Game Rules

1. Overview & Format

These rules govern VALORANT competitions hosted by Northbound Esports. Specific tournaments may publish additional or overriding details on their event page; where a conflict exists, the event page prevails.

• Structure: Double-elimination bracket (upper and lower brackets) unless stated otherwise.
• Match format: Best of 1 (Bo1) in early rounds; finals are typically Best of 3 (Bo3). The exact format is shown on the event page.
• Team size: 5 starting players, with up to 2 optional substitutes.

2. Eligibility & Roster

• All players must meet the eligibility requirements in our Terms & Conditions.
• Each player may represent only one team per tournament.
• Rosters are locked once the bracket is generated. Substitutions after lock require administrator approval.
• Players must compete on the Riot account registered to them. Account sharing and "ringers" (unregistered players) are strictly forbidden.

3. Check-in & Scheduling

Teams must check in before the tournament start time as instructed by administrators. A team that fails to check in may forfeit its slot.

• Both teams should be in the match lobby within 15 minutes of the scheduled time.
• A team not fielding 5 eligible players within the grace period may forfeit the map or match at admin discretion.
• Match times are set by administrators; teams are responsible for their own availability.

4. Match & Server Settings

Unless an event specifies otherwise, matches use the Tournament / Custom game mode with the following settings:

• Mode: Standard, Tournament Mode ON.
• Server: The lowest-ping region fair to both teams, as designated by admins.
• Overtime: On, win by two, first-to-two in each MR1 overtime set.
• Cheats: Off. Hidden map pool: Off.

5. Map Selection

Map veto is conducted from the current competitive map pool. For a Bo1, teams alternate bans until one map remains. For a Bo3, a standard ban–pick–ban–pick–ban sequence is used, with the final map decided by the remaining option.

• The higher seed chooses whether to ban first or pick side first.
• Side selection on each map goes to the team that did not pick that map (or by knife round where specified).

6. Pauses & Technical Issues

If a player disconnects or a technical failure occurs, use an in-game tactical pause immediately and notify an administrator.

• Each team is allowed a reasonable number of tactical pauses; abuse of pauses may be penalized.
• If a round is compromised by a verified technical fault, admins may order a round replay or remake at their discretion.
• Matches are not remade for individual player performance, personal hardware issues, or in-game bugs affecting both teams equally.

7. Results & Disputes

The team captain must report the final score to administrators immediately after each match, along with a screenshot of the end-game scoreboard as proof.

• Keep scoreboard screenshots until the tournament concludes.
• Disputes must be raised before the next match begins. Late disputes may not be considered.
• Administrator rulings on results and disputes are final.

8. Broadcasting & Streaming

Northbound Esports may broadcast any match. Players may stream their own point of view subject to a delay specified by admins (typically a minimum of 2 minutes) to prevent stream sniping. Stream sniping is a punishable offense.

9. Prohibited Software & Cheating

The following result in immediate disqualification and possible bans:

• Aimbots, wallhacks, triggerbots, or any unauthorized third-party software.
• Exploiting bugs, map glitches, or unintended mechanics for competitive advantage.
• Ghosting (relaying live information from an outside source), stream sniping, or DDoS attacks.
• Intentionally disconnecting to force a remake.

10. Penalties

Depending on severity, violations may lead to warnings, round or map forfeiture, match forfeiture, disqualification, prize forfeiture, and bans from future events. Penalties are applied per our Code of Conduct and are at administrator discretion.

11. Administrator Authority

Administrators may interpret and enforce these rules, resolve situations not explicitly covered, and take any action they deem necessary to preserve the integrity and fairness of competition. All administrator decisions are final and binding.