Summary of Changes December 1, 2020

Tournament tier table - Updated with new programs.

Symbol table

• {i} intellect
• {r} resource point
• {h} life points
• {p} power
• {d} defense value

Tournament tier table

1.1 Correction

An informal warning for an error that has occurred. Usually very minor and easily fixed, this is not recorded in the system. A Correction may be upgraded into a Warning at a Judge’s discretion.

1.2 Warning

A formal warning for an error that has occurred. Warnings are recorded in the system for the current tournament to keep track of which errors each player has incurred. Multiple instances of the warning for the same or similar reasons may result in an upgrade to a harsher penalty.

1.3 Intellect Penalty - Minor (IP2) / Major (IP5)

An Intellect Penalty (IP) is used when a penalty is to be implemented but a game loss penalty would be too harsh. This is particularly relevant when the match structure is best of 1.

An Intellect Penalty is an invisible game effect that gives the penalized player’s hero -1{i} for 2 or 5 turns. At the end of the penalized player’s turn, when the player would draw up to their hero’s intellect, they draw one less card due to the penalty, then the turn cycle number of the penalty is reduced by 1.

For the sake of visualizing an intellect penalty, it can be considered a token outside the game with the following effect:

IP Penalty

IP Penalty starts with X turn counters on it, where X is the penalty issued. (IP2 or IP5).

Your hero has -1{i} for as long as there is a turn counter on IP Penalty.

When your turn ends (after you have drawn cards up to your hero’s intellect), remove a turn counter from IP Penalty.

If a player receives an IP penalty while currently subject to an IP penalty, the new IP penalty will be added to the current number of turns of the existing penalty. It will not stack as to create a lower hero intellect (e.g. two IP penalties will not cause a hero to have -2{i}.)

An intellect penalty can be issued for either 2 or 5 turns, being a minor or major infraction. Variations to this are not recommended.

Players are recommended to put a dice on top of their deck to keep track of how many turns of the IP penalty remain.

If an IP penalty is issued to a player before a game begins, the number of cards that player starts the game with in their hand, will be affected by the IP penalty.

1.4 Game Loss

A game loss is a penalty that ends the current game and the person with the infraction losses the game. If they are between a game or match, the player will receive the game loss on their next game. If a player receives a game loss in a best of 1, they will lose the match.

1.5 Match Loss

A match loss is a penalty that ends the current match and the person with the infraction losses the match regardless of the current game score. If a match loss is given between rounds, the player will receive a match loss on their next round.

1.6 Disqualification

A disqualification is a penalty that results in the player being removed entirely from the tournament. A disqualification is the harshest penalty and the player will be required to write a statement which will be later reviewed by LSS for potential further infractions (such as suspension, or in rare cases, a permanent ban).

2.1 Missed trigger

A missed trigger occurs when an ability that was supposed to become a layer on the chain (and resolve) is forgotten about and the game state has moved past the point where the trigger was supposed to happen.

A trigger is an ability that becomes a layer on the chain and can be responded to. This is different from a static ability.

• The on-hit effect of Snatch is an example of a triggered ability.
• The +2{p} and go again effect on Rising Knee Thrust is a static ability.

A trigger is considered missed when, at the point the trigger becomes relevant, the player who controls the trigger does not acknowledge the trigger. The point at which the trigger must be acknowledged is different for different triggers.

Examples:

• Snatch’s hit trigger must be announced at the time it hits and before any other action happens after.
• Bittering Thorn’s hit trigger must be acknowledged before the next action does damage and hence the +1{p} bonus becomes relevant.
• Spinal Crush’s effect must be announced before the crushed player takes an action which would dictate go again was not lost.

Missed Trigger - Detrimental Effect

Detrimental effects are triggers that cause an effect that is detrimental or partially detrimental to the player. Detrimental effects include (but not limited to) loss of life, discarding cards, destroying cards of your own.

Missed Detrimental Triggers are considered a Games Rule Violation - see section 2.4 Games Rule Violation.

