Enforcement and Penalties
- 701.1.a.
Errors are assumed to be committed unintentionally. If the judge believes it was intentional, it is cheating. See 704.8 for more information about cheating.
- 701.1.c.
Judges should not stop errors from occurring. Instead they deal with errors that have occurred.
- 701.1.f.
Judges should not account for a player’s history or skill when determining whether errors occurred.
- 701.1.h.
Penalties are designed to educate players on mistakes and encourage them not to make them in the future.
- 701.1.j.
Penalties are issued and tracked to help judges understand intent over patterns of behavior.
- 701.1.m.
If a judge recognizes their own mistakes, they should acknowledge them and correct them if possible.
- 701.1.n.
If a competition official makes a mistake and it results in a penalty applied to a player, the head judge can downgrade the penalty.
- 701.1.o.
If a player acts on information given in error by a competition official, the head judge can rewind the game to account for it, even if there were no other errors.
- 701.2.a.1.
Time extensions should be granted if the total time to rule and correct is more than 1 minute.
- 701.2.b.
Game Loss: A game loss causes the erroring player and any of their teammates to concede the game. If this does not result in a winner, remaining players continue the game.
- 701.2.b.1.
Game losses are applied immediately if the game is ongoing, or to the player’s next game in the competition if it is not.
- 701.2.b.3.
If all players in a match receive a game loss simultaneously, the current game ends in a draw. All game losses are recorded but do not affect the match score.
- 701.2.c.
Match Loss: A severe penalty that’s issued when the entire match has been compromised by the error.
- 701.2.c.1.
Match losses are applied to the current match, or to the player’s next match in the competition if their previous match has ended.
- 701.2.d.
Disqualification: A penalty issued for errors that damage the integrity of the competition or for severe misconduct.
- 701.2.d.1.
Disqualification causes that player to lose the current match and be dropped from the competition.
- 701.2.d.2.
If a player has already physically received prizes from the competition, they keep them, but they will not receive any other prizes after disqualification, even if their placement in the event would otherwise entitle them to prizes.
- 701.2.d.4.
Any attendee of a competition can be issued a disqualification, not just players. Being barred from the tournament venue may apply to disqualification at the head judge’s discretion.
- 701.2.d.5.
This penalty can be issued by the head judge even without conclusive proof if the head judge determines the integrity of the competition has been compromised.
- 701.3.b.
Judges should explain the error, the procedure to fix it, and the penalties for involved players.
- 701.3.c.
Some errors include remedies beyond the scope of the base penalty, to protect competition officials from accusations of bias.
- 701.3.d.
If a single error leads to multiple related penalties, judges should issue only the one with the most severe penalty.
- 701.4.b.
Many cards recycle cards to the bottom of a deck. The judge should do what they can using information available from the game state and from the players to determine which portion of the deck is knowable by one or more players, and separate those before shuffling that deck.
- 701.4.c.
Once the deck has been shuffled, any cards set aside in this way should be returned to their proper locations in the deck.
- 701.5.a.
Some remedies allow rewinding the game state in extreme circumstances, where leaving the game in its current state is substantially worse than rewinding.
- 701.5.b.
Some rewinds are simple; this means rewinding only the last action completed or one currently in progress.
- 701.5.b.2.
When performing a simple rewind of a player's game action, rewind to before the action began, such as before a played card would be put on the chain. The player may then opt not to take the action, or take the action making different decisions.
- 701.5.c.
For rewinds more complicated than a simple rewind, only the head judge or designated appeals judges (at high OPL) may authorize rewinding in this way.
- 701.5.d.1.
Each individual action since the time of the error is reversed, starting with the most recent one.
- 701.5.d.3.
If the identity of a card involved in a rewind is non-public (e.g. a drawn card), a random card is chosen from possible candidates.
- 701.5.d.4.
If a player learned the identity of a card in a deck, but did not draw or channel it, it should be shuffled into the random part of the deck.
- 701.6.a.
Any penalty that results in disqualification automatically starts an investigation into that player and patterns of behavior that might impact their eligibility in future competitions.
- 701.6.d.
