Ruleset: Hearthstone Options

[Shadow Reaper]

Overview

Boys! Make some room by the hearth! Hearthstone is the Blizzard-published, Warcraft-universe-inspired trading card game, which is simple to learn, complex to master, and full of the typically comical references from the Warcraft Universe. The aim of a Hearthstone match is to reduce your opponent's 'Hero' to 0 hit-points before they do the same to your hero!

A typical Hearthstone round consists of a best-of-three challenge. The player that can out-wit, out-muscle, or out-gimmick their opponent goes through to the next round, until only the champion is left standing.
Rules and Regulations
1. Background
1.1. Registration

Players must register via the Respawn website AT LEAST 10 minutes before the competition start time.
1.2. Game Version

Latest version available via Battle.net
1.3. Schedule

This competition is run to the Double Elimination format for scheduling of matches. Once the time limit for signups has elapsed all individuals will be entered into a draw and randomly allocated a position in the bracketing for the event.
1.4. Win Condition(s)

Best of 3 Matches per round.
2. Match Environment
2.1. Match Creation

All matches are created and hosted on Battle.net

To start your match, you must find your opponent's name in the 'People Near You' list, and choose to 'Challenge' them.
2.2. Desk Selection

There are no restrictions beyond the Hearthstone-programmed limitations on cards to be used in decks (e.g. no more than 2 of a 'normal' card in a deck, only 1 each of a 'legendary' card in a deck [e.g. Maexxna])
3. Exploits
3.1. No Cheating / Hacking

Cheats / Hacking includes any unauthorized manipulation of: server configurations and server variables, client configurations and client variables, models, skins, entities, textures, sounds, or anything else that subverts the games rules and normal operating conditions. Hacking includes any third party program which alters the game in a way that the game developer did not intend for.
4. Client / Server Issues
4.1. Pausing Conditions

Hearthstone has no pause function.
4.2. Match Restart Conditions

Matches will be restarted only on a network fault or a server fault. If this occurs the match will be replayed no matter what the previous score was. If a player drops-out and can not reconnect within 3 minutes, that play is deemed to have forfeited the match.
5. General Rules
5.1. Disputes

Any disputes must be made during the match and made aware immediately to the tournament organizer. If you play out the match without informing the tournament organizer, it is assumed you have no disputes and the result will stand.

If there is a dispute raised, the decision made by the tournament organizer is final.
5.2. Player Names

Inappropriate Player names which includes: profanity, racism, sexism, drug references, etc. may see you removed from the competition pending a competition admin’s decision.
5.3. Sportsmanship / Abuse

Unsportsmanlike conduct and abuse during, prior or after matches will not be tolerated. If a player is found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct or abuse, punishments may be issued. We wish to promote a healthy competition that everyone can enjoy.
5.4 Tournament Organisers

A tournament organiser may enter the competition they are running on the following rules:

Any decisions to be made whereby it involves them directly in the outcome of a decision must be decided by the Competitions Admin or by another member of Management of Respawn who is deemed impartial.
Any prizes that are won by the organiser will be forfeited, and in case of a single player competition handed to the player who is the place below the organiser; or in case of a team tournament be returned to the pool of prizes for that event.
The trophy in case of being awarded one maybe kept by the organiser at the discretion of by the Competitions Admin or by another member of Management of Respawn who is deemed impartial.

[KTMFinX]

Could we get a quick paragraph on the conquest format and class knockout?

[yoshiyoshi]

Could we get a quick paragraph on the conquest format and class knockout?

Not a problem, although you'll note that we may or may not use the Conquest ruleset due to time limitations.
As of June 18 (publishing date), we list a 'casual' best-of-three format as our official ruleset, but may switch to Conquest or Class Knockout at the Competition Runner or an Admin's discretion, and our official ruleset will be updated summarily if so.

Conquest Format

Conquest Format is a Best-Of-Five format, with a twist.

• Every player must choose Three 'Classes' of deck (i.e. You can't use more than one Warrior deck, even if they are similar).
• The player must win with EACH 'Class' to be declared winner (i.e. you must win THREE matches with THREE different Class decks).
• If a player loses a match, they can re-use that Class deck, as they have not won with it yet.

