Warship Masters 2024

Ruleset

Version 1.1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction        3

2. General Information        3

2.1. Schedule        3

2.2. Format        3

2.3. Point System        4

2.5. Website and Public Information        5

2.6. Game Modifications        5

2.7. Map Pool        5

2.8. Prizes        6

3. Team Setup and Communications        6

3.1. Invitation        6

3.2. Team Logos        6

3.3. Communications        7

3.4. Press Accounts        7

4. Tournament        8

4.1. General        8

4.2. Maps: The Pick/Ban System        9

5. General Rules        9

5.1. Disputes and Restarts        9

5.2. Broadcasts        11

5.3. Rules for Official Streamers        11

5.4. Sportsmanship        13

5.5. Rules for Tournament Staff        14

5.6. Rule Changes        14

6. Glossary        15

7. Appendices        16

7.1. Appendix A: List of Prohibited Ships        16

7.2. Appendix B: Map Spawn Locations        16

7.3. Appendix C: Prizes        17

1. Introduction

Initially created in 2020, Warship Masters is a global tournament with a unique points system. Based on the preceding Clan Battles season, the 2024 Warship Masters sees the best teams of each region clash in a two weekend international event. Sixteen teams, four from each region (NA/EU/ASIA/CN), will be invited based on their Clan Battles season 24 performance to compete for the Warship Masters title.

Good luck! And may the best prove themselves as the next Warship Masters.

2. General Information

1. Schedule

1. Following dates will be used for the event:

2. All times used in documents and discord are always mentioned in UTC.

2. Format

1. All games are played in a 7v7 format with Tier X and Superships only.
2. Double elimination, best of 3, except for the international playoff grand final; which will be played as best of 5. Regional bracket group structure can be found here. International playoff structure can be found here.

• Regional bracket group placement will determine the amount of KotS Qualification Points earned by teams:

3. The use of carriers and submarines are prohibited.
4. Ships not released or recently released are banned from use. See Appendix A for a comprehensive list.
5. Teams are composed of at least seven (7) players and a maximum of twelve (12) players.
6. One of these players is the designated team representative, and must join and be available on the WM discord.

3. Point System

1. Ships are assigned a point value.
2. Teams receive 100 points to use when assembling a team composition.
3. A preliminary list of the point values can be found here. Ships highlighted in orange are Flagships; see “The Flagship System” in section 2.4. Please note that the point values are subject to change until the tournament starts.
4. The team composition drafter is available to aid in designing compositions.

4. The Flagship System

1. A limited number of Tier X ships and Superships are designated as flagships:

• These are Patrie, Vermont, Petropavlovsk, Annapolis, Novosibirsk, Conde, Napoli, and Zorkiy

2. Each team may only pick each individual flagship twice throughout the entire tournament. Once these picks have been used, the ship is no longer available to be used by that team.
3. Other than their point values, there are no limits on the number of flagships which may be brought into a game. A team lineup could consist entirely of a combination of flagships as long as the composition is equal to or under the 100 point limit and each individual flagship has not been picked more than twice.
4. For example: team A starts the tournament with all flagships available to be used. Team A may choose to bring 2 Napolis to one game, or 1 Napoli in two games, after which Napoli is no longer available to be used. Any other flagships may still be used.

5. Website and Public Information

1. Team registration and management will be handled by the WoWs Tournaments website.
2. The tournament will be supported by a tournament organizer; for Warship Masters 2024 it will be Toornament.
3. Through Toornament, the public will be able to see team names, their logo and respective standings.

6. Game Modifications

1. All mods from Aslain’s Mod Pack and the official Wargaming ModStation are allowed.
2. All players must have replays enabled. Replays are enabled by default and should be preserved by teams for all tournament battles for at least 48 hours. 

Note: Replays are overwritten by default, make sure to copy them to a separate folder following your games.

7. Map Pool

All maps are played in Clans.Domination settings with a 20 minute timer and no cyclones. The map pool is:

• Shatter
• Islands of Ice
• Hotspot
• Riposte
• Tears of the Desert
• Sleeping Giant
• Warriors Path

1. Prizes

1. Cash prizes are split across the team roster list. In-game prizes are per-player.
2. For a team to be eligible for rewards, they must complete all matches in which they are scheduled. Failure to play all scheduled matches or other misconduct may result in a reduction or full withholding of rewards.
3. Prizing is governed by the Contest Rules.
4. Tournament prizes may be found in the relevant Appendix.

3. Team Setup and Communications

1. Invitation

1. Invitation is based on performance during CB season 24.

• The top 4 of each region (ASIA, EU, NA, CN) receive an invite.
• If an invite is declined, the next clan in the regional ranking will receive the invite instead.

