The ladder rules council has gone through all the rules in the ladder and updated any outdated rules to fit the modern ladder. The council consisted of different clan representatives and JJNet moderators (me, Blackrose, Laro, Loon, JellyJam, Ragnarok and Lahm). The updated rules will apply immediately.
Below you may find a summary of all the rules that were changed by the council. Note that only the most important changes and new rules are listed here, because many of the updates were just about formalizing current practices or fixing ambiguous wording, for example.
General rules with regard to the ladder site:
§2.1 Clans may only refuse clanwar challenges in the instance that any of the following are true: - The challenging clan has under 20% of the maximum ranking points to freeze the season. - The challenging clan has under 50% of the challenged clan's ranking points. - The challenging clan has already issued and played a clanwar vs the challenged clan this season. §2.1.2.1 The challenged clan has 1 week to respond to the challenge, after which the challenge will be automatically refused (with the appropriate point punishments, if applicable). §2.1.2.2 The clans must also schedule their match within 2 weeks from when the challenge was sent. The scheduled date must be within 30 days from the moment the challenge was sent. If the clans do not comply, the admins will schedule the match as they see fit. §2.1.2.3 The scheduled date and time must be shared with an admin if they are not already up to date on JJnet. If the match is to be played with any deviations from the standard clanwar format (e.g. 2on2 instead of 3on3), they must be shared to the admin as well. Evidence must be provided in case of disputes.
§10.2 Because of the more spontaneous nature of regular ladder matches, players who join new clans are allowed to play ladder matches after 24 hours from their last ladder match or clanwar for another clan. So players who are new to the ladder or haven't played any matches for a long time can play ladder matches immediately.
§11.3 Only /cstart may be used to start the game when it is about to begin or continue from a pause (a scripted command like !startgame is allowed as well as long as it includes the use of /cstart). Using /start to intentionally gain a head start over the opponent is not allowed and may lead to punishments.
Level Choices:
§2.1.3 The opportunities to change maps do not stack. If you skip your opportunity to change a veto after e.g. 25% milestone, you can still change only 1 veto after the next milestone. §2.1.4 If a clan uses only a part of its allowed vetoes from the start and wishes to add unused vetoes later, they'll have to contact an admin to change their veto field. Note that adding unused vetoes do not count as real veto changes, which is why you shouldn't use JJNet's veto-feature for that unless you are also changing an existing veto at the same time. E.g. If a clan has 3 vetoes set at 75% milestone, they can change one of the 3 and add one new veto at the same time. §2.1.5 If a clan has a clanwar scheduled, any veto changes AND additions by the clan need to be done at least 48 hours before the clanwar's scheduled starting time. If the clanwar is to be played within less than 48 hours from the point of scheduling it, any veto changes AND additions need to be done within 1 hour from the scheduling point.
Settings and tools:
<li>/mutualinjury on</li>
§1.2.1 Any mutators can be used during the game as long as both clans agree. However, the mutator settings listed below cannot be refused by the clans (if available in the server):
§1.3 Checking the server settings is both teams' responsibility. However, the teams cannot be expected to check for the validity of any level scripts or mutators running in the server. This responsibility is on the server owner. Note that including malicious code in a level script or mutator is considered cheating. See the cheating section below. §1.3.1 The JJNet crew reserves the right to change the above lists at any time.
§3.1.3 Including malicious code in a level script or a mutator which can be used by a clan to gain an advantage over their opponent is considered cheating and leads to punishments. For example, a script which automatically kicks players of a team from the server is considered cheating, regardless whether the game is running or not.
Clanwar rules:
§5.1.2 In case no JJNet-associated server is available or they have limited functionality (e.g. important admin groups not working), the match referee has the highest power to decide which server to use for the clanwar. This is also the case when the clans cannot agree on the server to use. §5.1.2.1 By default, clanwars are played in any JJNet-associated server. For reference, see our list of JJNet-associated servers.
§6.1.3 The JJnet crew is tasked with assigning referees, broadcasters and commentators to clanwars. Assigning commentators may also be delegated to the broadcasters themselves, who may want to pick their own commentators. The referee may in principle not be refused by the clans, but arrangements will be attempted in order to keep everyone involved happy.
§8.1 Players are allowed to stop the game using /stop. §8.1.1 To ensure fairness, nomovement must be turned ON in every game at the start.
§8.4 Tactical time outs are allowed by the use of technical pause time (if there is any left).
§10.1.1 If needed, the team can use their technical timeout from their current map to gain extra time for substitution. If the match hasn't started yet, the technical timeout will be deducted from the first map's technical timeout balance. §10.1.2 If the team runs out of substitution time, they are allowed to continue the rest of the match with fewer players than their opponents (e.g. 2on3 or 1on2).