Examples:

• A player plays an attack action card while a Quicken aura token is in the arena and does not destroy the Quicken token.
• A player defends with an equipment with Battleworn and forgets to put a -1{d} counter on it when the combat chain closes.
• A player defends with Blade Break and forgets to destroy it when the combat chain closes.

Recommended penalty:

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - Warning

Missed Trigger - Beneficial Effect
Beneficial effects are triggers that cause an effect that is only beneficial to a player. Beneficial effects include (but are not limited to) gaining life, gaining resources, drawing cards, creating tokens and increases to power.

Examples:

• A player hits with Snatch and forgets to draw a card.
• A player plays Flock of the Feather Walker and forgets to create a Quicken aura token.

Recommended penalty:

There is no penalty for missing a beneficial trigger. However, if enough actions have passed since the trigger was supposed to happen, the trigger is considered missed. In the event of a missed trigger, the opponent is allowed the choice if they want that trigger to happen or not.

While there is no penalty for a missed beneficial trigger, you cannot intentionally miss a beneficial trigger. Eg. intentionally failing to gain 1{h} from the on-hit effect of Life for a Life in order to allow you to defend with Arcanite Skullcap on your opponent's next turn.

Example:

• Player A hits with Snatch and forgets to draw a card, then plays the last card out of his hand; Sigil of Solace. After resolving Sigil of Solace, both players realize Player A has forgotten to draw a card from Snatch. Player B now chooses if Player A draws the card.

However, if a full turn cycle has passed, the trigger is considered missed completely and the opponent will not have a choice to add it as a layer on the chain.

Example:

• Player A hits with Snatch and forgets to draw a card, then plays the last card out of his hand; Sigil of Solace. Player A then draws up to their hero’s intellect. During Player B’s turn, they realize Player A has forgotten to draw a card from Snatch. The trigger is considered missed.

2.2 Looking at extra cards

A player has seen extra cards that they were not entitled to see (but have yet to reach a hidden zone).

Examples:

• A player sees extra cards while drawing or looking at cards from their deck.
• A player accidentally revealed cards from their opponent deck while shuffling their deck.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Caution
• Professional - Warning

Casual and Professional fix

If this happens while the contents of the deck is not fully randomized (i.e. in the middle of the game when there are known pitched cards at the bottom of the deck), the extra card is revealed to both players and the opponent chooses if the card goes back to the top or bottom of the deck.

If this occurs while the contents of the deck are completely random (i.e., while shuffling up for start of game) the revealed card is to be shuffled back into the deck and play continues.

If a player uses this penalty intentionally to gain an advantage or to stall the game, it is considered Unsporting Conduct - Cheating and the penalty would be treated accordingly.

2.3 Hidden card error - Drawing extra cards

A player has drawn extra cards and they have touched a hidden zone; therefore, it is not possible to 100% distinguish which card or cards were the extra cards drawn.

Examples:

• A player draws to their intellect of 4 at the end of turn but accidentally draws up to 5 cards.
• A player hits with Snatch and draws 2 cards as the card sleeves were stuck together. The cards touch the player’s hand.

Recommended penalty

• Casual – Warning
• Professional - Warning / IP2

Casual fix

The player shuffles their hand and a random card for each extra card drawn is revealed from their hand. The cards revealed this way are banished face down. Play continues and the appropriate penalties are applied. For repeated instances of this infraction, a penalty upgrade may apply.

Professional fix

The player reveals their hand and the opponent picks a card for each extra card drawn to be revealed and banished face down. Play continues and the appropriate penalties are applied. If the player is deemed to have gained a considerable advantage or it’s a repeated incident, an IP2 is recommended.

2.4 Games Rule Violation

A player has made a play that is illegal and in violation of the game rules.

