| STA TFC 2on2 Rules |
I. Introduction
II. Staff
III. Scheduling
IV. Settings and Servers
V. Matches
VI. Ties And Forfeits
VII. Ringer/Multi-Clanner
VIII. Playing Position and Ranking
IX. Behavior
X. A. Cheating
XI. B. Bugs and Exploits
XII. C. Modified Sprites
XIII. D. Proper Conduct
XIV. E. Administrators
XV. F. Forfeits
XVI. Punishment
XVII. Featured Maps
XVIII. Rule Updates
I. Introduction
The rules stated below were created to set an environment for fair play and fun for all members of the STA TFC 2v2 league. All team players are expected to know and uphold the rules in matches played for this league. While much thought has been put into these rules, and they are designed to be both through and comprehensive, it is not possible to cover all contingencies; as such, the STA admins reserve the right to make individual rulings on a case-by-case basis.
II. Staff
All members of STA clans must treat the STA staff with respect, regardless of their position on staff or their personal beliefs. You are required to treat them courteously in all forms of communication, whether that is in IRC, e-mail, or on a public forum.
If you have a personal concern or problem with a particular admin, send an e-mail to SeXyBW, and she will get back to you.
III. Scheduling
Clans play on Wednesday night 9:30pm EST. Two(2) rounds of 15 minutes (plus prematch) will be played. Clans may reschedule the time and day if both agree. Rescheduled games MUST be played on or before the scheduled day of Wednesday at 9:30pm EST.
Clans are scheduled based on the following factors:
· Current win/loss streak.
· Current rank (win/loss record).
· Previous opponents. The STA 2v2 will endeavor to schedule opposing clans that have not played in the previous five weeks. While this is not ALWAYS possible, if there is an alternative opponent, the match up will be made with the alternate.
· Title and Title Shot matches are based on current winning streaks, and prior incidents of title shots.
Rescheduling:
· When rescheduling you must give the opponent and a STA 2v2 Admin a request at least 3 days before the match.
· If your opponent wants to reschedule, attempt to contact your members if it is possible for another day.
· Be courteous to each other on the rescheduling and don't make it an issue.
IV. Settings and Servers
A. Settings
Each clan will have a choice to play on their server for each round. For Sudden Death the clan that is higher ranked will have their choice of server. The higher ranked clan may choose which round to use their server for the regular match rounds (not overtime rounds). Visiting clan may have the team color choice. Servers must be in the continental United States or Canada unless both clans agree to a foreign server.
All servers must have the correct map version. The definition of "correct map version" is: the map located on the STA 2v2 files page and any corresponding entity update also located on the files page. Any version of the default map not updated with the entities located on the STA 2v2 file page is NOT the correct map version.
Servers must have logging turned on, and upon request by an STA 2v2 admin, those logs must be released within 24 hours. Failure to release logs in the event of a dispute may result in a forfeit occurring.
Use of the STA server configuration file is mandatory. All STA 2v2 Config Settings can be changed if both clans agree to the changes. Any settings NOT covered in the config should be set to the half-life server defaults unless both clans agree to change the settings. If any of the settings are not correct, the opposing clan may refuse to play the round on that server. Failure to correct the problem(s) within 5 minutes of the start of the round will result in a disqualification for the transgressing clan. In the event of a dispute, the STA 2v2 has final authority. If the match has been played, no dispute based on server settings or conditions will be considered unless the server settings are changed after the beginning of the round. It is the visiting clan's responsibility to make sure that the server they are playing on is correctly configured, is being monitored by HLTV, has sufficient bandwidth, etc.
If server settings are found to have changed from the STA2on2.CFG after the start of the round, the clan that changed the setting will forfeit that round. The scores from the remaining legitimate round will be doubled for the team that did not change the setting.
The use of Adminmod/HLGuard should ONLY be used to change maps and exec the cfg. Adminmod/hlguard should not be set to kick anyone or restrict useage of anything that is legal for play in STA 2v2. The 5 minute rule DOES cover HLGuard/Adminmod. In the event that adminmod is used in an unfair way, such as shortening the timelimit, a dispute can be filed.
