COST 2023 Ruleset Ultimate Game Settings Stocks: 3 stocks

Time Limit: 7:00 minutes

Final Smash Meter: OFF

Spirits: OFF

Damage Handicap: OFF

Stage Selection: Anyone

Items: OFF and NONE

First to: 1 Win

Stage Morph: OFF

Stage Hazards: OFF

Team Attack: ON

Launch Rate: 1.0x

Underdog Boost: OFF

Pausing: OFF

Score Display: OFF

% Show Damage: Yes

Custom Balance: OFF

Echo Fighters: Separate

Radar: Big

Teammate Highlight: ON

STEVE: Banned for the entirety of the event

Mii Fighters: All moveset combinations are legal

*it is up to the players to check in game settings before their match. Once a match is finished and reported, there can no longer be a replay if it is discovered the settings were changed or manipulated.

Ultimate Stagelist Starters: Battlefield*

Final Destination

Pokemon Stadium 2

Smashville

Town And City

Counterpicks: Small Battlefield

Kalos Pokemon League

Hollow Bastion

Stage Bans and Stage Selection Clauses Winner of the previous game will ban 2 stages

Best of 3 - DSR: Players are not allowed to choose the most recent stage on which they won

Best of 5 - TSR: Players are not allowed to choose the stage they counterpicked and won

Wuhu Island Ω Clause: Whenever Final Destination is chosen as the stage, the game must be played on Wuhu Island Ω if requested by either player

Ultimate Details Singles set length: All tournament sets will be best of 3 games, until Top 64, which will be best of 5 games.

Doubles set length: All tournament sets will be best of 3 games, until WFs, LFs, GFs which will be best of 5 games.

Stage Striking: Players eliminate stages from the Starters stagelist until there is one stage remaining. The player who strikes first may be determined by RPS (rock, paper, scissors) best of one. The winning player strikes the first stage. Then the other player strikes two stages. Then the winning player strikes one more stage and the remaining stage is used for the first game of the set.

Gentleman’s Clause: Players may select any LEGAL stage if they both agree on it. Players may NOT play on any stage that is not on the legal stagelist, and players may NOT agree to change the number of matches to be played in a set.

Double Blind Character Select: Either player may request a double blind character select for the first game. In this situation, a third party is told, in secret, each player’s character choice. Both players then select their character, and the third party validates that the character selected is the same as what they said.

Pausing: In the event that pause is not turned off, pausing the game is only legal while a player remains upon their OWN respawn platform, and only for the purpose of summoning a tournament organizer, or in the event of a controller malfunction. All other pauses will incur AT LEAST one stock loss to the offending player, perhaps more if the offending pause further disrupted the opponent at the discretion of the TO.

Stalling: The act of stalling, or intentionally making the game unplayable, is banned and at the discretion of the TO. Stalling tactics include but are not limited to becoming invisible, infinites, chain grabs, or uninterruptible moves past 300%; or abusing a position in which your opponent can never reach you. Any action that can prevent the game from continuing (i.e., pausing, freeze glitches, disappearing characters, game reset, etc.) will result in forfeiture of that match for the offending player. You are responsible for knowing your own character, and must be wary about accidentally triggering these effects.

Self-Destruct Moves & Sudden Death: If a game ends with a self-destruct move, the results screen will determine the winner. If a sudden death occurs, a standard sudden death play-off game applies. If a game goes to Sudden Death, the winner is determined by stocks and percentage at the time the game ends. If both players are tied in stocks, the player with the lower percentage is the winner. In the event of a percentage tie, or a game in which both players lose their last stock simultaneously, a 1-stock tiebreaker will be played with a 3-minute time limit. The results of an in-game 300% Sudden Death do not count. If Sudden Death occurs in a Sudden Death game, this process is repeated.

Timeouts/Ties: The winner of a match that goes to time (time out) will be determined by stocks and then percentage. When the timer hits 0:00, the player with the higher stock count is the winner. If both players are tied in stocks, the player with the lower percentage is the winner. In the event of a percentage tie, or a match in which both players lost their last stock simultaneously, a 1 stock tiebreaker will be played with a 3:00 time limit. The result of the game’s built-in Sudden Death does not count towards the set outcome.