Examples:

• Player A pitches Leg Tap to attack with Harmonized Kodachi then proceeds to play a Surging Strike. After Surging Strike is defended, players realize Harmonized Kodachi did not have go again.
• Player A plays Potion of Strength, then activates it and plays Wrecker Romp.
• You have 1 card intimidated and forget to add it back to your hand at the end of turn. You play your next turn as if the card did not exist then draw to your hero’s intellect at end of turn. You then realize a card is set aside that was intimidated on a previous turn.
• Player A attacks with a card that has dominate and player B defends with a single card from hand. In the reaction window, Player A plays Pummel, then player B responds with Unmovable from hand. Players then move to the next phase.
• Player A pitches Enlightened Strike and attacks with Romping Club without having the correct amount of resources to pay for Romping Club’s attack.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - Warning / IP2

Casual Fix

If it has been caught immediately, the game state is reversed to the time it was last legal and play continues. The player who committed the infraction is given a Warning.

If it has been less than a turn cycle, the player who did not commit the infraction is asked if they would like the game state to be reversed to the time it was last legal. If they do not, play will continue from the point the Judge was called. The player who committed the infraction is given a Warning for Games Rule Violation. Their opponent is given a Warning for Failure to maintain game state.

If it has been more than a turn cycle, the Judge should review the game state and decide whether it has progressed too far to be reversed. In most cases, too much will have happened in the interim and the Judge will advise that the game should continue from its current state. If it is reversible, the player who did not commit the infraction is given the option of reversing the game state to the time it was last legal. If they decline this option, play will continue from the point where the Judge was called. The player who committed the infraction is given a Warning for Games Rule Violation. Their opponent is given a Warning for Failure to maintain game state.

Professional Fix

If it has been caught immediately, the game state is reversed to the time it was last legal and play continues. The player who committed the infraction is given a Warning.

If it has been less than a turn cycle, the player who did not commit the infraction is asked if they would like the game state to be reversed to the time it was last legal. If they do not, play will continue from the point the Judge was called. The player who committed the infraction is given a Warning for Games Rule Violation. Their opponent is given a Warning for Failure to maintain game state.

If it has been more than a turn cycle, the Judge should review the game state and decide whether it has progressed too far to be reversed. In most cases, too much will have happened in the interim and the Judge will advise that the game should continue from its current state. If it is reversible, the player who did not commit the infraction is given the option of reversing the game state to the time it was last legal. If they decline this option, play will continue from the point where the Judge was called. The player who committed the infraction is given a Warning for Games Rule Violation. Their opponent is given a Warning for Failure to maintain game state.

If the player who committed the infraction is deemed to have gained a considerable advantage, it is recommended to upgrade this penalty to an IP2.

2.5 Failure to maintain game state

A player (or both players) are playing with an incorrect game state. Not being aware of an opponent’s game rule violation is a failure to maintain game state.

Examples:

• Opponent defends with Remembrance and both players are unaware that this is not allowed until two attacks later.
• A player forgets to reveal the card that they searched for with Show Time! It is not noticed until the next turn.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - Warning

Casual/Professional Fix

The procedure for fixing this is the same as Game Rule Violation. The game state will be fixed as long as not too much has happened since the violation. In instances that this is caught by a player relatively quickly, only the player who did not correct the game state will get a warning for failure to maintain game state.

3.1 Tardiness

A player is not seated at their table once the round starts.

Examples:

• A player arrives at their seat 5 minutes after the round starts.
• A player sits down at the wrong table and does not realize until after they start playing with the incorrect opponent.
• A player plays a whole match with the incorrect opponent.
• A player loses cards in their deck and cannot find replacement cards within 10 minutes.

Recommended penalty

• Casual
  • Best of 1 match - IP5 (3 mins after round timer starts), Match Loss (10 mins)
  • Best of 3 match - Game Loss (3 mins), Match Loss (10 mins)
• Professional
  • Best of 1 match - IP5 (0 mins after round time starts), Match Loss (10 mins)
  • Best of 3 match - Game Loss (0 mins), Match Loss (10 mins)

Casual and Professional Fix

A player is considered tardy when the amount of time since the round timer starts has surpassed the threshold for the tournament.

The thresholds recommended for IP5 / Game Loss / Match Loss penalties are provided above.