B. Servers
Please note: Servers must be able to reasonably handle the bandwidth and CPU load of a full 6 player game. STA 2v2 has the final authority in determining what is or is not reasonable. If you have a chronically bad server that receives multiple complaints you may be asked to find a different server for official STA 2v2 matches.
Cable servers are under no circumstances allowed. Very rarely DSL servers will be allowed. If the opposing team has a T1 or better, the DSL server will not be used. Both rounds will be played on the better server.
Server must be a dedicated server. Listen servers are not acceptable.
The use of cl_lw or cl_lc with any value other than 1 is prohibited from STA. Any player doing so will be subject to a suspension.
V. Matches
A. Agreements Between Clans
Agreements made between clan contacts listed on the STA 2v2 clan contacts page are binding to both teams in all instances. These agreements can supercede standard STA rules, with the exception of the rules in the paragraph headed "Cheating". Also, these agreements may not allow any person banned in STA to participate in a match.
These agreements may not be changed after being made except with the consent of the contacts of both clans.
In the event that an agreement is disputed, IRC or server logs will be requested and it is recommended that these agreements be made in the clan(s) public channels so that these logs can be verified.
B. Pre Match
Clans have 15 minutes after the default time, or the mutually agreed to time, to join the server. Failure to comply will cost that clan a forfeit. Under extraordinary circumstances, such as connection problems for a majority of members, the STA 2v2 may allow an exception. All clans are expected to be ready to play at the default time.
Clans MUST send 1 representative, 15 minutes before match time, wearing your clan tag on his/her name, to #sta-tfc2v2 on gamesnet.net to avoid disagreements and potential problems. Failure to have a representative in #sta-tfc2v2 should a problem arise will result in a warning from the STA 2v2 Admins. Should this policy be violated a second time, you will be removed from the league. Clans are encouraged to contact their opponent a couple days before the match to discuss servers, passwords and other settings. Waiting until the last minute is not advisable to have a smooth evening with your match.
In maps where you may leave your respawn during prematch, you may NOT leave your base. Attacking enemy players, dropping detpacks, spamming the enemy respawn as prematch ends, caltropping entrances, and other inappropriate behavior will be grounds for an immediate forfeit. The building of sentry guns and dispensers during prematch is also prohibited and is a forfeitable offense.
The ONLY alogs can be verified.
B. Pre Match
Clans have 15 minutes after the default time, or the mutually agreed to time, to join the server. Failure to comply will cost that clan a forfeit. Under extraordinary circumstances, such as connection problems for a majority of members, the STA 2v2 may allow an exception. All clans are expected to be ready to play at the default time.
Clans MUST send 1 representative, 15 minutes before match time, wearing your clan tag on his/her name, to #sta-tfc2v2 on gamesnet.net to avoid disagreements and potential problems. Failure to have a representative in #sta-tfc2v2 should a problem arise will result in a warning from the STA 2v2 Admins. Should this policy be violated a second time, you will be removed from the league. Clans are encouraged to contact their opponent a couple days before the match to discuss servers, passwords and other settings. Waiting until the last minute is not advisable to have a smooth evening with your match.
In maps where you may leave your respawn during prematch, you may NOT leave your base. Attacking enemy players, dropping detpacks, spamming the enemy respawn as prematch ends, caltropping entrances, and other inappropriate behavior will be grounds for an immediate forfeit. The building of sentry guns and dispensers during prematch is also prohibited and is a forfeitable offense.
The ONLY action that affects the match that you can take during prematch is positioning yourself so that at the end of prematch your bag will be dropped in a strategic location. Any other action that affects the match if done during prematch is prohibited.
C. Match
Matches will consist of two(2) rounds of 15 minutes. Game format will be Offense vs Defense. This allows each team play both sides once.
Only leaders and refs are allowed to use mm1 during a match. Excessive mm1 spamming may result in a disqualification. Proof in the form of a server log, or a demo, must be provided to an STA 2v2 official.