Suspended players may not enter Riftbound competitions. If a suspended player is found to have registered for a competition, the organizer reserves the right to issue a disqualification at any time.
- 702.1.a.
A game play error is caused by incorrect and inaccurate play of the game that violates the Core Rules.
- 702.1.b.1.
Except for 702.17, if a player commits the same exact category of game play error [Warning] 3 or more times in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 702.1.b.2.
At competitive OPL, if a player commits a total of 6 or more of any category of game play error [Warning] in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 702.1.b.3.
At professional OPL, if a player commits a total of 5 or more of any category of game play error [Warning] in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 702.1.b.4.
Even if a player has not yet met the threshold to upgrade their penalties, a head judge may initiate a cheating investigation if they feel it is appropriate. See 704.8 for more information about cheating.
- 702.1.c.
At low OPL, penalties should generally be less harsh and rewinds may be applied even if the erroring player gains an information advantage.
- 702.1.c.1.
At low OPL, penalties that require an opponent of the erroring player to make a choice are made at random by a judge when they can’t be avoided by a rewind.
- 702.2.
Missed Trigger [No Penalty]: The accountable player for a triggered ability doesn’t demonstrate awareness of the trigger before the first time it would have an observable impact on the game.
- 702.2.b.
After the initial point at which a triggered ability is missed, any further errors related to that trigger are considered a General Error instead. See 702.15 for more information about General Errors.
- 702.2.c.
Players may not attempt to cause triggered abilities where an opponent is the accountable player to be missed by taking game actions or otherwise prematurely advancing the game, including through otherwise acceptable shortcuts.
- 702.2.d.
A triggered ability is considered to have triggered even if it was subsequently missed. Effects that count or restrict the number of times that ability can trigger will count the missed one.
- 702.2.e.
If a mandatory trigger is missed by its accountable player and missing that trigger is advantageous for them, this penalty is a [Warning] instead.
- 702.2.f.1.
If the trigger was missed during a previous turn, instruct the players to continue playing.
- 702.2.f.2.
Otherwise, the next opponent in turn order of the player who missed the trigger chooses whether to resolve the trigger immediately or miss it altogether.
- 702.3.
Forgetting to Score a Point [No Penalty]: A player is entitled to a point from conquering or holding a battlefield but fails to track it.
- 702.3.a.
This does not apply to points that would be scored from card triggers such as Ahri, Alluring.
- 702.3.b.1.
If the correct score can be determined and no more than a full round cycle has passed, increment the appropriate player’s score to that total.
- 702.4.
Forgetting to Draw Cards [No Penalty]: A player is obligated to draw a card, either as part of their draw phase or instruction from a card, but fails to do so.
- 702.4.a.1.
If the missed draws can be determined and no more than a full round cycle has passed, the appropriate player draws the missing cards.
- 702.4.b.
If forgetting to draw was advantageous to the erroring player (example: the player is near burning out), this penalty is a [Warning] instead.
- 702.5.
Looking at Extra Cards [Warning]: While taking a game action that allows a player to look at cards from a deck, they look at more cards than they are entitled to.
- 702.5.a.
Cards being looked at from secret information such as a deck are added to a private information group while they are being looked at.
- 702.5.b.
Once extra cards being looked at have touched a new private or secret group from their original source, they become part of that group. If the extra cards have not touched a new group, this is instead a Looking at Secret Information error. See 702.10. for more on Looking at Secret Information errors.
- 702.5.b.1.
For example, if a player plays a Stacked Deck and adds a fourth card to the private set of cards they are looking at, it is Looking at Extra Cards. If they correctly look at the top three, but knock the top card of their Main Deck over without adding it to the private group, it is Looking at Secret Information.
- 702.5.c.1.
If the error is caught while the erroring player is looking at the extra cards, the next opponent in turn order of the erroring player looks at the private group and chooses the appropriate number of extra cards to shuffle back into the randomized portion of the appropriate deck.
- 702.5.c.1.a.
If one or more of the cards has already been added to a new group of cards, the next opponent in turn order of the erroring player looks at that group and chooses the appropriate number of cards to return to the original group of cards being looked at. Then perform 702.5.c.1
- 702.5.c.2.