Rules for normal matches:
§10: Absences</h3> §10.1 If either team suddenly has too few players to continue playing normally, they have 10 minutes to search for replacement or wait for the player to come back. §10.1.1 If needed, the team can use their technical timeout from their current map to gain extra time for substitution. If the match hasn't started yet, the ladder match should be invalidated due to its spontaneous nature. §10.1.2 If the team runs out of substitution time, they are allowed to continue the rest of the match with fewer players than their opponents (e.g. 2on3 or 1on2). §10.1.2.1 It is not allowed to start a match with uneven teams like 1on2, 2on3, etc. §10.1.2.2 If one clan runs completely out of players, their opponent has the right to claim a forfeit victory. §10.2 If the clans agree, it is also possible to lower the game format down to a minimum of 2on2. Duels are not allowed though.
Congratulations to [GpW] for its 4th season victory of the ladder and for defending their title. Honorful mention goes also to CX and -t3> for their silver and bronze medals respectively.
Before the next season starts, we are going to go through the ladder rules together with clan representatives and moderators to get any outdated rules up-to-date.
The ladder season 17 is expected to begin around the end of February/beginning of March. Stay tuned!
Top four clans, Please plan in these matches at your earliest convience:
Final: [GpW] vs. CX Bronze Final: [CDF] vs. -t3>
...and refer to the rules.
The vetoes page has been updated for the season finals. Good luck to everyone! May the odds ever be in your favor!
Also please note, that you should schedule the games to be played within 1 month from now on. Also if no confirmed schedule can be made within 2 weeks, an admin will schedule your game.
CX has crossed the magical 200 points limit and the ladder is now frozen. Like previous seasons, the top 2 clans ([GpW] and CX) are invited to participate in the Grand Final, meanwhile [CDF] and -t3> are invited to participate in the bronze final. Should one of the clans not accept the invitation, e.g. from top 2 clans, the clan ranked 3rd will be invited to the Grand Final and so on.
Should the current top 4 clans sign up, CX and -t3> are entitled to pick 1 extra veto (5 total) against their opponents, due to having reached a higher ranking. All clans are allowed to change two (2) of their previous vetoes. This time all vetoes can be set on any maps of any size (e.g. 5 vetoes on 2v2+ maps)
Clan leaders (or clan delegates approved by their clan leaders), please confirm in a comment here whether your clan will be participating. Please do so by January 22nd, 22:00 GMT. Also ANNOUNCE YOUR VETOES HERE BEFORE THE SIGN UPS CLOSE (if you have an extra veto and/or wish to change your previous ones). Do not try to use the Edit veto-tab on your clan's page, because it does not yet support veto changing for final matches. If you do not announce vetoes here, your current vetoes apply for you.
The JJnet Duel Tournament v5.0 has concluded and the points to the highest ranked clans (based on their highest ranked player) have been handed out as promised. Congratulations to A7med for his supreme victory! Also congratulations to the runner-ups Hyperion and Krzysiek!
Please take a look at the following updated rules. They apply from now on:
§2.1 Clans with 20% or more of the maximum ranking points may not refuse clanwars (not ladder matches) against lower-ranked clans who have got at least 50% or more of the challenged clan's ranking points and who have not yet played a clanwar with the clan in question during the current season (it does not matter which clan sent the challenge).
§5.1 When a clan reaches 200 points, the ladder ranking will be frozen, meaning that no more ladder matches may be played nor clanwar challenges be made while the clan stays at 200 points or above. Players may only play CW matches for the clan they are a member of at that point until the final matches have finished. Clanwars or challenges made before the moment when 200 points was reached still have to be played, mutually cancelled or rejected (with the appropriate punishments) off-season, however.
§5.1.1 Any ladder matches played while the season is frozen will be invalid. If there is a chance of multiple clans being able to freeze the ladder simultaneously by a single match, the clan who finished their victorious ladder match/clanwar (or tied ladder match if it yields enough points to reach 200) first will be favored regarding this. It does not matter which match gets submitted first, as long as there is clear evidence of which match was finished first.
§5.1.2 If the clan that reached 200 points first falls below 200 points as a result from a CW loss, the season unfreezes and ladder matches may be played (and clanwars challenges be made) again until a clan reaches 200 points.
§5.2 Once all off-season clanwars (if any) have been dealt with without the top ranked clan falling below 200 points, the two highest ranked clans will be invited to participate in the season final, and the 3rd and 4th clan will be invited to the bronze final. They shall start as soon as possible. The clans may accept the invitation on the basis that they will be able to play their final match within 1 month from the day the invitation phase ends. They also acknowledge that if they fail to schedule their final match within 2 weeks from the end of the invitation phase, the JJnet crew will schedule the game as they see appropriate.
TL;DR: If a clan falls below 200 points after freezing the ladder as a result from a lost clanwar, the ladder will be unfrozen and the ladder season will function as normally.
Also, to prevent infinite loops of clans challenging each other while competing for the first place, each clanwar matchup can be forced only once during the current season, meaning that a clan may refuse a clanwar against a lower ranked clan without consequences IF they already played a mutual clanwar during the current season. The clan still cannot refuse clanwars against other clans which they did not have a clanwar with and who have met the requirements to challenge for a forced clanwar.