Elevators: Preventing an elevator from working properly is NOT allowed. Elevators must be allowed to operate in a normal fashion. Blocking any elevator (preventing it from operating correctly) with ALMOST ANY object (including but not limited to sentry guns, pipes, detpacks and dispensers) is grounds for a forfeit loss. Obviously, placing pipes on an elevator is legal as long as those pipes do not prevent the elevator from operating correctly. There is one exception to this rule; using a person to hold an elevator is acceptable.
If a server crashes unintentionally before the 5 min mark (not including prematch), then the visiting clan has the option to restart that round, or to add the remaining time to the next round. If the latter option is chosen, any capction that affects the match that you can take during prematch is positioning yourself so that at the end of prematch your bag will be dropped in a strategic location. Any other action that affects the match if done during prematch is prohibited.
C. Match
Matches will consist of two(2) rounds of 15 minutes. Game format will be Offense vs Defense. This allows each team play both sides once.
Only leaders and refs are allowed to use mm1 during a match. Excessive mm1 spamming may result in a disqualification. Proof in the form of a server log, or a demo, must be provided to an STA 2v2 official.
Elevators: Preventing an elevator from working properly is NOT allowed. Elevators must be allowed to operate in a normal fashion. Blocking any elevator (preventing it from operating correctly) with ALMOST ANY object (including but not limited to sentry guns, pipes, detpacks and dispensers) is grounds for a forfeit loss. Obviously, placing pipes on an elevator is legal as long as those pipes do not prevent the elevator from operating correctly. There is one exception to this rule; using a person to hold an elevator is acceptable.
If a server crashes unintentionally before the 5 min mark (not including prematch), then the visiting clan has the option to restart that round, or to add the remaining time to the next round. If the latter option is chosen, any captures up to that point will be counted. If a server crashes unintentionally, and the match has proceeded for at least 5 minutes (not including prematch) then the visiting clan has the option to add on the lost minutes to next round (if there is one), or replay the lost time. The caps score to that point stands. Clans are encouraged to find a mutually acceptable solution. Please do not leave the server without speaking with the other team. Communicating is vital to solve problems. If none can be reached, an STA 2v2 official will issue a ruling.
Either participating clan may refuse to start the match until no later than 15 minutes after game time. At this time the match starts, or the refusing clan forfeits.
Should a match have already begun and the visiting clan recognizes that there is a problem with any server setting, whether it be fraglimit, teamplay, floodprot, watervis, etc. the visiting clan has the option of restarting the match up to the 5 minute point (i.e. prematch + 5 minutes). After this time, the round is considered legal. Should a visiting clan notice before the 5 minute mark that there is something amiss, they still may wait until the 5 minute point to decide whether to restart the match. Should the visiting clan decide to restart, the server must be reset to STA 2v2 defaults and the match restarted at time zero. The scores from the aborted round are not countetures up to that point will be counted. If a server crashes unintentionally, and the match has proceeded for at least 5 minutes (not including prematch) then the visiting clan has the option to add on the lost minutes to next round (if there is one), or replay the lost time. The caps score to that point stands. Clans are encouraged to find a mutually acceptable solution. Please do not leave the server without speaking with the other team. Communicating is vital to solve problems. If none can be reached, an STA 2v2 official will issue a ruling.
Either participating clan may refuse to start the match until no later than 15 minutes after game time. At this time the match starts, or the refusing clan forfeits.
Should a match have already begun and the visiting clan recognizes that there is a problem with any server setting, whether it be fraglimit, teamplay, floodprot, watervis, etc. the visiting clan has the option of restarting the match up to the 5 minute point (i.e. prematch + 5 minutes). After this time, the round is considered legal. Should a visiting clan notice before the 5 minute mark that there is something amiss, they still may wait until the 5 minute point to decide whether to restart the match. Should the visiting clan decide to restart, the server must be reset to STA 2v2 defaults and the match restarted at time zero. The scores from the aborted round are not counted. Should a server variable be found to be incorrect after the match, or after the 5 minute time has expired, clans may NOT bring their cases to their STA 2v2 division admin. Please do yourself a favor. Use the STA TFC2on2.cfg found on the files page!! That way there will be no doubt as to whether it is correct.