If the error is caught at a later stage in the game, instruct players to continue playing.
- 702.6.
Channeling Too Many Runes [Warning]: A player channels a number of runes greater than they are entitled to under the Core Rules as the result of a limited action.
- 702.6.a.
Errors of this sort are generally public, and all players are expected to be mindful of game state.
- 702.6.b.1.
If the additional runes have been used to pay for actions, rewind if possible. If rewinding is not possible, this is a General Error instead. See 702.15 for more information about General Errors.
- 702.6.b.2.
If the additional runes are caught and no more than a full round cycle has passed, shuffle them appropriately into the rune deck.
- 702.7.
Channeling Too Few Runes [No Penalty]: A player channels a number of runes less than what they are entitled to under the Core Rules as the result of a limited action.
- 702.7.a.
Errors of this sort are generally public, and all players are expected to be mindful of game state.
- 702.7.b.1.
If no more than a full round cycle has passed, allow the player to channel the appropriate number of runes.
- 702.7.c.
If forgetting to channel runes was advantageous to the erroring player, this penalty is a [Warning] instead.
- 702.8.a.
Errors of this sort are generally public, and all players are expected to be mindful of game state.
- 702.8.b.1.
If a cost is overpaid and it is still the turn where the cost was paid, the overpaying player is considered to have the extra resources floating in their resource pool.
- 702.8.b.1.a.
If overpaying a cost was advantageous to the erroring player, this penalty is a [Warning] instead.
- 702.8.b.1.b.
If overpaying a cost caused a result that would not otherwise have happened, it is a General Error. See 702.15 for more information about General Errors.
- 702.9.
Mispayment for Cost [Warning]: A player pays a cost underpaying its requirements or using the incorrect requirements. See CR 201. Costs for more detail on costs.
- 702.9.a.
Errors of this sort are generally public, and all players are expected to be mindful of game state.
- 702.10.
Looking at Secret Information [Warning]: A player looks at information that is not available to any player. See CR 128. Privacy for information types.
- 702.10.a.
Players should not be penalized via a remedy for errors their opponents make. Example: If one of your opponents inappropriately flips over the top card of their deck, you do not receive a penalty if you see it.
- 702.10.b.1.
If possible, take involved cards in the now-known secret information and re-randomize them with the original randomized source of appropriate cards to remove the information advantage.
- 702.10.b.2.
If this is not possible, reveal the information to all players to remove the information advantage and instruct the players to continue playing.
- 702.11.
Looking at Opponent Private Information [Warning]: A player accidentally looks at information that is private to their opponent. See CR 128. Privacy for information types.
- 702.11.a.
Players should not be penalized via a remedy for errors their opponents make. Example: If one of your opponents inappropriately drops a card from their hand on the table, you do not receive a penalty if you see it.
- 702.11.b.1.
The opponent whose private information it is may decide whether to take involved cards in the now-known private information and re-randomize them with the original randomized source of appropriate cards.
- 702.12.
Drawing Extra Cards [Warning]: A player draws more cards than they are entitled to under the Core Rules as the result of a limited action or a player draws cards when they are not entitled to under the Core Rules.
- 702.12.a.
Drawing extra cards is also looking at extra cards, but only this error should be recorded.
- 702.12.b.1.
If the error is caught before the extra cards drawn are added to a private set, shuffle them into the main deck appropriately to remove the information advantage.
- 702.12.b.2.
If the error is caught when a player draws their opening hand during the start of game procedure and the player has not performed their mulligan yet, shuffle the extra cards into the main deck appropriately to remove the information advantage.
- 702.12.b.3.
If the error is caught after the cards drawn are added to a private set and it is within the round cycle, the next opponent in turn order of the erroring player looks at that player’s hand and chooses the appropriate number of cards to shuffle into the main deck appropriately.
- 702.12.b.4.
If at a later stage in the game it is determined a player has more cards in hand than they should, the remedy should be applied at this time.
- 702.13.
Facedown Card Error [Warning]: A player places a card into a facedown zone in a manner other than how they are entitled to under the Core Rules.
- 702.13.b.1.
