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Event Rules

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament Ruleset

Event Info
  • Title: Frozen Battlefield
  • Game / Platform: Super Smash Bros Ultimate (Nintendo Switch)
  • Date: 01/18/2026
  • Start Time: 05:00 PM
  • Location: Bakersfield eSports Center, 7104 Golden State Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • Registration Link: bakersfieldesports.com
  • Bracket Format: Double Elimination
  • Set Length:
    • Before Top 8: Best of 3 (first to 2 wins)
    • Top 8 and Later: Best of 5 (first to 3 wins)
1) Game Settings
  • Stocks: 3
  • Time: 7:00
  • Stage Hazards: Off
  • Items: Off
  • Final Smash Meter: Off
  • Spirits: Off
  • Stage Morph: Off
2) Legal Stages
Starter Stages
  • Battlefield
  • Hollow Bastion
  • Pokémon Stadium 2
  • Smashville
  • Town & City
Counterpick Stages
  • Kalos Pokémon League
  • Small Battlefield
  • Final Destination
3) Character Rules
  • All characters are allowed.
  • Characters are picked before stage selection.
  • Double Blind: Either player may request double blind for Game 1. If requested, both players select characters without revealing until both are locked in.
4) Stage Selection (Strikes, Bans, DSR)
Game 1 (Starter Strike)
  1. Determine P1 by higher seed (or RPS if unseeded).
  2. Strike starter stages in this order:
    • P1 bans 1
    • P2 bans 2
    • P1 bans 1
  3. The remaining starter stage is played.
Games 2+ (Winner Bans, Loser Picks)
  1. The winner of the previous game bans 3 stages from the full legal stage list (starters + counterpicks).
  2. The loser of the previous game picks from the remaining stages.
DSR (Modified Dave’s Stupid Rule)
  • A player may not pick a stage they have already won on in the current set, unless the opponent agrees.
Gentleman’s Clause
  • Players may mutually agree to any stage selection procedure or stage choice before the game begins (TO may require approval).
5) Coaching Policy
  • No coaching allowed during matches.
6) Pausing and Interruptions
  • Pausing is not allowed.
  • If a player pauses:
    • Standard penalty is loss of 1 stock if the game can reasonably continue.
    • If the pause materially disrupts play, it may result in loss of the game (TO discretion).
  • For external interruptions or hardware issues, stop and call a TO immediately.
7) Timeouts and Tiebreakers

If time expires, winner is determined by:

  1. More stocks remaining
  2. If tied, lower percent

If still tied:

  • Play a 1 stock, 3:00 tiebreaker on the same stage with the same characters (unless TO rules otherwise).
8) Lateness / DQ Policy
  • Matches are called by bracket/TO announcement.
  • DQ Policy: A player not present and ready within 5 minutes after the match is called will be disqualified (TO may grant exceptions at discretion).
9) Equipment and Conduct
  • No turbo, macros, or automated inputs.
  • Intentional stalling, cheating, harassment, or repeated rule violations may result in penalties up to disqualification.
Back to overview
Tournament Rules

Super Smash Bros Ultimate Tournament Ruleset

Event Info
  • Title: Frozen Battlefield
  • Game / Platform: Super Smash Bros Ultimate (Nintendo Switch)
  • Date: 01/18/2026
  • Start Time: 05:00 PM
  • Location: Bakersfield eSports Center, 7104 Golden State Hwy, Bakersfield, CA 93308
  • Registration Link: bakersfieldesports.com
  • Bracket Format: Double Elimination
  • Set Length:
    • Before Top 8: Best of 3 (first to 2 wins)
    • Top 8 and Later: Best of 5 (first to 3 wins)
1) Game Settings
  • Stocks: 3
  • Time: 7:00
  • Stage Hazards: Off
  • Items: Off
  • Final Smash Meter: Off
  • Spirits: Off
  • Stage Morph: Off
2) Legal Stages
Starter Stages
  • Battlefield
  • Hollow Bastion
  • Pokémon Stadium 2
  • Smashville
  • Town & City
Counterpick Stages
  • Kalos Pokémon League
  • Small Battlefield
  • Final Destination
3) Character Rules
  • All characters are allowed.
  • Characters are picked before stage selection.
  • Double Blind: Either player may request double blind for Game 1. If requested, both players select characters without revealing until both are locked in.
4) Stage Selection (Strikes, Bans, DSR)
Game 1 (Starter Strike)
  1. Determine P1 by higher seed (or RPS if unseeded).
  2. Strike starter stages in this order:
    • P1 bans 1
    • P2 bans 2
    • P1 bans 1
  3. The remaining starter stage is played.
Games 2+ (Winner Bans, Loser Picks)
  1. The winner of the previous game bans 3 stages from the full legal stage list (starters + counterpicks).
  2. The loser of the previous game picks from the remaining stages.
DSR (Modified Dave’s Stupid Rule)
  • A player may not pick a stage they have already won on in the current set, unless the opponent agrees.
Gentleman’s Clause
  • Players may mutually agree to any stage selection procedure or stage choice before the game begins (TO may require approval).
5) Coaching Policy
  • No coaching allowed during matches.
6) Pausing and Interruptions
  • Pausing is not allowed.
  • If a player pauses:
    • Standard penalty is loss of 1 stock if the game can reasonably continue.
    • If the pause materially disrupts play, it may result in loss of the game (TO discretion).
  • For external interruptions or hardware issues, stop and call a TO immediately.
7) Timeouts and Tiebreakers

If time expires, winner is determined by:

  1. More stocks remaining
  2. If tied, lower percent

If still tied:

  • Play a 1 stock, 3:00 tiebreaker on the same stage with the same characters (unless TO rules otherwise).
8) Lateness / DQ Policy
  • Matches are called by bracket/TO announcement.
  • DQ Policy: A player not present and ready within 5 minutes after the match is called will be disqualified (TO may grant exceptions at discretion).
9) Equipment and Conduct
  • No turbo, macros, or automated inputs.
  • Intentional stalling, cheating, harassment, or repeated rule violations may result in penalties up to disqualification.