D. Post Match
After the first round is completed, clans should take a 5-10 min break and head back to irc. Clan leaders should meet in #sta-tfc2v2 if needed, to get server info and other settings.
After the match is done, the winning clan goes to the STA 2v2 scores page to fill out the match form. All results must be turned in at the latest on Thursday 12:00p.m. EST (noon). Failure to do so will negate the match results and both teams will receive a technical forfeit which has no bearing on your record. It's as if that week didn't happen. To report a forfeit win, do not enter any scores, but instead add to the comments that the opposing clan forfeited.
If there were any problems, taking screenshots, demos, and/or providing console logs will help the STA 2v2 arbitrate the matter in a fair and prompt manner.
VI. Ties And Forfeits
A. Ties
In the case of a tie (when the total of the 2 rounds for each clan are equal) 2 10 minute + prematch rounds will be played with each team having the chance to play offense and defense. This will continue until one clan outscores the other.
B. Forfeits
If a clan does not show up with the required 2 members to play, they have 15 minutes to do so before they forfeit the match. If only one clan is present at an agreed-upon match time or on the default night at match time, it will also be considered a forfeit for the clan that is not present.
VII. Ringer/Multi-Clanner
The STA will not tolerate ringers or multi-clanners.
The STA definition of a ringer is as follows: Any person playing for a clan they are not currently a member or recruit of.
The STA definition of a multi-clanner is as follows: Any player currently participating in more than one STA 2v2 clan. You are only allowed to be on the roster for 1 STA 2v2 clan. No exceptions.
Punishment for the first offense will be forfeiture of all matches during the timeline in which the ringer/multi-clanners played and a 2 week suspension from the STA 2v2 match play. Second offense may result in expulsion from the STA 2v2 league. The STA 2v2 council may make exceptions to this rule on a case by case basis.
Each clan must keep an "official" up to date roster on the STA 2v2 website. New members can only be added up to 24 hours before a match. The rosters are closed on Wednesdays and Thrusdays.
The roster rule is designed to prevent ringing. In the event that a player is found to have played yet is not on the roster, we will make a determination whether or not that player is a ringer using any means available, including other league roster systems. This rule is NOT designed so that a team may get a forfeit win merely because a clan forgot to update their STA 2v2 roster. HOWEVER, any clan abusing our leniency on their inability to properly maintain their own roster WILL be issued a strike, or punished more severely should the situation dictate it.
VIII. Playing Position and Ranking
A. Offense verses Defense
1. Rights of AWAY Team
Picks who plays Offense and Defense first.
2. Rights of HOME Team
Picks server to be used 1st. (If 1 clan does not have a server, they use the other clan's.)
B. Movement to other divisions
The STA encourages clans to strive to reach the next level. Consistent practice and devotion to the game can produce tremendous results. Therefore, division assignments are not static. Clans may move to a new division based on certain factors listed below. If a clan changes division, it keeps its win/loss record for STA 2v2, but has a separate record for the new division.
Movement to a higher division: By winning the title for the division OR attaining a +8 +/- for the current division requires the clan a move up to a higher division.
Movement to a lower division: A clan may ask to be moved to a lower division. The STA 2v2 admins will consider the request and, for the most part, the request will be granted. 2 games will be required to be played in the new division before a move request is considered.
To ensure that the divisions are balanced, when a clan retires from competition or moves up/down from one division to another, the title holder from the lower division will be invited to replace them. If the title holder declines the invitation, the next ranked clan will be invited in their place. If there is no title holder currently from the lower division, then the next title match will not only determine the title holder but also who will move up to the upper division.
Administrators from time to time will move clans from one division to another to balance the divisions. These movements will be based upon their STA 2v2 record (i.e. division ranking, win streak, overall record, etc.). Clan representatives will be contacted of the move and must agree/disagree to the changes before it is made official. While these changes are sometimes necessary, the STA 2v2 will strive to make these types of movements to a minimum and will only be announced with at least 10 days notice. Included in this notice will outline what divisions are affected and how many clans will be affected in each division (i.e. how many are moving up from division 1 to division 2, etc.).