This can be changed at Tournament Organizers discretion provided it is announced at the start of the tournament. The player present at the table should alert a Judge if their opponent is late or arrives late in order to apply the appropriate penalty. If a Game Loss is issued in a best of 3 match, the player who received the game loss will choose who plays first in the next game (if there is one).

3.2 Outside Assistance

Players may not seek or offer outside assistance from any player, spectator, official or device during a game or match, including referring to personal notes made prior to, or during the event. The exception to this is personal notes (but not other forms of outside assistance) may be referred to during the start of game procedure, for example “sideboard guides”. Players may not give advice to players of a match they are a spectator of.

Examples:

• During a game (after the start of game procedure has concluded) you reference notes that were created outside of the match.
• You are communicating with someone outside the game using hand gestures, facial expressions, electronic devices, or other means of communication.
• You walk past a table with a game in progress and you say out loud “Oh, that Crippling Crush is going to devastate him!”

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Game Loss
• Professional - Match Loss

It’s important to take into account intent. If the player did it intentionally, upgrade the penalty, which in some cases would make this infraction fall under Unsporting Conduct - Cheating.

In cases when the comment is harmless or out of ignorance, a downgrade to a warning is recommended, at the Judge’s discretion.

Players and spectators not in the tournament giving outside assistance may be asked to leave the venue if outside assistance is deemed intentional or occurs on multiple instances. Additional penalties such as suspension may be applied if the outside assistance is deemed malicious.

3.3 Slow play

Players are expected to play at a pace sufficient enough to complete the match within the round time limit. Slow play is when a player takes longer than an acceptable period of time to make a decision in order to progress the game state. If a player looks to be taking advantage of the time limit to benefit their current position in a game or match, it’s considered stalling - see section 3.16 Stalling.

Examples:

• A player checking either player’s graveyard multiple times before taking an action.
• A player taking excessive time to shuffle after they search their deck with Show Time!
• A player has one card in their hand and takes an unreasonable amount of time to decide what to do.

Recommended Penalty

• Casual - Caution
• Professional - Warning

If a player is suspected to be playing slowly on purpose, it’s considered Stalling and is recommended that a Judge be alerted as soon as possible. Multiple instances of Slow Play Warnings can be upgraded to a game loss at both levels of play. This is up to the Judge’s discretion and harsher penalties apply if the player has a history of stalling or slow play.

3.4 Decklist error

A player has incorrectly filled out their deck registration or card pool registration sheet (decklist) so that it does not match the cards they intended to play, or needs to be adjusted due to cards being lost during the tournament.

Examples:

• A player has 3 x Snatch (1) on their decklist, but only owns 2 and assumed they would get the third by the time the tournament starts but failed to do so. Now they are only playing with 2 x Snatch (1).
• A player lists 3 x “Pummel” but does not state what the pitch value of the card is, when there are 3 variations of Pummel that it could be.
• A player lists Snapdragon Scalers as one of their equipment, but they have Ironrot Legs in their deck instead.
• A player has 3 Potion of Strength on their decklist, but in their deck they have 3 Timesnap Potion and 0 Potion of Strength.
• A player has Primeval Bellow on their decklist, but Awakening Bellow in their deck.
• A player has 1 Harmonized Kodachi on their decklist, but has 2 in their deck.
• A player loses a number of cards in their deck during the event and cannot find replacements.
• A player has only 63 cards on their decklist, 4 of which are equipment cards, making their deck illegal as they can only present 59 main deck cards to their opponent.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - IP2
• Professional - IP2

Since casual tournaments usually do not require decklists, it’s assumed that tournaments run at Casual with decklists are intended to be of a more competitive nature, therefore the penalty for Casual is harsher than it would be otherwise.

If it’s thought there is an advantage gained by a decklist error, the penalty may be upgraded.

If the decklist error is caught before any play has begun, it is recommended that the penalty be downgraded.

If the decklist error is called upon by the player them self, the penalty may be downgraded at the Judge’s discretion.