If the error is caught by the erroring player immediately and before any additional game actions have been taken, return the card to the zone it came from and resume play.
- 702.13.b.2.
If the error is caught after additional game actions have been taken but before any cards have been added to the zone where the illegal card came from (such as a new card being drawn), return the illegal card to that zone and replace it with a random card from that zone that is legal for the facedown zone and resume play.
- 702.13.b.2.b.
If the error is caught after cards have been added to the zone where the illegal card came from, this penalty upgrades to [Game Loss].
- 702.14.a.1.
If a player recycled and replaced more than 2 cards during their mulligan, the next opponent in turn order of the erroring player looks at that player’s hand and may choose cards up to the number of extra cards mulliganed to have that player recycle and replace.
- 702.14.a.1.a.
Example: If a player accidentally mulliganed 3 cards, the next opponent in turn order would look at that player's hand and may choose up to one card to have that player recycle and replace.
- 702.15.
Forgetting to Ready During the Awaken Phase [No Penalty]: A player forgets to ready one or more game objects during their Awaken Phase.
- 702.15.a.1.
If it is still the turn the erroring player forgot to awaken, ready all game objects that should have been readied. If a game object being readied this way would put a trigger on the chain, it is not put on the chain instead.
- 702.15.a.2.
If it is no longer the turn the erroring player forgot to awaken, leave game objects in their current state and proceed with play.
- 702.15.b.
If forgetting to ready was advantageous to the erroring player, this penalty is a [Warning] instead.
- 702.16.b.
Errors of this sort are generally public, and all players are expected to be mindful of game state.
- 702.17.
Failure to Maintain Game State [Warning]: A player does not call out another player’s failure to maintain the proper game state, including missed scoring from hold and conquer.
- 703.1.a.
A tournament error is caused by actions in or around a tournament match that violate tournament procedure expectations.
- 703.1.b.1.
If a player commits the same category of tournament error [Warning] 3 or more times in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 703.1.b.2.
At competitive OPL, if a player commits a total of 6 or more of any category of tournament error [Warning] in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 703.1.b.3.
At professional OPL, if a player commits a total of 5 or more of any category of tournament error [Warning] in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 703.1.b.4.
Even if a player has not yet met the threshold to upgrade their penalties, a head judge may initiate a cheating investigation if they feel it is appropriate. See 704.8 for more information about cheating.
- 703.1.c.
At low OPL, penalties should generally be less harsh and rewinds may be applied even if the erroring player gains an information advantage.
- 703.1.c.1.
Penalties that require an opponent of the erroring player to make a choice can be made at random or by a judge if they can’t be avoided by a rewind.
- 703.2.
Slow Play [Warning]: A player is performing their start of game procedure or is playing mid-game at an unreasonably slow pace.
- 703.2.a.
Players must take their turns in a timely manner, appropriate to a judge according to the state of the game at the time, and adhere to time limits specified for the tournament.
- 703.3.
Decklist Error [Game Loss]: A player submits a decklist for registration that contains illegal elements.
- 703.3.a.1.
More or fewer cards than appropriate deck size. See 402 for more information about deck size.
- 703.3.b.1.
If the player’s registered decklist is illegal, the player must correct their decklist to a legal state making as little change as possible and ensure that their deck matches the newly registered deck.
- 703.3.b.2.
If the player’s presented decks do not match their registered decklist but their presented decks are legal, the player must change their registered decklist to match their presented deck.
- 703.3.b.3.
If the cards required to correct a decklist cannot be acquired in a timely manner, the head judge can issue a proxy.
- 703.4.
Deck Presentation Error [Warning]: A player’s deck’s contents are illegal during presentation to an opponent or during gameplay.
- 703.4.a.2.
A player forgets to restore their deck to a pre-sideboard state for the first game of a match.
- 703.4.a.3.
A player forgets to take their chosen champion from their main deck and place it in the chosen champion zone.
- 703.4.a.4.
A player’s deck is the incorrect deck size. See 402 for more information about deck size. (Examples: A player misplaced a card, a player forgot to shuffle their banished cards back into their deck between games, a player's deck has an extra card or is missing a card due to an effect like Possession from a previous game.)
