MMORPG tournaments: PvP duels with a judge and spectators in Zarhold

A tournament is the best way to find out who is the strongest on the server: not a random arena opponent, but a bracket, a series score, spectators and rewards no one else will ever have. In Zarhold, a card MMORPG in your browser, tournaments are played live: a Game Master judge brings the fighters together, every bout can be watched from the game, and the result shows up in the bracket on the website at once. Here is how a tournament works, how to sign up, how to watch the matches and how to prepare.

How a tournament works

The First Tournament of Zarhold is one-on-one duels, level 60 only. Its rules show how tournaments are run:

• pairs are decided by a random draw; if the number of players isn't 4, 8, 16, 32…, some first-round players go through without a match (a bye);
• two brackets: lose in the upper bracket and you drop to the lower one; lose in the lower bracket and you are out;
• the upper bracket is first to 3 wins (Bo5), the lower bracket first to 2 (Bo3), the final first to 3 (Bo5);
• in the final, the player from the upper bracket starts 1:0 — a reward for never having lost;
• the Game Master sets the time and place of every match and records the result; every bout goes into the Battle Chronicles;
• a no-show is a loss, and so is being more than 5 minutes late;
• one person, one hero: one entry per account.

Every tournament's rules are on its page — and they are the same numbers the server counts by.

How to sign up

You sign up right on the tournament's page on the website — for example, First Tournament: level 60 duels — or from the tournament card on the world map in the game, which also shows registration and the bracket in one tap. You need:

• a hero of the right level (level 60 for the First Tournament) on your account;
• to accept the rules;
• to log in to the website with the same account you play with.

Taking part is free. You can withdraw until registration closes. The start date and time are announced in a separate news post the day before.

A judged bout

A tournament match is a live duel run by a judge:

• the judge calls the fighters from the tournament room or by name — you get "✓ Accept" and "Decline" buttons; the bout card in the world chat shows the start time and reminds you 5 minutes before;
• before the bout comes the Versus screen with both fighters' portraits, classes and merits;
• the bout takes place in the tournament arena on living boards: a storm, a volcano, a tiltyard, a northern stronghold, a desert colosseum;
• each fighter presses "Ready", and only then does the judge start the bout;
• only the judge sees both fighters' hands; the judge can pause the bout — both turn clocks stop, for no longer than 5 minutes;
• consumables are used up in a tournament bout — prepare your potions and bombs in advance;
• battle emotes work: a "Good game!" after the final is good form (more in “Smileys, stickers and battle emotes”).

The bout's result is recorded in the tournament match at once, and a line with the series score goes to the game chat.

How to watch a tournament

Any player can watch a tournament bout: the bout card in the chat has a Watch the bout button — the match plays live, with both fighters' hands hidden so nobody can give hints. After the bout, spectators get the Bout replay with cards with both hands open, and at the end of the series a summary: the score, every bout and its record. The bracket, entrants and results update on the tournament's page on the website.

First Tournament prizes

• 1st place — 5,000 coins to your website account, the living Champion's Crown frame and the unique title Champion of the First Tournament (beta) — no one else will ever have it;
• 2nd place — 3,000 coins, the living Tournament Silver frame, the title 2nd Place of the First PvP Tournament;
• 3rd place — 1,000 coins, the Tournament Bronze frame, the title 3rd Place of the First PvP Tournament;
• 4th place — 500 coins, the Steel Honour frame, the title Fighter of the First PvP Tournament;
• every other participant — the Fighter's Ring frame and the title Participant of the First Tournament.

Coins are the balance of your account on the website: they pay for items in the Shop, except packs that contain gold. Tournament frames and titles aren't sold — they can only be earned.

Tournament achievements

The Tiltyard hall has a Tournaments section with seven achievements: play a tournament through to its result (1 and 5 tournaments), win a match in battle (1 and 10 — an opponent's no-show doesn't count), finish in the top three, win a tournament and win three tournaments — which earns the title Terror of Tournaments. The server counts it all from the tournament records. How achievements work in general: “Achievements in an MMORPG”.

How to prepare for a tournament

1. Play duels. Challenge a friend or a world resident: a training duel with a resident doesn't count towards your record, so it is a handy way to test a deck — more in “Duels in an MMORPG”.
2. Check your damage on the Arena Fighter. The training dummy with PvP rules shows how much of your damage is cut by defence and the round limit: “Training dummy and damage meter”.
3. Review your fights. The Battle Chronicles show who dealt and healed how much in every bout.
4. Stock up on consumables — they are used up in a tournament bout.
5. Brush up on PvP rules: PvP combat rules in the knowledge base and “PvP in a card game”.

Tournament FAQ

Who can take part in a tournament?

Any player with a hero of the right level — level 60 for the First Tournament. One entry per account: a second hero on the same account can't take part.

How much does it cost to enter?

Nothing: entry is free. You only need to accept the rules and log in to the website with the same account you play with.

What happens if I'm late for a match?

Being more than 5 minutes late counts as a loss, and so does a no-show. The Game Master sets the match time, and the bout card in the chat reminds you 5 minutes before.

Can I watch a tournament without playing?

Yes. The Watch the bout button in the bout card in the chat opens the match live, with the fighters' hands hidden. After the bout there is the Bout replay with cards with both hands open.

Are potions and bombs used up in a tournament bout?

Yes, consumables are used up in a tournament bout, as in an ordinary one. Prepare them in advance.

Where do I find out about the next tournaments?

In the website news and in the game itself: a tournament shows up as a card on the world map, and every tournament has its own page with rules, the bracket and prizes.