For the first stages of the event, players will be seeded into pools consisting of 8 players. The top 4 seeds from qualifying will be automatically seeded to the Winners’ side of the Top 12 bracket.

The song selections for each pool will be limited to the following ranges:

Wave 1: 12 - 14 Wave 2: 13 - 15 Wave 3: 14 - 16 Wave 4: 15 - 17 Wave 5: 16 - 18

Each player in the pool will secretly choose any chart within the designated range by Wave # and submit it to the tournament organizer. Once all charts are selected, they will be revealed to all players. The order of those songs will be randomized, and all players will play those 8 songs in that order. If the same song is chosen multiple times, it will be played the total number of times it was selected (multiples will not be discarded, and the play order for each recorded score on the same song will be consistent across competitors).

Players will be allowed two minutes between song plays. This will not be strictly enforced unless it is noticed players are taking excessive amounts of time between songs. Time is essential at Storm, after all.

Players will be randomly paired together for pool play. Pairs will receive 1 game to warm up on any songs of their choosing other than the 8 pool songs. Players may change their pairs if they wish, and if all impacted players agree (example: A and B are paired together, and C and D are paired together. If A, B, C, and D agree, they may change their pairs however they wish). Players may not change the order that songs must be played.

Final ranking in each pool will be determined by average W/L ranking across all songs.

Wins and Losses are determined on a “per song” basis based on EX against other respective players in the pool. The W/L ratios will be determined once all songs have been played.

Tiebreakers At the end of each pool, if there are two or more players who have the same overall W/L ratio, final rank will be determined by total average EX% across all songs. If there are any ties after this determination, a single song random will be drawn from the hardest selectable tier and all players who are tied will play the drawn song. The highest EX% will determine pool rank. Rinse and repeat as needed.

Modifiers Players may use modifiers that do not alter the number of arrows or lifebar (Mirror, Shuffle, hidden+, sudden+, etc.) Mods such as CUT or RISKY must be disabled. Failure to adhere to this may result in loss of song and/or match disqualification.

Pad Errors / Recalculations Pad error discrepancies/recalculations will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the acting available TO. Unruly or rude participants may be subject to having their pad recalculation requests denied.

Any recalculated steps will be recalculated to a Perfect judgment.

Note: If at any points you do something deemed unsportsmanlike, verbally/physically interfering with someone while playing a match, damage venue property, assault another person, or any other similar malicious behavior, you will be immediately disqualified from the tournament and subject to ejection from the venue at the discretion of event staff.

No substances (i.e. baby powder) are to be applied directly on the pads other than cleaning solutions as needed. If you wish to use them, you may apply it to your shoes off the pad. You may request the pads to be cleaned by TO/staff at any time.