Stock Sharing and “Grab and Go” Clause: Stock sharing is allowed in doubles. Trading controllers with another person during doubles is not allowed.

Missing Teammate Clause: If a player’s teammate is not present for a game, the match may continue if both parties agree. The solo player may team with a level 9 CPU. Team Color Clause: When in Doubles play, players must choose character costumes that are similar to their team colors. Example: 2 ROB players on red team would use the red ROB and the ROB with red arms. In the case of a character that doesn’t have a color option (example: there is no blue Fox color), then teams should use a similar color that is available to that character within reason.

Colorblind Clause: Players may request that their opponent change colors to accommodate color blindness, or if their color is indistinguishable from either the other team color or the stage background. This request must be made before the first game of the set. For example: requesting Cloud to pick green team to be able to distinguish when limit is charged, or having Sonic on blue team to prevent confusion.

Additional Rules Warm-ups: Warm-up periods, button checks, and “handwarmers” may not exceed 60 seconds on the game clock. Violation of this rule may result in forfeiture of a game at the discretion of the TO.

Coaching: Coaching is defined as an attempt to give advice to any player during a tournament set. Coaching is not permitted during the duration of a tournament set, whether during a game or in-between games in a set. The only exception to this is when a Grand Finals reset occurs. In this instance, players are given a two-minute break in which coaching may occur. Tournament staff reserves the right to judge on what is deemed “coaching” and the severity of the violation. If coaching occurs during this window, the coaching party will receive penalties as outlined below:

1st offense (minor): Verbal warning to the player and the coach. This warning persists for the entire event. 2nd offense (major): Player receives a game loss and/or the coach is removed from the tournament station. 3rd offense (severe): Coaching party receives complete disqualification and removal from the event.

Cheering vs. Coaching: Cheering is using nondescript statements such as “let’s go!”, “you got this!”, or “mess them up!” These are not seen as coaching violations, as they do not qualify as advice that can be applied to gameplay. Coaching is using specific statements pointing out habits, specific options, or timings such as “watch for their neutral getup!”, “their waft is almost ready!”, or “they keep rolling!”

Collusion: Any collusion or results manipulation with your competitors is forbidden. If the TO determines that any competitor is colluding to manipulate results or intentionally underperform, the colluding players may be immediately disqualified. This determination is to be made at the discretion of the TO. Anyone disqualified in this manner forfeits all rights to any titles or prize money they might have otherwise earned.

Tardiness: Anyone who is not present for their set by 10 minutes past the scheduled start time is subject to a total disqualification from the event.

Misinterpretation: Games or sets are not to be replayed due to a misinterpretation of the rules; it is the responsibility of the players to ask the TO for any clarification of the rule set in the event of a disagreement, and the outcome of a game or set will not be changed after the fact unless under extreme circumstances. If players begin a game with misconfigured player-specific controls (controller settings, etc.), players may not back out of a game to correct their settings once ten seconds have passed. After this time limit has passed, players must use their misconfigured settings, subject to the discretion of the TO.

Controller Legality: The legal Ultimate controllers include the wired Nintendo Gamecube controller, Pro controller, Wii Remote, Wii Remote + Nunchuck, Wii Remote + Classic Controller, and the Nintendo 3DS Family in controller mode. However, violations related to wireless controller interference will be subject to DQ and possible eviction from the venue.

Malfunctions: Any malfunctions associated with your controller are your responsibility. Players are responsible for using the correct settings BEFORE the set begins. Both parties need to agree if a match is to be paused or restarted because of a controller problem.

Force Majeure Clause: Any game interrupted by external, impartial conditions (e.g. power gets cut, safety concerns arise, AV cords get disconnected, etc.) should be reset and replayed at tournament staff discretion.