2. Teams that accept the invite will register via the WoWs Tournaments website.

2. Team Logos

1. Team Logos are not required, but are highly recommended to aid a team’s visual brand.
2. Logos should be 200x200 pixels with a transparent background in PNG format.
3. For best results, logo elements should be recognizable even when scaled to 80x80. It is also preferable that the logo is easily visible against both light and dark backgrounds, whether by design or by submitting two versions.
4. Team Logos should be considered age-appropriate. This is PG-13 or PEGI 12.
5. Logos should not contain inappropriate symbols, logos, or images. (if 3.2.4 wasn’t clear)
6. Wargaming and the WM team reserve the right to reject any and all logos as needed.
7. Team logos will be edited as necessary to fit above rules if a solution is not found.
8. Team logos should not contain content that is copyrighted or belongs to another game’s IP.

3. Communications

1. All teams must have one rep available on the Warship Masters discord on match days.
2. All team representatives must be able to communicate in English.
3. Team members are encouraged to join the Warship Masters discord. Player roles are assigned if the team members named themselves correctly.
4. Members of the Warship Masters discord are not allowed to ping WG Staff and should only contact WG Staff if directed to by a tournament staff member.

4. Press Accounts

1. Every player will receive a press account for mandatory use during this tournament.
2. Following rules while using a press account apply:

• Players may not play any games outside of the training room.
• Players may not rename the account.
• Players may not create or join a clan.
• Players may not share the account credentials.

3. Breaking any rules related to press accounts will result in exclusion of the tournament and may result in additional actions against a player's main account.

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4. Tournament

1. General

1. The tournament is conducted using Training Rooms.
2. Each game is hosted by a Referee.
3. Teams are allowed to change their ship lineup between games, but cannot change them during a restart.
4. Teams should not be readied up until both teams are fully sorted onto their sides.
5. If teams are short a player, they can bring a maximum of 1 bot player. The bot player must be set to high intelligence.
6. Teams cannot play with less than 4 players and will be considered as no-show if they cannot field a team within the allowed time.
7. Spectator mode will be enabled, but only official streamers, tournament staff, or designated WG staff may occupy spectator places.
8. Teams exceeding the limit of 100 points will receive a map loss.
9. Should a game end in a draw, teams will both be awarded a win (1-1) and the series will become a best of 5 (7 if Grand Final). In the event of a second draw, each team will choose a champion to send forth in a glorious 1v1 fight to the death on the Ocean map.
10. Both teams are required to submit a replay after each game.

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2. Maps: The Pick/Ban System

1. All matches designated will choose maps via pick/bans, using the WoWs Tournaments website.
2. Pick/ban process is as follows for a best-of-three:

1. Team 1 bans a map.
2. Team 2 bans a map. It can be the same map as Team 1.
3. Team 1 chooses an unbanned map to play for game 1.
4. Team 2 chooses their spawn for game 1.
5. Team 2 chooses an unbanned map to play for game 2.
6. Team 1 chooses their spawn for game 2.
7. The website will assign an unplayed and unbanned map for game 3.
8. The website will assign random spawns.

3. For a best-of-5, the pick ban format will be as follows:

1. Team 1 will ban a map.
2. Team 2 will ban a map. It can be the same map as Team 1.
3. Team 1 chooses an unbanned map to play for game 1.
4. Team 2 chooses their spawn for game 1.
5. Team 2 chooses an unbanned map to play for game 2.
6. Team 1 chooses their spawn for game 2.
7. Team 1 chooses an unbanned map to play for game 3.
8. Team 2 chooses their spawn for game 3.
9. Team 2 chooses an unbanned map to play for game 4.
10. Team 1 chooses their spawn for game 4.
11. The website will assign an unplayed and unbanned map for game 5.
12. The website will assign random spawns.

5. General Rules

1. Disputes and Restarts

1. After 5 minutes from the scheduled start times, if teams are not into their battles, both of them forfeit the map. If one team is available but the other is not, the present team will receive a win.
2. A restart may be requested if:

• A player fails to load/disconnects.
• The spawns/room settings are incorrect.
• There are bugged spawns.

3. Only 1 restart is allowed per team per series. Further restarts can occur at organizer discretion in the event of training room issues. 
4. Teams should not be readied up until both teams are fully sorted onto their sides.
5. In the event of a restart, please notify the other team in game that you are calling a restart and leave the game immediately. Afterwards immediately contact the assigned referee to your game by pinging in Discord or joining the referee voice channel. Do not wait for the referee to confirm the restart - leave the match immediately.
6. An additional restart can be granted on a case-by-case basis.
7. Restarts requested by tournament staff, Battle Faults, do not count against a team’s limit.
8. During a restart, teams may not change their ship lineup. They can change players if someone cannot reconnect, but not ships.
9. In the event of an illegal restart, the teams that called the restart will forfeit the map.

                Some examples of an illegal restart includes but are not limited to:

• Failure to contact the assigned referee about the restart will result in an illegal restart.
• Failure to leave the match after calling a restart will result in an illegal restart.
• Calling a restart after two minutes have passed in game will result in an illegal restart.

10. In the spirit of competition, we trust team reps to do a reasonable job of when and when not to allow exceptions, though we request that teams not fall too far behind schedule.

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2. Broadcasts

It is the goal of the WM Organizers to have as many games streamed as possible.

