diamonds

4th - 25,000 Diamonds

5th-8th - 20,000 Diamonds

9th-16th - 15,000 Diamonds

17th-32nd - 10,000 Diamonds

33rd~64th - 7,500 Diamonds

65th~96th - 2,500 Diamonds

2. All prize money will be awarded solely to each Team Payee designated by the Team based on their respective final placement in the Tournament. Prize money will be paid within sixty (60) days of the conclusion of the Tournament if all legal waivers, affidavits and tax forms as requested by the Tournament Organizer have been submitted and filled out accurately.

3. Prizing Restrictions

Each Team or Player that has been declared the winner (each, a “Winner”) of a Prize in the Tournament will not be an official Winner unless and until the Team and all Players execute any and all documents reasonably required by the Tournament Organizers, including affidavits of eligibility, team tournament entry agreements, individual participation agreements and releases, etc., and any required payment information and tax forms in order to receive payment (“Winner Forms”). If a Team or a Player fails or refuses to sign and return all the Winner Forms within ten (10) days (or a shorter time if required by exigencies) after receiving them, the Player and the Player’s Team may be disqualified. In the event a Player or a Team is disqualified, the Tournament Organizers reserve the right, but not the obligation, to award the applicable prize to the Player or Team that last lost to the disqualified Player or Team.

Failure of any Player or Team to take delivery of any Prize may result in forfeiture, and such Prize awarded to an alternate Player or Team. Prizes may not be transferred or assigned until after a Winner has complied with all his, her or its obligations under the Tournament Rules. No substitutions may be made for Prize(s), except by the Tournament Organizers, who reserve the right to substitute any non-cash prizes in whole or in part with another prize of comparable or greater value if the intended prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Tournament Organizers in their sole discretion. By participating in the Tournament, Winner acknowledges that Tournament Entities have not and will not obtain or provide insurance of any kind relating to the prizes. Winner will be responsible for all taxes and similar fees (including but not limited to federal, state, local and/or income) on any Prize won and on the value of any non-cash items or value transferred to the Team or Player by the Tournament Organizers, and will be required to provide, as applicable: his/her/its Social Security Number and/or Tax Identification Number, IRS Form W8BEN, IRS Form W9, or equivalent information for tax reporting purposes (at a time to be determined in the sole discretion of the Tournament Organizers, and which may be prior to participation in a particular round or prior to receipt of any prize by a Player or Team). The Tournament Organizers will file an IRS Form 1099 or equivalent tax withholding documentation for the cash (or retail value of any Prize or other non-cash items of value) transferred to the Team or Player by the Tournament Organizers in accordance with IRS requirements, and the Tournament Organizers may also share such documentation with a federal, state or local government agency as required by law. Refusal or failure of a Winner to satisfy the requirements of all necessary and appropriate tax, withholding or other required compliance terms, as determined by the Tournament Organizers in their sole discretion, will result in the Winner forfeiting the Prize(s) and an alternate Winner being selected in accordance herewith. The Tournament Organizers will award Prizes subject to any applicable withholding taxes, and the amount of the Prize transferred, as reduced by any applicable withholding taxes, will constitute full payment of the Prize. Tournament Organizers may withhold and deduct taxes and similar liabilities from the prize value required by law and remit the same to applicable tax authorities.

Prizes for Winners who do not claim the Prize or satisfy the information or documentation requirements within three (3) months of the close of the Tournament or such earlier time as designated by the Tournament Organizers are void, and the Tournament Organizers shall have no further liability or responsibility to such Teams or Players in connection with the Prize.

18.Changes to the Rules Above

The Tournament Admin has the right to overrule any of the rules above. This is to avoid players trying to use a loophole in the rules to gain an unfair advantage.

Moonton, at their discretion, may change any of the rules. Moonton has the final decision with regards to anything about the tournament.

19. Penalty Appendix

Upon discovery of any Team Member committing  any violations of these Rules, the NACT official may, without limitation of its authority, issue the following penalties:

1. Verbal or Written Warning(s)
2. Fine(s) or Confiscation of Prize
3. Suspension(s) for attending MLBB official tournaments.
4. Disqualification for NACT
5. Restricted access to NACT offline events
6. Restricted participation in activities related to NACT
7. Disqualification for any personal rewards selection
8. Any other punishment deemed fit by NACT official and NACT committee.

Upon discover of any Team or Organization committing any violations of these Rules, the NACT official may, without limitation of its authority, issue the following penalties:

1. Verbal or Written Warning(s)
2. Loss of Side Selection for current or future game(s)
3. Loss of Ban for Current or Future Game(s)
4. Fine(s)
5. Loss of Games
6. Loss of Match(es)
7. Suspension(s) for attending MLBB official tournaments
8. Any other punishment deemed fit by NACT official and NACT committee.

Repeated infractions are subject to escalating penalties, up to, and including, disqualification from future participation in NACT.

Depending on the severity of offense, the NACT Committee reserves the right to issue any other punishment deemed fit by NACT officials.

20. 2023 MSC Adjustment Appendix

Special provisions applicable to 2023 NACT Spring Champion. In compliance with MSC requirements, the NACT committee will allow the following adjustments for potential candidates representing the North America region in the upcoming 2023 Mobile Legends Southeast Asia Cup. In other words, the 2023 NACT Spring Champion team can make necessary adjustments to fit the MSC requirements pertaining to the following rules.

• Team is allowed to submit a full name change request for NACT committee’s approval. Team has to provide adequate reasons for such adjustments such as professional organization sponsorship, internal structure adjustment, player eligibility adjustment for MSC, etc.
• Team is required to submit a minimum roster of 7 people, including 1 Head Coach, 5 starting players, 1 substitute and a maximum of 10 people including 1 General Manager, 1 Head Coach, 1 Analyst, 5 starting players and 2 substitute players.

• Team is allowed to change up to 2 members from their current roster if necessary in compliance with MSC travel requirements.
• Newly added members can be anyone who currently holds standing citizenship or permanent residency of the United States or Canada.
• All members participating in MSC must be 16 years and older.

• Any roster change or name change request has to be submitted by 05/14/2023 11:59pm PT. No later request(s) will be accepted.