IX. Behavior
Any behavior including nuking, IRC channel takeovers, spamming, server crashing or any form of cheating is prohibited in STA. STA administrators will have final say on punishment.
X. A. Cheating
If it is found cheating occurs, notify a STA 2v2 official and proper punishment will be decided on. Make sure to have proof. Proof can include Screenshots, demos and/or a server log. Use of any client or opengl hooks or wrappers, as well as any other program which patches memory within Half-Life, is illegal with the exception of the official versions of Sparky Utilities, Nemesis and L0ki's GL utilities. Any modified version of these hooks is illegal, unless the add-on/modification is the addition of a feature found in another legal hook. Any console command or cvar setting used to counteract the concussion effect is illegal, including (but not limited to): force_centerview, fullupdate, cl_pitchup/cl_pitchdown. Note that the use of these commands for reasons other than reducing or eliminating the concussion effect is permitted (for example, in rocket jump scripts). In addition, the following console commands and cvar settings are illegal: cl_lw 0, cl_lc 0, timerefresh, cl_waterdist.
XI. B. Bugs and Exploits
Map Exploits/Bugs - Any act to change the structure and/or goals of a map or the engine of the game are considered illegal for STA match play. Proof can include screenshots and/or demos, if clans are found using them by the STA intentionally they will forfeit the match.
XII. C. Modified Sprites
STA allows any modification to the following sprites: laser dot, rocket trail and rocket flare. Modification of other sprites may be legal, contact a league admin for clarification.
XIII. D. Proper Conduct
Nuking, channel takeovers, spamming, crashing a match server, or any other form of D.o.S. attack will not be tolerated. If a clan continues to be the cause of problems, they will be removed from STA. Adequate proof in the form of screenshots, demos, and server logs must be provided to the STA beication is the addition of a feature found in another legal hook.
XIV. E. Administrators
You and all your clanmates will treat the STA admins with respect at all times. No matter what position they hold, if they are on staff, you will respect them. Whether IRC or the forum, treat them how you would want to be treated if the situations were reversed. The admins have a tough job which they do week in and week out for free. You WILL respect them and their decisions, or will pay a penalty. If you have a concern for an admin(s), email or PM them and they'll get back to you. The STA public channel and forum is not the place.
XV. F. Forfeits
Forfeits effect both records and rankings. We have ZERO tolerance for forfeiting. Forfeiting a match will earn a clan one strike, which will include a suspension of appropriate length depending on how many strikes the clan already has.If both teams in a match forfeit, the match will be declared a technical forfeit and no results will be taken. Depending on the STA 2v2 schedule, these clans may or may not play each other the following week. Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration on a case by case basis.
XVI. Punishment
A. Punishment
Punishment will be handed out on a case by case basis. For major offenses, removal from the league may be in order. The general penalties are as follows:
1. First Strike
You will be suspended from STA 2v2 match play for one week. If the schedule has already been posted, you will serve your suspension the following week so as to not affect game play.
2. Second Strike
You will be suspended from STA 2v2 match play for two weeks. If the schedule has already been posted, you will serve your suspension the following week so as to not affect game play.
3. Third Strike
You will be removed from STA 2v2 for continually being unable to follow the rules given.
XVII. Featured Maps
The maps that were bundled with TFC will be used, along with custom maps. Suggestions for the addition of new maps to be included in match play should be directed to SeXyBW. Maps are chosen based on many things; few chokepoints, bad respawn placement, easy to defend and high r_speeds are all reasons why maps are not considered.
XVIII. Rule Updates
It is your responsibility to periodically check for updates on this page. These rules may be updated or changed to reflect the consensus of the STA 2v2 Council on rulings that may occur in the future. The Co-Admins may act in accordance with the best interests of STA 2v2, even in so much as superceding the rules in place if he feels it necessary.
| Last Updated on June 1, 2006 |
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