11. All official streams will be coordinated by the Tournament Staff.
12. All streamers will load into the battle in spectator mode.
13. The start of some battles may be held to allow streamers to finish a prior battle. Teams will be informed by a referee if this is the case.
14. Attempts will be made so that no streamer is streaming their clanmates.
15. We trust streamers not to pass along information that may skew results. If irrefutable evidence of this is found, said streamer will be banned permanently from all WG official tournament events and a temporary ban will be issued for any player who acted on any such information.
16. Teams may not refuse or attempt to refuse having their matches broadcast, violations may lead to disqualification.

3. Rules for Official Streamers

1. Streamers wanting to broadcast any part of the tournament are required to obtain the Streamer role on the Warship Masters discord and register for each game day they are planning to broadcast.
2. All official streams will have a minimum five-minute delay.
3. Streamers are required to enable VODs during casting.
4. Streamers are required to report on their streaming stats and to link the respective VOD and/or other video upload (ex. YouTube).
5. Streamers are required to use the official tournament stream overlays. Overlays should be installed as soon as possible once they are made available and all technical issues should be addressed before the start of the event.
6. Streamers are required to use the official tournament mod settings.
7. Streamers are required to use a non-rotating minimap with ship names enabled.
8. Streamers are not to have facecams during games themselves. Facecams in intermissions are preferred.
9. Streamers should maintain appropriate respect for all participants, tournament staff, and viewers while streaming the event. Part of this is being on time, others are waiting for you, respect their time.
10. Streamers should maintain neutrality in their coverage of the game and not overtly support one team or another and should broadcast both teams' perspective in the battle.
11. While on stream, Streamers must maintain a professional image and should not directly criticize participants, tournament staff, or Wargaming. Gameplay commentary is fine, but should maintain a professional tone.
12. Streamers shall avoid any conduct that would violate the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) or any similar laws in other jurisdictions.
13. Streamers may not stream battles involving a team containing members of a clan or community they are a member of or were a member of in the 3 months preceding the tournament, unless they receive approval from the enemy team or tournament staff.
14. Individuals or accounts that are barred from playing in the Warship Masters are similarly barred from being official streamers.
15. Streamers may not have on-screen and/or audio based alerts (followers, subscribers, bits, donations etc.) enabled for the duration of the tournament cast.
16. Streamers may not at any time during an official WG Tournament broadcast promote or advertise any third-party games or products without prior approval from Wargaming staff.

• Please note that this is not related to twitch ads, or platform ads in general. This is specifically targeted towards the direct advertisements of third party sponsors that do not sponsor the tournament. If you have any questions please contact WG staff.

17. Streamers that do not follow the official Content Creator Guidelines may be barred from streaming official WG Tournaments. This includes any kind of co-casting.

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4. Sportsmanship 

1. All players must adhere to the Global Player Guidelines.
2. Treat your opponents with respect. We expect all teams to play seriously, no matter the opponent. Soft-playing or throwing will be treated as unsportsmanlike play and sanctioned if necessary.
3. We have no desire to punish or disqualify teams unless absolutely necessary. If it is possible to settle disputes without resorting to a formal complaint, we encourage all teams to do so. Those that insist on applying the strict letter of the rules to their opponent will be held to the same standard.
4. Delaying games unnecessarily is a rules violation and can be punished with a default loss. If you are having technical issues, let your referee and opponent know in good time.
5. All World of Warships Game Rules apply to any battles played in the tournament.
6. Players or clans sanctioned under rules in this document or that have been sanctioned by Wargaming for rule violations in game may be excluded from future iterations at the discretion of the tournament owner.

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5. Rules for Tournament Staff

1. Definitions

• For purposes of this section, “tournament staff” or “staff” includes all organizers and referees.
• For purposes of this section, “adjudication” means the act of ruling on a dispute between parties and/or the enforcement of a tournament rule. It does not include purely administrative tasks such as score entry or streamer management.

2. Staff may not engage in adjudication in any matches involving a team representing their own clan or community OR a team made up of more than 7 members from their clan or community. Similarly, staff may not be assigned to referee a match or group in which such a team is participating. 
3. Individuals registered as Tournament Staff or involved in tournament organization are prohibited from being rostered with any participating team in this tournament.
4. Thereby Individuals defined under 5.53, Tournament Staff, are prohibited from participating in this tournament.

6. Rule Changes

1. The tournament organizer reserves the right to change and update the tournament rules at any time.
2. Participants will be notified of any rule changes after the start of the tournament on the tournament discord server.
3. By continuing to participate in the tournament after the changes have been announced, you agree to follow any changed rules.

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6. Glossary

7. Appendices

1. Appendix A: List of Prohibited Ships

The following ships are banned from play:

2. Appendix B: Map Spawn Locations

3. Appendix C: Prizes

Eligible winners will receive the following cash prize payout based on their team’s final standing, divided by the amount of team members in their roster:

Teams will receive in-game prizes, distributed per-player, based on their team’s final standing. Prize pool here.