AoE3: DE 2v2 Double-Elimination Tournament Rules & Info

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​Overview

• Game Version: Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition

• Format: Round based with winner and loser brackets

• Match Type: 2v2 Supremacy 

• Progression: Winning team from each round advances to the next round, losing team will be placed into a losing bracket group with a chance to reach the finals.

 

Match Structure

• Winner Bracket: Best of 3 (Bo3)

• Losers Bracket: Best of 3 (Bo3)

• Losers Bracket Final: Best of 5 (Bo5)

• Grand Finals: Best of 7 (Bo7)

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The winning team to win 2-0 or 2-1 will advance to the next stage. The losing team will be placed into the losers bracket.

 

Map & Civ Rules

Map Pool

• Set selected from a standard 2v2 team map pool 

 

Civilization Pick Rules

• Each team will choose 2 civilizations to "safe pick"— these civilizations are protected and cannot be banned by the opposing team.
  After both teams have declared their safe picks, each team will then ban 2 civilizations from their opponents' remaining pool (excluding the safe picks). These bans prevent the opposing team from using those civilizations.
  This process will be repeated at the start of each round.

• Teams cannot repeat the same civilization combo during a round after they have already played the combo once (e.g Otto & Fre) (NEW RULE)

• Duplicate civs are allowed between teams in the same match

• Game 1: A blind pick — Both teams must enter a lobby to discuss and select their safe picks and bans. Afterward, the lobby will be rehosted, and players must join using the civilization they intend to play, subject to the bans in effect. The lobby host must select their civilization before the opposing team joins.

• Game 2: The winning team from Game 1 selects their civilizations first, and the losing team then chooses theirs as a counter-pick. 

• Once a player has used a civilization, they cannot use it again for the rest of the series (Best of 3, 5 and 7). However, their teammate may still use that same civilization once.

• Each player may only play any given civilization once per series (Best of 3, 5 and 7).

 

Banned Cards/Techs:

MEXICO:​​​

• ​Rancheros (Age1 card)

• Baja California (Age2 revolution)

• Charreada (Age4 card)

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OTTOMANS:

• Mosque Construction (Age3 card)

 

Match Settings

• Mode: Supremacy

• Treaty: None

• Starting Resources: Standard

• Map Type: Standard

• Starting Age: Discovery

• Observer Mode: Allowed

 

Scheduling

• Players have 1 week to complete all matches in their group

• Use the #scheduling Discord channel to coordinate

• Admins may reschedule, assign wins, or replace players if needed

 

Reporting Results

Winners must post in the #replays Discord channel with:

• Message admin with score and result (e.g 2-1)

• Upload of the replay file for each game

 

Conduct Rules

• Disconnects within 2 minutes: restart

• Disconnects after 2 minutes: players must restore the game in the save game option.

      How to Restore a Multiplayer Game in AoE3:DE After a Disconnect:

1. Launch the game and go to Multiplayer.

2. Click the "Restore" button.

3. Select the appropriate auto-save or manual save from the list by looking for the date and time.

4. Re-invite all original players. They must use the same civilizations and teams.

5. Start the match — it will resume from the save point.

6. Note: Only the original host can restore. All players must be on the same game version with no conflicting mods.

• Cheating, bug abuse, and exploits are grounds for disqualification

• Good sportsmanship is required throughout the event

 

Replays & Disputes

• All replays must be uploaded to #match-results

• Admins will review replays in case of disputes

• Missing replays may invalidate results

 

Advancement Format

• After each round, winning teams will move onto the next round.

• Losing teams will have a second chance at reaching the final. However if you lose again you are out of the tournament.

• The Grand Final will be played as a best-of-7 series. The team coming from the Winners Bracket and Losers Bracket will have the advantage of selecting maps from a limited map pool.

• Loser brackets will be a best of 3. While the Losers bracket final will be a best of 5. If you lose in this bracket your tournament participation ends. 

• 3rd and 4th place teams will be awarded their prize.

• 2nd place team will be awarded their prize. 

• 1st place team will be awarded their prize and be the overall winners of the tournament.   

 

Admins will determine the number of rounds based on total signups and timing.