FFXVII Tournament Rules for Competitors


Format

  • All Games will be played on default settings unless otherwise noted in the “Games and Payouts” section for each game.
  • All Tournament Matches are 2/3 matches unless otherwise noted in the “Games and Payouts” section for each game.  Winners, Losers and Grand Finals for all games are 3/5!
  • All Games are double elimination. Games with larger turnouts will be split up into Pool Play.
  • Winners must keep same characters unless noted otherwise in “Games and Payouts” section for each game.

 

Checking In

  • You are responsible for checking into your pool before the official start time. If you are called for your match and are not present, you may be put into the losers bracket or disqualified at the judge’s discretion.
  • If you are entered into multiple tournaments and are required to play in two or more at the same time, whether it be in pools or top 8, please notify the judges running those brackets to avoid any DQs.

 

Competition 

  • If players disagree on which side they play on or which stage to use, selection will be determined by playing Rock, Paper, Scissors. Winner may choose.
  • If both players cannot agree on a stage within 10 seconds after selecting their characters, stage select is random, unless noted otherwise in specific game rules. If a banned stage is selected randomly, the stage should be selected again until a legal stage is selected.
  • Accidentally pausing the game at any time during your match will force you to forfeit the round. If the game does not have more than one round (such as DBFZ), the player who paused loses that game. In case a pause occurs, notify a bracket runner or game lead immediately before resuming play.
  • Turbo functions on all controllers are banned.
  • Players are responsible for bringing their own arcade sticks/control pads as we cannot provide controllers for competitors. Wireless controllers are banned unless plugged into the console directly. All controllers must be plugged into the console using a wire. If you wish to use converters, you must bring your own. Cronus and CronusMax Wireless converters are also banned.
  • Collusion of any kind with your competitors is considered cheating and will result in the collaborating players being immediately disqualified. This determination is to be made at the sole discretion of the Tournament Director. Anyone disqualified in this manner forfeits all rights to any titles or prizes they might have otherwise earned for that tournament.
  • All competitors are responsible for checking for synced wireless pads on the console, and for desyncing them before playing a match to avoid disruptions. Pads can be desynced by going to options, devices, blue tooth devices, select controller, hit options button, select forget device. If a match is disrupted by a synced wireless controller, players should inform the bracket runner immediately and hold off on continuing the match. A game judge will determine how to proceed depending on the situation.

See below for game-specific rules.

 

Official 2025 Tournaments


Playstation 4 Pro

ARC WORLD TOUR QUALIFIER

Best 2/3 Rounds
• Best 3/5 Games per Set (entire tournament)
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Full detailed rules for the Arc World Tour can be found here and will be enforced at Frosty Faustings XVII
Playstation 4 Pro
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Eclipse color choices (color 23) can’t be used
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
PC
• Shadow, Gold and EX characters are banned
• Banned Stages: I-no’s boss stage
Playstation 5 
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for all of top 8
• Random stage select (players may agree on stage)
• 99 Seconds, Control Type: Modern or Classic, motion blur OFF,  Input delay reduction ON, must set Button Release On or Off in main menu
• In case of “Double K.O.” on the Game screen, the match will not be scored. Both Players replay the tied Match with same characters and stage.
PS5 console / PS4 software version

ARC WORLD TOUR QUALIFIER

Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Full Arc World Tour rules will be enforced.
PS5 console / PS4 software version

ARC WORLD TOUR QUALIFIER

Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set. 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Character blind pick allowed. Losing player may change characters.
• Stage select is random. Players may agree on a stage.
• Lanalu is banned from tournament play per Arc World Tour official rules.
Full Arc World Tour rules will be enforced.
 Playstation 5
• 3/5 Rounds, 2/3 Matches, 60 Seconds, double elimination
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Character Customizations: Off
Playstation 4 Pro

SNK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER

2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
Winner keeps team but can change order
• Loser of prior game may switch characters and order 
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Playstation 4 Pro
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Nintendo Switch
DETAILED SMASH ULTIMATE RULES
PC
• Rules TBA
Playstation 4 Pro
• Rules TBA
Playstation 4 Pro
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Playstation 5 (MK Pro Kompetition Rules)
• 90-second timer. Best 2/3 Rounds, Best 3/5 Games per set.
• Random stage select
• Delayed final blow armor: off
• Losing player can change characters, if so, winner can switch Kameo
• Double blind selection may be requested
• Kameo Khameleon is banned
We will follow MK Pro Kompetition Rules
Playstation 4 Pro
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
PC
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Winner must keep character but may change moon
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Playstation 4 Pro
• Default Settings: 99 Seconds
All Matches are 3/5 including Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for
an agreed stage)
Various Consoles 
• Must use provided controllers
Round & Set numbers will vary
Different Game in every bracket round
Every pool will utilize different games
• DETAILED MYSTERY RULES
Playstation 4 Pro
• 3/5 Games per Match
• Winner must keep the same team/assists
• Loser may switch team/assists/order
Console TBA (MvC Collection)
• 3/5 Games per Match
• Default Settings (Timer: 99s, Damage: Lvl 2, Speed: Turbo 2
• Winner must keep character & assists (switch glitch ok)
• Loser may switch character
• Game breaking glitches are banned
• Stalling with post-KO dead body infinites are banned (repositioning is ok)

 

Japanese Arcade Cabinets
Bring Your Own Controller
• PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE Compatible
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
Random stage select
Gill is banned
Arcade Supergun w/ PVM
Bring Your Own Controller
• PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE Compatible
• 2/3 Rounds per Game
3/5 Games for all Sets
Random stage select
Akuma is banned
Arcade Supergun w/ PVM
Bring Your Own Controller
• PS3/PS4/XBOX 360/XBOX ONE Compatible
Double Elimination
Default settings
2/3 Games per Set
• 3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)
Playstation 4 Pro
Best 2/3 Rounds, 2/3 Games per Set
3/5 Games for WF, LF & Grand Finals
Winner Must Keep Character
• Loser May Switch Character 
• Random stage select (players may opt for an agreed stage)

Community Tournaments


Vortex Gallery is back in 2025 and will be hosting 38+ Community Tournaments! Visit the Community Events page for the full details and registration!

 

Payout Structure


Every main event tournament requires $10 from each player to compete. ($25 for Mystery) (See community event page for community event payouts)

Total Prize Pot = total competitors + any additional pot bonuses

Any tournament with a prize pool totaling $1,000 or more will pay out Top 8 automatically, regardless of the number of entries.

Tournaments with 1-63 competitors or less will pay out to the Top 3

• 1st place: 60%

• 2nd place: 25%

• 3rd place: 15%

Tournaments with 64+ competitors will pay out to the Top 8:

• 1st place: 50%

• 2nd place: 20%

• 3rd place: 13%

• 4th place: 7%

• 5th + 5th place: 3%

• 7th + 7th place: 2%

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