- 703.4.a.5.
A player has cards in their deck box with their deck that are not part of the registered contents of their decklist. Promotional cards given out as part of the event, tokens, and damaged cards replaced with official proxies are allowed to be stored this way and do not warrant this error.
- 703.4.a.5.a.
At Professional OPL, extra cards stored in the deck box this way upgrades to a [Game Loss].
- 703.4.b.1.
If the error is caught by any player before opening hands have been drawn, restore the deck to its correct state if possible and instruct players to proceed.
- 703.4.b.2.
If the error is caught by the erroring player after opening hands have been drawn and it is easily possible, restore the deck to its correct state and instruct players to proceed. For example:
- 703.4.b.2.a.
In game one of a match a player realizes they forgot to restore their deck to a pre-sideboard state.
- 703.4.b.2.a.1.
A judge can restore their deck to the appropriate state by returning cards to the main deck and sideboard as needed.
- 703.4.b.2.a.1.a.
If sideboard cards are in the player's hand, they are replaced randomly by main deck cards that were incorrectly in the sideboard.
- 703.4.b.3.
If the error is caught by a player other than the erroring player after opening hands have been drawn, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 703.4.b.3.a.
At casual or competitive OPL, if the error is a player forgetting to move their Chosen Champion from their Main Deck to the chosen champion zone at setup, the judge may downgrade the penalty to a [Warning] and restore the gamestate if possible, regardless of who caught the error or at which stage of the game it occurred.
- 703.4.b.3.b.
Players may request a judge check an opponent’s deck for legality. (Example: A player believes an opponent has a sideboard card in the first game.)
- 703.4.b.4.
If restoring the deck to its correct state is not possible, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 703.4.b.4.a.
When applying a remedy for a missing Chosen Champion is applicable, if it occurs at any point after opening hands have been drawn and no copies of the Chosen Champion are available in the Main Deck to move to the Chosen Champion zone to restore the gamestate, the penalty may be downgraded to a [Warning] and gameplay can continue without the erroring player having a champion in the Chosen Champion zone.
- 703.4.b.4.b.
Example: A player has two total copies of on their registered decklist, one in their Main Deck and one in their Sideboard. During game one of a match a player draws and plays one . On a later turn, they draw the second copy and realize they forgot to de-sideboard. At this point, restoring the deck is not possible.
- 703.4.b.5.
If the cards required to correct the deck cannot be acquired in a timely manner, the head judge can issue a proxy.
- 703.5.
Communication Violation [Warning]: A player does not effectively communicate with their opponents during gameplay.
- 703.5.a.
This error includes any unintentional violation of the communication policies listed in section 500.
- 703.5.b.2.
If any decisions were made based on incorrect communication, perform a rewind if possible.
- 703.6.b.
If a player’s cards are sleeved, the cards must be examined while in the sleeves to determine if they are marked.
- 703.6.d.1.
Judges may request that a player remove their current sleeves or replace any of the deck’s current sleeves or cards immediately, or before the next round.
- 703.6.d.2.
If the cards required to correct the deck cannot be acquired in a timely manner, the head judge can issue a proxy.
- 703.7.
Insufficient Randomization [Warning]: A player did not sufficiently randomize their deck when required to.
- 703.8.a.
If the player arrives within 2 minutes of the round start, the penalty is a [Warning] and a time extension is issued.
- 703.8.b.
If the player arrives within 10 minutes of the round start, the penalty is a [Warning] and a time extension is issued. At high OPL the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss].
- 703.8.d.
If a player never arrives for their match, the penalty is a [Match Loss] and the player is dropped from the tournament unless they report to a judge before the next match begins.
- 703.8.e.
Players may call a judge before the round clock starts or in between games of a match to request up to a 10 minute time extension in lieu of penalty at the judge’s discretion. (Example: A player requests to use the restroom.)
- 703.9.
Outside Assistance: A player receives advice or strategic assistance from an individual outside of the match.
- 703.9.a.
If the player receiving the advice actively refuses the advice by calling a judge, they receive a [Warning]. Otherwise, that player receives a [Match Loss]. This penalty does not apply if the head judge deems the advice was delivered maliciously.