Mii Fighter Clause: Mii Fighters may use any costume allotted. Any player intending to use a Mii during a set must declare so before the set starts. Mii Fighters should be named after the combination of special moves chosen, listed in the format “XXXX.” Any combination of moves may be used, but any movesets that any player may want to use during a set must be created before the set begins.

Mindset Clause: A player should never take their frustration out on an opponent or equipment. If any player is caught hurting other players, making other players uncomfortable, or damaging equipment (controllers, setups, etc), they may be subject to the following:

1st offense (minor): Prompt disqualification from bracket and immediate payment for any damages. 2nd offense (major): Immediate banning from one subsequent tournament and payment for any damages. 3rd offense (severe): Immediate banning from future tournaments for one month and payment for any damages.

If more infractions occur after the 3rd offense, it is up to the TO’s discretion to determine the correct course of action.

Final Rulings: If any unforeseen situations occur, judgment of tournament staff is final. Rules may be altered between phases of a tournament in the best interests of the event. (Example: A game-breaking glitch is discovered on a stage mid-tournament that could be exploited. The stage may need to be removed from legal play for the remainder of the event).

Limitations of Liability TOURNAMENT ENTITIES HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, WITH REGARD TO THE VIDEOGAME SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT, OPERATION OF THE TOURNAMENT, OR PRIZING, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, NONINFRINGEMENT, AND THEIR EQUIVALENTS, UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION. Tournament Entities shall not be responsible for any of the following: (i) incorrect or inaccurate information whether caused by users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in a Tournament or by any technical or human error which may occur in the processing of a Playerʼs registration or gameplay; (ii) any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction, or unauthorized access which may result in alteration of gameplay or game results; (iii) any problems or technical malfunction of any network or lines, servers or providers, equipment, or software, including any injury or damage to Player resulting from participation in a Tournament; (iv) injuries or losses to Playerʼs person or property arising or resulting from participation in a Tournament; (v) any acts or omissions by Tournament entities or their employees, whether negligent or willful, in the conduct of the Tournament; (vi) any equipment or software malfunction; or (vii) the inability to complete a Game due to any technical malfunction. Tournament Organizers, at their sole discretion, may require the replaying of any Game, match, or Event, or declare any of the foregoing null and void by reason of any technical or other system error. If for any reason the Tournament or any portion thereof is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure, or any other causes beyond the control of Tournament Organizers, which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Tournament or any portion thereof, Tournament Organizers reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Tournament or any portion thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that Tournament Organizers determine, at their sole discretion, that any individual game, match, Event or Tournament, has been tampered with or that the validity of any game, match, Event or Tournament has been compromised for any reason, it may eliminate that game, match, Event or the Tournament, and may conduct the Tournament on the basis of the remaining game, match, Event and/or Tournament. In the event that any individual is adversely affected in a game, match, Event or Tournament by any technical or equipment malfunction, Tournament Organizers reserve the right to schedule special game, match, Event or Tournament among any such competitors so adversely affected. In the event of any cancellation, termination, modification or suspension of the Tournament or any portion thereof, Tournament Organizers will post a notice promptly on the Tournament website. BY ENTERING AND PARTICIPATING IN A TOURNAMENT, PLAYER AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, DEFEND, RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS ALL TOURNAMENT ENTITIES, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES, COSTS (INCLUDING REASONABLE ATTORNEYSʼ FEES) AND LIABILITIES (INCLUDING SETTLEMENTS) FOR ANY INJURIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, OR LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND, ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE TOURNAMENT, ATTENDANCE AT ANY TOURNAMENT, OR ANY PRIZE. OR ANY OTHER MATTER OR ACTIVITY DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TOURNAMENT, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIBEL, SLANDER, DISPARAGEMENT, DEFAMATION, COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT, INVASION OF PRIVACY, OR INFRINGEMENT OF ANY PATENT, COPYRIGHT, TRADEMARK, TRADE SECRET OR OTHER INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT OF ANY THIRD PARTY. THIS OBLIGATION SHALL CONTINUE BEYOND THE TERM OF THE TOURNAMENT