3.5 Presenting an illegal deck

A player has presented an illegal deck to their opponent at the start of game.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• During a Classic Constructed tournament, a player presents a 58 card deck during the start of game procedure.
• During a Sealed Deck tournament, a player presents a 29 card deck during the start of game procedure.
• During a Classic Constructed tournament, a player presents a 61 card deck to their opponent that includes a card that belongs to an opponent from a previous round.
• During a Classic Constructed tournament, a player presents a 90 card deck during the start of game procedure.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - IP5 (If the error is caught by the player them self, it's recommended the penalty is downgraded to an IP2.) / Match Loss

Casual/Professional Fix

If the deck has less than the minimum number of cards required for that format, the player adds cards until the number of cards in their deck is equal to, but not more than, the minimum number of cards required. They cannot remove or exchange any cards from the presented deck.

If there are illegal cards in the deck, such as cards that are not theirs, these cards are removed. If the deck is then less than the minimum number of cards required for that format, they add cards from the cards they are not using, until the deck contains the minimum number of cards required. If they do not have enough cards available to do so, Cracked Baubles are added to their deck until it contains the minimum number of cards required.

If the deck presented has more than the maximum number of cards that could legally be played in the format (factoring in equipment and weapons used), the player must remove cards from their deck until the total number of weapons, equipment, and cards that can be played in their deck is equal to the maximum number of cards that can be registered for that format. In this instance, the recommended penalty is a match loss.

3.6 Draft procedure violation

A player commits a procedural infringement during a draft.

Examples (minor):

• A player passes a pack the wrong way during the draft.
• A player forgets to count the cards in the pack after picking a card during a professional tournament.

Examples (major):

• A player picks a card and adds it to their pile, then tries to pick it up to change it for another card.
• A player passes a pack with multiple cards rotated in a different direction to other cards in the pack.

Examples (severe):

• A player looks at another person’s pack during the draft in order to try and gain information they should not have.
• A player intentionally puts a Brute card in the front of the pack to signal the next player to go Brute.

Recommended penalty - Minor

• Casual - Caution
• Professional - Warning

Recommended penalty - Major

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - IP2

Recommended penalty - Severe

• Casual - Game Loss
• Professional - DQ

In some cases, it’s important that the Judge does not interrupt the players train of thought as it would slow down and disrupt the draft. The Judge should wait until the current pack, or in some cases, the entire draft is finished before implementing a penalty.

3.7 Marked cards

Players must ensure that all cards and card sleeves in their deck are in good condition and do not have markings or any other features that make them identifiable while face down in a deck. This includes (but is not limited to) scuff marks, nail indents, bent corners, and curvature of the card itself.

Examples:

• A player has 3 cards in their deck with bending that is not uniform with the other cards in the deck. All 3 cards Snatch (1).
• A player has an amount of foil cards in their deck that are noticeably different from the rest of the cards in their deck.
• A player has a deck without sleeves and there is noticeable wear on a number of the cards in the deck. When inspecting it’s noticed that all the cards with wear pitch for {r}{r}{r}.
• A player has an altered art card in their deck that is noticeably thicker than the other cards in the deck, due to paint on the surface of the card.
• A player has a deck of cards with different size sleeves that are easily distinguishable.
• A player has some amount of cards upside down and it is possible to tell the difference between the cards.

Players should check their cards and sleeves after every round and replace any that are considered worn or marked. If a player is unsure if their cards are in acceptable condition, it’s recommended they check with the Head Judge.

Recommended penalty - Minor (no pattern)

• Casual - Caution
• Professional - Warning

Recommended penalty - Major (pattern)

• Casual - Match Loss / DQ
• Professional - DQ

A player may be asked by a Judge to change their sleeves. If they are between games in a match, the Judge may advise for the player to change the sleeves after the round as not to cause delays to the tournament.

3.8 Insufficient shuffling

To ensure fairness, both players decks must be sufficiently randomized prior to beginning the game and after anytime a player looks through the contents of a deck. Insufficient shuffling is when a player fails to sufficiently randomize their deck through shuffling, before presenting it to their opponent.