- 703.9.c.
If the spectator giving the outside assistance is also a player in the event, this penalty is also applied to them.
- 703.9.d.
Spectators providing advice may be barred from the tournament venue if the advice was given maliciously or knowingly.
- 703.9.e.
It is not outside assistance to receive strategic advice from a teammate in the 2v2 format or in other team formats when specified.
- 703.9.f.
At a judge’s discretion, a player may receive assistance with the physical logistics of the competition, including game actions such as shuffling or card movement. This is not considered outside assistance.
- 703.10.
Improperly Determining a Winner [Match Loss]: Games and matches of Riftbound must be decided by playing Riftbound appropriate to the tournament format.
- 703.10.a.
Other methods, including but not limited to flipping a coin, rolling dice, or playing other games, may not be used to determine a winner.
- 703.10.b.
Playing other formats of Riftbound other than the one designated for the tournament with the appropriate registered decklist may not be used to determine a winner.
- 704.1.a.
Riftbound does not tolerate unsporting conduct. Tournament attendees and spectators must behave in a respectful and honorable manner.
- 704.1.b.
If a player commits the same category of unsporting conduct [Warning] 2 or more times in the same event, the penalty is upgraded to [Game Loss] and may be further upgraded at the discretion of the head judge.
- 704.1.c.
Infractions and penalties listed in this section aim to serve as general guidelines. Listed infractions are examples and are not exhaustive. All judges are empowered to escalate unsporting conduct issues and the head judge may apply any penalty they deem appropriate for unsporting conduct, up to and including [Disqualification].
- 704.3.b.
This penalty often comes with ejection from the venue at the discretion of tournament officials.
- 704.4.
Angle Shooting [Warning]: A player intentionally uses the technical precision of the rules to gain an advantage where the spirit of the rules would not have garnered that advantage.
- 704.4.a.1.
Asking a player to state a choice that they would make on resolution prior to deciding whether to react.
- 704.4.a.3.
Promising a concession to garner additional information before making a different decision.
- 704.5.
Bribery [Match Loss]: Tournament attendees and spectators may not bribe tournament players or tournament officials.
- 704.5.a.
The outcome of tournament games may not be influenced by offers of out-of-game rewards or incentives.
- 704.5.a.3.
Receiving an offer is not considered bribery unless entertained or accepted, but the receiving player must inform a judge.
- 704.5.b.
Sharing prizes that have not yet been awarded in the current tournament does not constitute bribery. Players are permitted to make such agreements before or during their match, provided that the prize sharing is not offered or accepted in return for the outcome of a game or match, any in-game action, or a player dropping from the tournament.
- 704.5.c.
It is not bribery when players in the single-elimination portion of a tournament offering only items such as cash, store credit, and/or unopened product, with the competition organizer’s permission, agree to divide the subsequent tournament prizes evenly. All players still in the tournament must agree to the arrangement.
- 704.5.c.1.
Players may end their participation in the tournament at this point or continue to play. If this is a major streamed event, players must continue to play for final rankings.
- 704.5.d.
It is not bribery when, in the final round of the single-elimination portion of a tournament, with the competition organizer’s permission, players mutually agree on a winner and how to divide the remaining prizes. In such cases, one player must agree to drop from the tournament. Prizes are then awarded based on each player’s final standing.
- 704.6.
Wagering [Disqualification]: Tournament attendees may not wager on any portion of a tournament, match, or game, including its outcome.
- 704.7.
Theft [Disqualification]: Stealing or attempting to steal the property of a tournament attendee, spectator, vendor, or event organizer.
- 704.8.a.
Cheating includes but is not limited to performing any action that results in a penalty listed under 702 or 703 if it is done knowingly or maliciously to obtain an advantage.
- 704.8.a.2.
If judges suspect a player is violating the rules knowingly or maliciously, the head judge may initiate an investigation to determine if cheating occurred.
- 705.1.a.new
All players participating in a premier or qualifier Riftbound competition are subject to this Disciplinary Code.