Note: Conquest Format may be run as a Best-Of-Three competition for earlier rounds, and switched to Best-Of-Five for finals, to ensure timeliness of the competition.

Class Knockout*

Class Knockout is a Best-Of-Three format, with a twist.

• Every player must choose Three 'Classes' of deck (i.e. You can't use more than one Warrior deck, even if they are similar).
• If a player LOSES a match, they CANNOT re-use the Class deck the won with in that Best-Of-Three round.
• If a player wins, they may re-use the deck. As it is Best-Of-Three, if they win the next game the series is over; if they lose, they have to choose a different deck.
• This means that any player's Class deck can be used a maximum of TWICE in a Best-Of-Three round (one loss and one win).

yoshiyoshi

* - The 'Class Knockout' format may be slightly incorrect (I'm very very sleepy right now) - if it requires correction please PM me with a source of the correct information and I will officially correct it.

[KTMFinX]

Very informative, thank you!

[Psoeter]

Question regarding the cheating section

Hearthstone deck tracker has been waved as perfectly fine by the devs themselves, though its a third party program that gives a small advantage if the opponent doesnt know basic math and has memory issues

Considering a lot of people in the tourney might not be used to playing with a flat client it might be useful to set it in stone if its considered cheating here since its not considered cheating by blizzard

[yoshiyoshi]

Question regarding the cheating section

Hearthstone deck tracker has been waved as perfectly fine by the devs themselves, though its a third party program that gives a small advantage if the opponent doesnt know basic math and has memory issues

Considering a lot of people in the tourney might not be used to playing with a flat client it might be useful to set it in stone if its considered cheating here since its not considered cheating by blizzard

Hmm... I'll discuss this with people more advanced than I in Hearthstone.

In short, assume that if it gives an advantage through picking cards to play for you, we're gonna ban it. If, however, it doesn't affect the game being played (i.e. it's a data tracker only) I don't see a problem with it at this time.

yoshiyoshi

[Psoeter]

Question regarding the cheating section

Hearthstone deck tracker has been waved as perfectly fine by the devs themselves, though its a third party program that gives a small advantage if the opponent doesnt know basic math and has memory issues

Considering a lot of people in the tourney might not be used to playing with a flat client it might be useful to set it in stone if its considered cheating here since its not considered cheating by blizzard

Hmm... I'll discuss this with people more advanced than I in Hearthstone.

In short, assume that if it gives an advantage through picking cards to play for you, we're gonna ban it. If, however, it doesn't affect the game being played (i.e. it's a data tracker only) I don't see a problem with it at this time.

yoshiyoshi

It tracks your deck, tells you the chance of getting a card (though doesnt say cards specifically, its just a flat percentage for any specific card making it just a nice number)

Says what cards you are yet to draw

Reminds you what secrets exist and what they do when they are played, also tracks cards the opponent plays

Reminds you how long is left in a turn

Thats basically it



imo its safe to ban it, its mostly used in ladder play and pretty much every streamer uses it for obvious reasons

blizzard themselves obviously dont allow it in tourneys, but we arent using their format so yeah
online leagues dont give a shit if people use it as long as they dont use it in broadcast events

[Mysts]

Conquest format would be the preferred format to use especially after the recent one nation of gamers open tournament showing how well it works and how much more varied and fun it makes the games. Instead of coming up against a brick wall of a deck and losing 3 times to it. The deck beats you once and then a point is scored and the decks class is now unplayable.

As for Deck Tracker it is dev approved 3rd party addon that simply feeds the player information. I see no reason to ban it as pen, paper and a calculator can be used to achieve the same thing. Although I feel I may speak to the players before the tournament starts to inform everyone of it so if anyone wants it they can get it.

[KTMFinX]

I personally think only pen and paper should be allowed to keep things simple. You should be limited to the time allowed in game for each turn if you want to make any calculations yourself.

Edit: +1 for conquest format!

[Daco]

My opponent has been a no-show....

