Match Expectations. In the event that you are not present for your match pool judges will do everything possible to play past your match. If you are called a second time and do not respond, you will forfeit the match in question. The accepted time limit is five minutes. Any pausing is an immediate loss of the round. This must be reported to the judges at the time it happens, if the match is played to conclusion after this occurs, the offending party will not be penalized. Judges will force a match forfeit if they witness a pause or controller interruption to the match. Pauses that occur in guaranteed loss situations (i.e: Critical Art animations) will not be penalized.
In the event of a controller/arcade stick malfunction a suitable replacement must be found, stopping the match to replace a controller must be alerted to the judge immediately. If this occurs between matches neither player will be penalized. If a player stops the match to replace his controller this match will be forfeited.
Games that have the option for Simple Mode play, i.e. BlazBlue and Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, these controller settings are banned.
Performance and Collusion. Collusion or match fixing of any kind is not acceptable. If we determine that competitors are willfully manipulating match results they will be disqualified from the event and in turn forfeit the rights to titles or prizes they would have otherwise earned. This determination is at the sole discretion of the Defend the North directors. If a player so chooses to forfeit a match, it must be told to the judge prior to the match starting. In this case, neither player would be penalized and the forfeiting player would move to the loser’s bracket if in winners, or removed from the tournament if in loser’s. Play to win at all times.
Venue Specific Rules & Regulations.
Behaviour. We have a zero tolerance policy towards threats, harassment and physical violence at any Defend the North event. Any attendee breaking this rule will immediately be evicted from the event, and your door and entry fees will be forfeit. Depending on the severity of the act in question, Defend the North will not shy away from bans from future events. We understand that in certain situations, someone may not feel comfortable publicly addressing such incidents. If this is the case please seek out a tournament director to relay your concerns.
Players will be held responsible for any and all damage to Defend the North equipment and venue property. The Defend the North team is not responsible for damages or loss of personal property. Please be mindful and courteous of other attendee’s property, if you find lost or misplaced items please turn it in to the registration desk or a Defend the North staff member. Theft is not tolerated at any Defend the North event. If an attendee is found to be in possession of stolen property, then they will be evicted and banned from future Defend the North events.
Defend the North requires that all attendees under 12 years of age be accompanied by an adult.
Substance Abuse. Defend the North promotes all ages venues. Any individual with liquor on the premises will be asked to remove it. Follow up problems, will result in the offending party’s removal from the premises. If you are visibly intoxicated and causing a disruption you will receive one warning, if this behavior escalates or staff receive further complaints, the offending party will be removed and forfeit all venue and tournament fees.
Defend the North after hours, and licensed events are subject to state laws and comply with legal age restrictions for alcohol consumption.
E-Cigarettes. Defend the North expects all attendees to comply with state or locally mandated e-cigarette legislation. Failure to comply will result in a reprimand from venue staff. Repeat offenses will result in the attendee being asked to leave the venue.
Game Specific Rules & Regulations.
Main Games (All main games are played on PC)
STREET FIGHTER V: Arcade edition (PC) - $3000 prize pool Gauranteed
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 games for Top 8 finalists.
3/5 games for Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character, but may change V-Trigger & V-Skill (prior to the losing player selecting their V-Trigger).
Loser may switch character and V-Trigger, V-Skill.
Random stage select or players (players may opt. for an agreed stage).
The Kanzuki Beach, Skies of Honor and Flamenco Tavern stages are banned from play. If either stage is randomly selected repeat random stage selection process until a tournament legal stage appears.
The following costumes are banned: Pyron Gill, Nergigante Blanka.
Legacy controllers are not allowed for this tournament.
GUILTY GEAR STRIVE (pc) - $2000 pRIZE POOL GAURANTEED
tEKKEN 7 (pc) - $2000 pRIZE POOL GAURANTEED
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
3/5 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character (with random stage).
Loser may switch stage (with same character).
Random stage select for the first game (players may opt. for an agreed stage).
tHE KING OF FIGHTERS XV - $3000 PRIZE POOL gAURANTEED
dRAGON BALL FIGHTERZ (Pc) - $2000 pRIZE POOL gAURANTEED
Default settings:
Double elimination.
300 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep characters/team.
Loser may switch characters/team.
Random stage select.
Dnf dUEL (PC) - $2000 PRIZE POOL GAURANTEED
mORTAL KOMBAT 11 (PC) - $2000 PRIZE POOL GAURANTEED
Default settings:
Double elimination.
90 second timer.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 games for Top 8 finalists.
3/5 Games for Grand Finals.
Interactables: ON
Tournament mode variations only.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character.
Random stage select (players may opt. for an agreed stage).
sOULcALIBUR vi (PC) - $2000 PRIZE POOL GAURANTEED
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
3/5 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character.