- 705.1.b.new
Players accept and agree to be bound by these Riftbound Tournament Rules including this Disciplinary Code by: a) signing a contract or registration form in which these Riftbound Tournament Rules are incorporated, linked, referenced, or attached, b) clicking “Accept” when given the option to do so in an online registration process (or through a similar method of acceptance); or c) participating in any Regional Championship, Regional Qualifier, Showdown Series, or any equivalent events.
- 705.1.c.new
Players also accept and agree that the Competition Organizer and Riot Games have the right to:
- 705.1.c.1.new
Monitor compliance with these Riftbound Tournament Rules, other Riftbound competition policies, the Riot Games Terms of Service, and any other competition-specific rules.
- 705.1.c.2.new
Investigate (or have a representative investigate) possible violations of any of the foregoing, and/or possible violations of applicable law.
- 705.1.c.3.new
Where appropriate, impose sanctions for violations of these Riftbound Tournament Rules or other regulations referenced above, as further described below.
- 705.1.d.new
This Disciplinary Code applies globally anywhere Riftbound competitions are held. It may also apply to circumstances that occur outside of competition play entirely, if the alleged conduct could have an adverse impact on Riftbound competitions or in circumstances where the alleged conduct could be associated with Riot Games, Riot Games affiliates, Riot Games game titles, or other properties, in each case as determined by Riot Games.
- 705.2.a.new
Reporting: Players must report any violation of these Riftbound Tournament Rules to the Competition Organizer or Competition Officials upon becoming aware of the violation. Reports must be made honestly and in good faith. Knowingly false, fabricated, or recklessly misleading allegations, coordinated complaints made in bad faith, or other abuses of the reporting process are prohibited and may result in sanctions.
- 705.2.b.new
Duty to Cooperate: Players are required to cooperate with the Competition Organizer, Riot Games, or designated representatives in any internal or external investigation that is conducted relating to a suspected violation of these Riftbound Tournament Rules. Players have a duty to tell the truth in connection with any such investigation, and a duty not to obstruct any such investigation, mislead investigators, withhold evidence, or abuse investigative processes.
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Abiding to Decisions: Players must comply with all instructions, directions, decisions, or rulings, including any disciplinary measures or final decisions issued by the Competition Organizer or another entity recognized by Riot Games.
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Consequences: At the Competition Organizer and/or Riot Games’ discretion, sanctions will be proportionate to the severity of the violation, taking into account any prior sanctions. Multiple sanctions may be applied for a single violation. Violations of these Riftbound Tournament Rules may be sanctioned by the application of one or more of the following disciplinary measures:
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Prize forfeiture and return of prizes (including previously awarded money and trophies)
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Game, match, or competition forfeiture (including the disqualification of competitions in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions)
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Interim Measures: The Competition Organizer and/or Riot Games may issue interim or provisional disciplinary measures pending the outcome of an investigation and until a decision on the merits is finalized. In circumstances where credible evidence may suggest a breach of these Riftbound Tournament Rules, the Competition Organizer and/or Riot Games may implement provisional measures, including the suspension of individuals involved.
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Aggravating and Mitigating Circumstances: The type and extent of the disciplinary measures that may be imposed are based on the specific circumstances of each case, taking into account the seriousness of the offense as well as aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Repeated or multiple concurrent violations or infractions may be considered as aggravating circumstances and may be subject to escalating sanctions.
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Intent. Violations of the Riftbound Tournament Rules are subject to disciplinary action, whether or not they were committed intentionally or as part of a joke, a stunt, or some form of social media performance.
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Final Determinations. Competition Organizer’s and/or Riot Games’ determination as to the appropriate disciplinary action (or combination of disciplinary actions) will be final and binding.
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Public Decisions. The Competition Organizer and/or Riot Games may make decisions public at their sole discretion, which may include certain facts, details, consequences, or other information arising in connection with a ruling or other disciplinary decision regarding a violation or alleged violation of these Riftbound Tournament Rules.
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General Obligations: Players who participate in Riftbound competitions must at all times observe the highest standards of personal integrity and sporting conduct. Players are required to behave in a respectful manner in all of their interactions with other competitors, judges, competition officials, the media, sponsors, fans and other persons. Players must promptly comply with the decisions and instructions of Competition Officials (particularly of Judges) in a respectful and non-combative manner.