There are multiple ways to randomize a deck, and it is encouraged that more than one method is used, such as riffle shuffle, overhand shuffle, and pile shuffle with random variation.

Once a deck is presented to the opponent it’s implied that the deck is thoroughly randomized.

Players are expected to shuffle their deck in an efficient manner so that it does not take longer than 30 seconds.

Examples:

• A player finishes their start of game procedure and riffle shuffles his deck a single time and presents it to his opponent.
• A player pile shuffles 1,2,3,4,5 then repeats until all cards are in the 5 piles. This is not considered random. However, 1,2,3,4,5 then 2,5,3,1,4 then 1,3,5,2,4 with random variations until completion is acceptable. (However, this process cannot take an excessive amount of time or it would fall under Slow Play)
• A player sits down and pre-creates sequences on hands they want in their deck then cuts a couple times before presenting the deck to the opponent.

Players are not allowed to presort, arrange the order of cards in their decks, or manipulate the order of cards before or during shuffling. This is considered Unsporting Conduct – Cheating.

Recommended penalty - Minor (no pattern)

• Casual - Caution
• Professional - Warning

Recommended penalty - Major (pattern)

• Casual - DQ
• Professional - DQ

3.9 Improper shuffling

A player has shuffled their deck illegally resulting in pitched cards at the bottom of deck to be randomized into the deck.

Examples include (but are not limited to):

• A player triggers Katsu's hero ability, searching their deck when they were ineligible to do so.
• A player plays Singing Steelblade and searches their deck, when they had no resources available and are unable to generate resources to pay for it.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - IP5

If there are zero known cards at the bottom of the deck, the penalty should be downgraded to a warning. If there is minimal disruption to the order of the deck, for example because their are only 3 known cards on the bottom of the deck, the penalty may be downgraded to IP2.

Casual/Professional Fix

The deck is to be shuffled and penalties are issued.

3.10 Unsporting Conduct

Unsporting conduct is when a player displays negative, offensive, or disruptive behavior that affects the safety or enjoyment of others, and/or the integrity of the event.

The Head Judge determines what constitutes as Unsporting Conduct during their event. Each Head Judge may have a different opinion of what is acceptable, and this could be due to variables such as age demographic at the event, time constraints, venue rules etc.

Judges will inform the player as to why their behavior is unacceptable and the player is expected to remedy it immediately (if possible).

Unsporting Conduct - Minor

A player who does something that disrupts the flow of a tournament or the participants but does not require investigation or further penalties.

Examples:

• A player uses mild-moderate offensive language.
• A player throws their deck in frustration after they have lost a game or match.
• A player does not pick up litter they have created.
• A player shoves other players while moving through crowds.
• A player demands the Head Judge before being given a ruling from a floor Judge.
• A player demands that their opponent be given a warning before a Judge can resolve the issue.
• A player ignores a Judge that ask them to move out of the play area.

Recommended penalty - Minor

• Casual - Warning
• Professional - Warning

Unsporting Conduct - Major

A player who’s actions negatively impact one or more players by making them feel threatened, harassed, scared, belittled or unsafe. This includes communicated (verbal and/or written) harassment and physical harassment towards another person.

Examples:

• A player makes a racial remark towards another person.
• A player uses intimidation tactics to get their way.
• A player harasses another person on social media.
• A player takes photos of another person with malicious intent.
• A player wipes a card on their backside or crotch before playing it.
• A player makes another person feel unwelcome at an event because of their sexual orientation.

Recommended penalty - Major

• Casual - Match Loss/DQ
• Professional - DQ

3.11 Improperly determining a winner

Improperly determining a winner is when players use a method other than playing a game to its conclusion to determine a winner and loser of a game or match. This includes using manipulation to try and trick the opponent into conceding a match.