Random stage select (players may opt. for an agreed stage).
gRANBLUE FANTASY VERSUS (PC) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 seconds rounds.
Games and sets will be determined soon.*
3/5 games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character.
Random stage select (players may opt. for an agreed stage).
More details and additional rules will determined soon.*
mELTY bLOOD: tYPE lUMINA (pc) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per games.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 Games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character.
Random stage select.
SMASH BROS. GAMES
sUPER SMASH BROS. uLTIMATE (nINTENDO SWITCH) - $5000 PRIZE POOL GAURANTEED
Default settings:
Double elimination.
3 stock lives per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 games for Top 8 finalists.
3/5 games for Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch.
Stage Hazards: OFF
No DSR.
Radar: ON
Starter Stages:
Battlefield.
Final Destination.
Pokémon Stadium 2.
Smashville.
Kalos Pokémon League.
Counter-pick Stages:
Lylat Cruise.
Unova Pokémon League.
Town and City.
Yoshi's Story.
SUPER SMASH BROS. MELEE (PC) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
3 stock lives per game.
Games and sets will be determined soon.*
LEGACY GAMES
uLTRA STREET FIGHTER IV (PC) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 Games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character.
Random stage select (players may opt. for an agreed stage).
ULTIMATE MARVEL VS. CAPCOM 3 (PC) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 Games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep characters/team but may switch order.
Loser may switch characters/team and/or switch order.
SUPER STREET FIGHTER II TURBO (SUPERGUN/MIST er) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 Games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep character.
Loser may switch character.
Random stage select.
marvel vs. capcom 2 (dreamcast) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
2/3 rounds per game.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 Games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep characters/team but may switch order.
Loser may switch characters/team and/or switch order.
Random stage select
capcom vs. SNK 2 (dreamcast) -
Default settings:
Double elimination.
99 second rounds.
Ratio VS.
2/3 games per set.
3/5 Games for Winners, Losers and Grand Finals.
Winner must keep team but can change order of team.
Loser may switch team and/or change order of team.
Random stage select.
God/Ultimate Rugal, Shin Akuma, Evil Ryu, and Orochi Iori are banned.
Other games hosted
Rushdown revolt (pc) -
Default settings:
Game Settings Stage List Starters: - Pyrostation - Combat Lab - Forbidden Shrine - Malu Malu - Platform Alpha
Counterpicks: - Cyber Skyline - Shadowbriar - Sovereign Peak
Match Settings: - Game Mode: Last One Standing - Resources: Competitive - Boundary: KO Zone - Loudouts: Off - Lives: 4 - Time: 7
Additional Rules
1. Match Procedure Players select their characters. Character selection is always Double Blind. Use Stage Striking to determine the first stage. Stage strike order will be P1-P2-P2-P1. The Players play the first game of the set. Winning Player of the preceding Game bans two stages. The losing Player of the preceding Game picks a stage for the next game. Losing player can choose any stage except the stage they most recently won on. The winning Player of the preceding Game may choose to change characters. The losing Player of the preceding Game may choose to change characters. The next game is played. Repeat Steps 4 through 8 for all subsequent matches until the set is complete.
2. Mutual Agreement Players may select any permitted stage if they both agree on it. Players may not play on unpermitted stages or change the length of a Match.
3. Pausing If a Player either intentionally or accidentally pauses the Game by either pressing the start button or unplugging his or his opponent’s controller, the Player who paused forfeits a stock. The penalty may be increased to a multiple stock forfeiture or a Game forfeiture at the discretion of the TO.
4. Restarts Tournament Organizers may approve a Game restart due to exceptional circumstances, such as a power outage.
5. Stalling Stalling, or excessively delaying the Game or Match, may result in a Game or Match forfeit at the discretion of TOs.
6. Timeouts If a game goes to a timeout, 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 lose their last stock simultaneously, a 1 stock tiebreaker will be played with time limit equal to the regular time limit divided by the regular number of stocks, rounded up to the minute.
7. Alting Players may not use alternate smash.gg accounts and/or deliberately hide their identities to manipulate seeding.
8. Warm-ups Warm-up periods and controller tests may not exceed 30 seconds on the in-game timer. Violation of this rule may result in an automatic forfeit at the discretion of TOs.
9. Tardiness Any Players not present for their Match by 10 minutes past the scheduled start time, without prior communication with TOs, is subject to disqualification from the set.
10. Collusion Players suspected of colluding may be immediately disqualified from the tournament. This includes intentionally throwing a match, splitting a payout, or committing any other form of bracket manipulation. The TO reserves the right to deny payout of event winnings to any Player suspected of colluding.