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Unsporting Conduct. Players may not engage in any unsporting conduct listed in 704. Engaging in unsporting conduct may additionally be subject to sanction under this Disciplinary Code.
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Cheating. Cheating is prohibited. Enabling or assisting others to cheat is also prohibited.
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Unauthorized Communications. Unauthorized coaching and other communications during a match can give a player an unfair competitive advantage, and are prohibited.
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Derogatory or Defamatory Statements and Hateful Acts. Players may not use words, gestures, digital or physical objects, or any other means to transmit, allow or facilitate messages or actions that insult, encourage hatred, undermine, or harm the integrity of a country, individual, or group of people. This includes contemptuous, discriminatory, or denigrating expressions based on race, skin color, ethnic, national, or social origin, gender, language, religion, political or other opinions, financial status, birth, sexual orientation, medical condition or history, or any other characteristic or status.
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Vulgar or Provocative. Players may not use words, gestures, digital or physical objects, or any other means to transmit, allow or facilitate messages or actions that are obscene, vulgar, provocative, hateful, racist, insulting, threatening, abusive, libelous, slanderous, defamatory, or otherwise offensive or objectionable.
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Harassment. Players may not engage in any form of harassment. Harassment is defined as unwelcome and unwanted behaviors that diminish, demean, or otherwise intimidate. This rule also prohibits sexual harassment, which is defined as any form of unwelcome sexual advances. Stalking, conduct that involves threats of violence (whether physically or online) and sharing personal information of another individual without permission are considered forms of harassment as is any conduct by an individual that incites or encourages abuse by others. All forms of harassment are prohibited, even if the behavior is not sufficiently severe or pervasive to constitute unlawful activity under applicable law.
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Bullying and Abuse. Players may not engage in any form of bullying or physical or mental abuse. Bullying is defined as malicious conduct which an objective observer would consider hostile, offensive, and unrelated to legitimate competition, especially in circumstances where the person is perceived as vulnerable. Abuse is defined as treating a person with cruelty or violence (including physical altercation), especially if done repeatedly. Acting with reckless disregard for the potential negative impact of one’s actions is also considered a form of bullying and is prohibited.
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Credible Threats. Players may not threaten others. A threat is defined as a statement of intention to commit an act of violence or take other hostile action against someone in retribution for something done or not done that could cause an objective observer to believe it will be carried out.
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Match-fixing or Manipulation. Players may not match-fix or otherwise manipulate the outcome of any match or competition or request, encourage, or instruct others to manipulate it. Manipulation is defined as the unlawful or undue influence or alteration, directly or indirectly, by an act or an omission, of the course, result, or any other aspect of a match (i.e. spot-fixing) or a competition, irrespective of whether the behavior is committed for financial gain, sporting advantage, or any other purpose. For the purposes of this rule, manipulation also includes any attempt to manipulate, any action that creates the appearance of manipulation, and/or any behavior that could reasonably give rise to suspicions of manipulation, whether or not the manipulation is ultimately carried out or successful.
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Retaliation. Players may not retaliate against anyone who reports a possible violation of these Riftbound Tournament Rules in good faith or who provides truthful information during an investigation. Retaliation (for example, threats, intimidation, harassment, employment actions, or any other form of reprisal) constitutes an independent violation, regardless of the outcome of the underlying report.
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Violations of Law. Players are required to comply with all applicable laws at all times during their participation in Riftbound competitions. Players may not engage in (or encourage or solicit others to engage in) any illegal activity or behavior that is under investigation or has resulted in formal charges, whether or not a conviction has occurred, if such activity may bring Riot Games, the Competition Organizer, and/or a Riftbound competition into disrepute, negatively affect the authority, honor, and brand value of Riot Games, the Competition Organizer, and/or a Riftbound competition, or cause harm to the operation of a Riftbound competition.
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Violations of Riot Games Terms of Service. Players are required to comply with the Riot Games Terms of Service and may face sanctions under this Disciplinary Code in addition to consequences established in the Riot Games Terms of Service.