Examples:

• Time is called in the round so players decide to roll a dice to determine the winner to avoid the match resulting in a draw.
• Trying to see the results of other matches to determine who has the better chance in the future rounds of the tournament.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - DQ
• Professional - DQ

3.12 Bribery

Bribery is when a player offers an incentive to entice their opponent into conceding, or changing the actual outcome of a match result. This also includes accepting such offers.

Examples:

• A player offers their opponent cash to concede.
• A player offers their opponent their eventual prizes to concede.
• A player offers their opponent cards out of their folder for a concession.
• A player offers to concede at a later date for a concession now.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - DQ
• Professional - DQ

At Professional tournaments, it’s recommended that Judges remind players (especially before the last round of swiss) about the Bribery policy to ensure nobody is ignorant of this rule.

Casual fix

If the player is in the middle of a bribery statement but nothing has been agreed upon, this could be downgraded at Head Judge’s discretion if the player is found to be new/ignorant.

3.13 Wagering

Wagering is when a player, spectator, or official of a tournament places or offers bets on the outcome of the tournament, match, or any part of a match result. The wager does not need to be of monetary value, neither is it relevant if the person offering the wager is the one participating in the match being waged on.

Examples:

• Two or more spectators wager $10 that a specific player will win the current match.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - DQ
• Professional - DQ

3.14 Aggressive behavior

Aggressive behavior is when a person makes others around them feel uncomfortable by acting threatening and abusive.

Examples:

• A player threatens physical abuse to another player during a match.
• A player throws their own or another person's belongings.
• A player threatens a Judge when they are not happy with a ruling outcome.
• A player destroys or attempts to damage tournament materials, such as table or chairs.
• A player swears at their opponent during or after a match.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Match Loss / DQ
• Professional - Match Loss / DQ

The penalty should be determined by the Head Judge based on the severity of the incident.

3.15 Theft

A player steals tournament materials from the event, or steals belongings from another player at the event.

Examples:

• A player secretly drops cards from the opponent's deck on the floor and hides them with intent of theft.
• A player steals tablecloths, or table numbers off a table.
• A player is given prizes, then says to tournament officials that they did not receive prizes with the intent of trying to get more.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - DQ
• Professional - DQ

Under rare cases, the penalty may be downgraded if there is miscommunication or ignorance involved and the player returns the item.

3.16 Stalling

Stalling is when a player intentionally slows the pace of a game down to take advantage of the time limit.

Examples:

• A player has a weapon that cost {r}{r} to activate and 1 card in hand with pitch value {r}. They spend an excessive amount of time running down the clock ‘thinking’ about what to do.
• A player is ahead in the game and starts to play significantly slower as it gets closer to the end of the round, making it very hard for the opponent to have a chance of winning.
• A player who repetitively checks either player's graveyard in a single turn without progressing the game with the intention of running down the clock.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - DQ
• Professional - DQ

Stalling is different from Slow Play. Stalling assumes the player is intentionally playing slow to gain an advantage. If it’s deemed the person is not intentionally playing slow, the penalty should be a Slow Play penalty.

3.17 Cheating

A player that intentionally breaks Tournament Rules and Policy or Comprehensive Rules.

Recommended penalty

• Casual - DQ
• Professional – DQ

3.18 Conceding

A player asks for a concession during a match (after presenting their deck). Any kind of pressure or suggestion to concede, such as saying "Come on, man, don't defend my attack here" is considered to be asking for a concession.

In a casual tournament, it is recommended to downgrade the penalty if the player is clearly ignorant or new.

If it is later found during a tournament that asking for a concession has occurred, the penalty would be a match loss in the next/current round if it has not started. (Or in some cases upgraded to Disqualification)

If this is the second time in a tournament a player asks for a concession it is upgraded to a DQ (As ignorance of rules is not a factor)

The current game is to continue as normal. Players who concede a match are to be dropped from the tournament unless Head Judge or Tournament Organizer decides otherwise (i.e genuine reason such as feeling unwell)

Recommended penalty

• Casual - Match Loss next round/DQ
• Professional – Match Loss next round/DQ

Last updated December 1, 2020