If it were to happen that two or more clans would be able to reach 200 points somewhat simultaneously, the clan who finished their match (victory or tie if it yields enough points) will be favored. Playlogs and such may be used for evidence.
please note the changes to the following rules which apply for the ladder from now on:
§5: Winning a season and the final rankings
§5.1.1 Once all off-season clanwars have been dealt with, the two highest ranked clans will be invited to participate in the season final, and the 3rd and 4th clan will be invited to the bronze final. They shall start as soon as possible. The clans may accept the invitation on the basis that they will be able to play their final match within 1 month from the day the invitation phase ends. They also acknowledge that if they fail to schedule their final match within 2 weeks from the end of the invitation phase, the JJnet crew will schedule the game as they see appropriate.
§5.1.2 If 2 or more clans are tied for the same position (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th) the mutual rankings will be decided by forced clanwars by a round robin system (each clan plays vs. each other once). This does not apply if the clans in question are at 0 ladder points. In such case the remaining top-4 positions will be given to the fastest clans to sign up for them.
§10: Who may play
§10.1 Only players who are registered for their clan on jazzjackrabbit.net and have not played clanwars for another clan DURING THE SAME SEASON may play in clanwars for their current clan. Meaning that players who join a new clan during the season may play in clanwars as long as they didn't play any of those for their previous clans. Otherwise, if the players already played in a clanwar for their former clan, they will have to wait until the next season to play in clanwars. Clanwars also include any final matches and play-offs.
§10.2 Because of the more spontaneous nature of regular ladder matches, players who join new clans are allowed to play ladder matches after 24 hours of registering themselves in the new clan on jazzjackrabbit.net.
TL;DR: The clans who are tied in ladder points at the end of the base season now have to settle their mutual ranking by forced clanwars.
Also players may only play clanwars for one clan per season to discourage "player borrowing for clanwars". Players must also register in their new clan's squad list 24 hours prior to their first ladder match in the clan.
Wohoo! After almost 2 months of no ladder matches, the JJnet ladder shall return once again!
What's new this time? Well, first off, we have 3 brand new levels included in the mappool, which were chosen by the judges of the previously announced level contest, for which you can find the results below this newspost.
Also don't forget that the JJnet Duel Tournament v5.0 is still ongoing and its results will also influence the ladder rankings by rewarding clans with points.
However, the most important changes are:
- The ladder season freezes once a clan hits 200 ladder points instead of 100 ladder points - Each ladder match win now yields 3 ladder points to the winning clan instead of 2 (ties and losses still reward the same points as before)
Dear all, the level contest results are finally here! The contest entries were judged by 6 chosen judges, from which 5 were the representatives from each active clan (Me, Laro, Loon, JellyJam and Ragnarok). PurpleJazz was a neutral (no-clan) guest judge to bring extra depth to the results.
The winning entries were to be chosen by having each judge vote for exactly 3 levels which they would like to see in the mappool for ladder season 16. Also each judge would be to give their own feedback for the judged entries. The votes were sent to me privately to avoid judges influencing each other too much.
And of course to keep things fair, Laro, Loon, JellyJam and PurpleJazz were not allowed to vote for their own level.
The top-3 levels to receive the most votes by the judges were the ones to be added into the mappool. At last, here are the RESULTS!
Congratulations to PurpleJazz and Warren who made the ultimate levels to tie for the first place in the contest! Your levels truly impressed the judges! Also congratulations to JellyJam and his level Byzantine Blues, which ran up to 3rd place!
Finally, I want to thank everyone who participated in the contest and made new playable levels for the community! Also, even if your level didn't make it to the mappool this time, it may still make it there for the future seasons through time and improvements.
Also, as promised, the judges are to give feedback to all the entries (except the ones they made themselves ofc), which they will send separately in their own posts following this post. Meanwhile, below are the votes per judge in literal form:
10:36 PM] PurpleJazz: my rankings: (will write feedback later)
#1 ragnarok
#2 byzantine blues
#3 ftl starship (only counted the first 3, the rest were optional)
#4 riparius ridge
#5 percolator
#6 snowland
#7 time's up
10:39 PM] Jelly Jaм: Alright, the maps I vote for are ezgale, xlmrag and ezstar, in no particular order
[10:39 PM] Jelly Jaм: All of which can be playable in 2v2 imo
11:34 PM] SJ: OK, I shall give you my votes in return: Galeloch Castle, Byzantine Blues and FTL Starship
11:04 PM] Ragnarok: votes =
[11:04 PM] Ragnarok: (in no particular order)
[11:04 PM] Ragnarok: star, gale, riparius
[11:05 PM] Ragnarok: star to be 2v2/3v3, gale 2v2/3v3, riparius 3v3only
4:32 PM] Hammel: ok my votes are in random order
bb, gale and star
[4:34 PM] Hammel: my fourth place would have gone to riparius, however i think these maps have the best potential in being played during a cw/laddermatch
12:49 AM] DigitalRonin: Loon's, Jelly's and PJ's are probably my sets to get ellected (later confirmed to be the final votes)