Games & Payouts

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.
Coaching is allowed with one 30-second coaching break in a set between games. Coaches must be named before the matches begins. Coaches are not allowed on stage next to their players while a game is being played.

See below for game-specific rules.

Official 2025 Tournaments

PS5 console / PS4 software version

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.

• V-Sync turned on.

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

• The stage must be randomly selected for every game. Players must go back to stage select & pick random for every game

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

• The tournament will be run on the latest patch

• Etalus is tournament legal with the exception of individuals who have had early access to the character.

• SEE FULL DETAILED RULES HERE

Playstation 4 Pro

• Bring Your Own Controller

• 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 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

• 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

Playstation 4 Pro (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

MiSTer

• 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

MiSTer

• 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)

PC

• $2,000 prize pool provided by SEGA. Free to enter with a competitor badge.

• Double elimination, Default settings

• 2/3 Games per set, 3/5 games for WF, LF, GF

• Random stage for Game 1. Dural is banned.

• Winner keeps character. Loser can change char/stage.

• 2 keyboard players cannot play at same time. If both want keyboard, RPS. Loser must use diff controller.

Full details here

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!