11. Misinterpretation / Misconfiguration If a game was played under a misconfiguration of the Game Settings that could have materially affected the result of the game, a Player may petition the TO to have that game replayed. The final decision is at the discretion of the TO. This must be done immediately after the game in question; after the next game is started, the previous game shall not be replayed regardless of whether the rules were set correctly.
12. Final Rulings If any unforeseen situations occur, judgment of TOs is final. Rules may be altered between phases of a tournament in the best interests of the event
Ticket Policy.
Refunds. As of 2018 there are no refunds and transfers on ticket purchases for Defend The North.
Event Cancellation. All events are subject to change. If you are only in one event and it is cancelled, you will receive a full refund (event fee and venue fee). If you are registered for multiple events and you are in a cancelled event, you will only be refunded the event fee for the cancelled game(s).
What You Need to Know About COVID-19.
General Information. To reduce the spread of Coronavirus, please follow these guidelines:
If you are sick, STAY HOME.
If you have chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, a compromised immune system, chronic lung disease, and/or cancer, we are advising you to limit your exposure.
If you have no symptoms, continue to practice good hygiene and remain vigilant about your health.
Practice Social Distancing: Even if you feel well, stay at home as much as possible. In public, keep at least 6 feet distance from others. Avoid unnecessary appointments.
Wash Your Hands. Cover Your Cough: Cover your cough and sneezes. Use your elbow or a tissue. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Take Caution with New Yorkers At-Risk: Take special caution to avoid exposing the elderly and people with underlying health conditions. Avoid visiting those most at risk, call instead. Offer help with groceries and other goods.
NYC: Get Tested Now!
All New Yorkers (and those traveling into New York) should get tested for COVID-19, whether or not you have symptoms or are at increased risk.
You should get tested now if you have symptoms – regardless of age, chronic conditions or occupation – and then stay home.
COVID-19 Symptoms.
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus and commonly include:
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fever
Sore throat
New loss of taste or smell
This list is not all inclusive. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Older adults may show confusion or disorientation and experience falls.
"Mask will be required while inside venue unless eating and / or drinking" DTN team strongly recommends everyone — including people who are vaccinated or were previously infected — wear masks in all public indoor settings."
Frequently Asked Questions.
PRE-EVENT.
Why should I pre-register? Pre-registration allows staff to more quickly create brackets for tournaments by knowing exactly who you are and what games you’re registering for. As a thanks for making this process easier, we offer the lowest possible registration cost available to players to encourage pre-registration for future events.
Will there be registration at the door? Yes, however this comes at a cost. First, due to the lateness of this registration, there will be a premium charge for emergency registration on site. Second, you will not be added into the current list of pools that will be shown once the pre-registration period is over. Instead, you will be added into a late registration pool with others that registered late. Third, there tends to be a long wait so if this is absolutely necessary for you, we strongly suggest you get there early to beat whatever wait there may be.
BRACKET/POOL QUESTIONS.
How are pools determined? Region of origin, team, and seed from various tournaments if that information is known.
What happens when a player is not at their pool during check ins? A timer is set for the player to arrive within five minutes of the start of matches for their pool. In the mean time, the other rounds will be played out in the respective pool. If the missing player arrives before the timer runs out, they will not be penalized. If they do not arrive before then, their opponent advances to the next round and the missing player is sent to the losers bracket via disqualification. If they do not arrive for their losers bracket match by the time all of the other losers bracket matches have been run in their respective round, they will then be eliminated.
Can I have a friend check in for me at my pool? No, you must be present at your pool in order to have been considered checked in at your pools. Substitutions will not be tolerated.
What is a blind pick? It is a tactic used to avoid counter picking by informing the staff of the choice to blind pick. One player then selects their character and informs the staff of their choice. The next player then tells the staff their character selection which prompts the staff member to select the characters for the players as the match is played out.
MATCH QUESTIONS.
If the game is paused, what happens? First, contact the TO to verify the action then once it is determined who is at fault, the other player is allowed to either accept a round being given to them via time out once a lead has been established or to decline and play the rest of the round out. If a controller replacement is required, consider this the first warning in order to do so. If this happens a following time, the player at fault is disqualified from the match.
Is there a difference between a player pausing, hitting a menu button, or the controller disconnecting? No, they are all treated as disruptive gameplay and will be dealt with as such.
What does a double KO mean? Both players win the round if the result of a trade causes both players to lose enough health to be KO’ed simultaneously. This may cause a sudden death in the final round or allow whichever player that won a round first to win the match.
EQUIPMENT QUESTIONS.
Are legacy controllers allowed? As current with EVO rules, legacy controllers are not allowed for SFV.
Are converters allowed? Currently, only the Brooks Super Converters are allowed, but this is subject to change.
Are wireless controllers allowed? Yes, but only if they are connected to the console via USB sync cables.