[Mysts]

Overview

Boys! Make some room by the hearth! Hearthstone is the Blizzard-published, Warcraft-universe-inspired trading card game, which is simple to learn, complex to master, and full of the typically comical references from the Warcraft Universe. The aim of a Hearthstone match is to reduce your opponent's 'Hero' to 0 hit-points before they do the same to your hero!

A typical Hearthstone round consists of a best-of-three challenge. The player that can out-wit, out-muscle, or out-gimmick their opponent goes through to the next round, until only the champion is left standing.
Rules and Regulations
1. Background
1.1. Registration

Players must register via the Respawn.lan website AT LEAST 10 minutes before the competition start time. Your 3 class selections for the format and your Battletag must be given to the competition organiser or listed in your name when registered. Class abbreviations requested as follows.
WR = Warrior
WK = Warlock
S = Shaman
R = Rogue
PA = Paladin
H = Hunter
D = Druid
M = Mage
PR = Priest
e.g a full registration would be Hearthstoneplayer#1111 D,PR,PA. This would mean the player Hearthstoneplayer#1111 is using a druid deck, a priest deck and a paladin deck.
1.2. Game Version

Latest version available via Battle.net
1.3. Schedule

This competition is run to the Single Elimination format for scheduling of matches. Once the time limit for signups has elapsed all individuals will be entered into a Challonge bracket and randomly allocated a position in the bracketing for the event.
1.4. Win Condition(s)

Best of 3 Matches per round in conquest format. You enter play with 3 different classes to win you must win one match with each of these 3 classes to be declared the winner of the round to move onto the next round.
2. Match Environment
2.1. Match Creation

All matches are created and hosted on Battle.net

To start your match, you must find your opponent's name in the 'People Near You' list or add the battletag listed on the bracket for your opponent, and choose to 'Challenge' them.
2.2. Desk Selection

There are no restrictions other than the conquest format and the Hearthstone-programmed limitations on cards to be used in decks (e.g. no more than 2 of a 'normal' card in a deck, only 1 each of a 'legendary' card in a deck [e.g. Maexxna])
3. Exploits
3.1. No Cheating / Hacking

Cheats / Hacking includes any unauthorized manipulation of: server configurations and server variables, client configurations and client variables, models, skins, entities, textures, sounds, or anything else that subverts the games rules and normal operating conditions. Hacking includes any third party program which alters the game in a way that the game developer did not intend for.
4. Client / Server Issues
4.1. Pausing Conditions

Hearthstone has no pause function.
4.2. Match Restart Conditions

Matches will be restarted only on a network fault or a server fault. If this occurs the match will be replayed no matter what the previous state of the game was this does not affect any previous class wins. If a player drops-out and can not reconnect within 3 minutes, that play is deemed to have forfeited the match.
5. General Rules
5.1. Disputes

Any disputes must be made during the match and made aware immediately to the tournament organiser. If you play out the match without informing the tournament organizer, it is assumed you have no disputes and the result will stand.

If there is a dispute raised, the decision made by the tournament organizer is final.
5.2. Player Names

Inappropriate Player names which includes: profanity, racism, sexism, drug references, etc. may see you removed from the competition pending a competition admin’s decision.
5.3. Sportsmanship / Abuse

Unsportsmanlike conduct and abuse during, prior or after matches will not be tolerated. If a player is found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct or abuse, punishments may be issued. We wish to promote a healthy competition that everyone can enjoy.
5.4 Tournament Organisers

A tournament organiser may enter the competition they are running on the following rules:

Any decisions to be made whereby it involves them directly in the outcome of a decision must be decided by the Competitions Admin or by another member of Management of Respawn who is deemed impartial.
Any prizes that are won by the organiser will be forfeited, and in case of a single player competition handed to the player who is the place below the organiser; or in case of a team tournament be returned to the pool of prizes for that event.
The trophy in case of being awarded one maybe kept by the organiser at the discretion of by the Competitions Admin or by another member of Management of Respawn who is deemed impartial.

[aname]

Was any final decision made on Hearthstone Deck Tracker?
I know it's approved for use by Blizzard (ie you won't get banned for using it, it's not illegal), but don't know if it's allowed at this lan?