TSG
TSG
The Skill Gap
Version 1.0

TSG Competitive Rulebook

The official ruleset for The Skill Gap tournaments in THE FINALS. All captains are responsible for ensuring their team understands these rules.

Contents

  1. 1.Tournament Overview
  2. 2.Match Format
  3. 3.Allowed Equipment
  4. 4.Banned Exploits
  5. 5.Disconnect Rules
  6. 6.Timeouts
  7. 7.Player Conduct
  8. 8.Streaming Rules
  9. 9.Communication
  10. 10.Match Reporting
  11. 11.Protests
  12. 12.Competitive Integrity
  13. 13.Technical Requirements
  14. 14.Admin Decisions
  15. 15.Penalty Guide
  16. 16.Recommended Tournament Standards
  17. 17.Player Eligibility
  18. 18.Code of Competition
1

Tournament Overview

Registration

  • Teams must be registered 3 days before the tournament date
  • Admins will perform a check-in 1 week and 2 weeks before the registration deadline.
  • Last check-in the day before the tournament.

Capacity

  • Max 8 teams

Region

  • NA

Game Mode

  • Ranked Cashout Ruleset
  • Private Match Lobby
  • Double Elimination
  • Grand Finals: Single Elimination (3v3)

Team Size

  • 3 Players
  • 1 Substitute (optional)

Roster Lock

  • Rosters lock at tournament check-in.
  • No player substitutions during an active match unless approved by tournament administration.
2

Match Format

  • Double Elimination / Losers Bracket. Pre-selected maps. Maps will be shared day-of in the Tournament chat.
  • Grand Final. First place of final cashout picks a map for the Grand Final.

Map Bans

  • Seoul
  • Kyoto
3

Allowed Equipment

  • All weapons, gadgets, specializations, and contestant builds currently available in the live game are legal unless listed under Restricted Items.
  • Tournament organizers may publish a restricted list before an event if balance concerns arise.
4

Banned Exploits

The following are prohibited:

  • Intentional map exploits
  • Clipping outside playable areas
  • Abusing unintended destruction glitches
  • Using bugs to become invulnerable
  • Infinite movement exploits
  • Duplication glitches
  • Macro abuse
  • Hardware scripting
  • Third-party software
  • Cheats of any kind
  • Smurfing
  • Any exploit ruled game-breaking by tournament staff may result in a replay or forfeiture.
5

Disconnect Rules

Before First Engagement

  • If a player disconnects before meaningful combat has begun, teams may agree to restart.

Mid Match

  • If a player disconnects after combat begins, play continues.
  • Tournament admins may approve a replay only in the event of verified server failure.
6

Timeouts

Each team receives:

  • One 5-minute technical timeout per series.
  • Only captains may request a timeout.
7

Player Conduct

Players must not:

  • Harass opponents
  • Use hate speech
  • Stream snipe
  • Ghost
  • Collude
  • Intentionally throw matches
  • Delay matches without cause
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in warnings, map losses, disqualification, or ban from future tournaments.
8

Streaming Rules

  • Players may stream unless otherwise announced.

Required stream delay:

  • Minimum 2 minutes
  • Observers are exempt.
  • Tournament staff may require player POV recordings.
9

Communication

  • All team members must be a part of The Skill Gap Discord.
  • Only active players may communicate during gameplay.
  • 3 people limited in voice chat per team during gameplay.

Coaching is permitted only:

  • Before matches
  • During pauses
  • Between games
  • No live coaching during active rounds.
10

Match Reporting

Winning captain must report:

  • Final score
  • Screenshot of scoreboard
  • Replay or VOD if requested
11

Protests

  • Teams have 15 minutes after a match concludes to file a protest.

Evidence may include:

  • Video
  • Screenshots
  • Player recordings
  • Stream VODs
  • Tournament administration has final authority.
12

Competitive Integrity

  • Players must compete to the best of their ability.

The following are prohibited:

  • Match fixing
  • Betting on tournament matches
  • Smurfing
  • Account sharing
  • Impersonation
  • Ringer players
  • Violations may result in permanent bans.
13

Technical Requirements

Minimum requirements:

  • Stable internet connection
  • Updated game client
  • Voice communication available
  • Functional microphone
  • Players are responsible for ensuring equipment works before match start.
14

Admin Decisions

Tournament administrators reserve the right to:

  • Restart matches
  • Award forfeits
  • Issue penalties
  • Modify schedules
  • Interpret rules
  • Admin decisions are final.
15

Penalty Guide

Warning

  • Minor first offense

Game Loss

  • Repeated rule violations
  • Unsportsmanlike conduct

Series Forfeit

  • Failure to appear
  • Cheating investigation
  • Refusal to follow admin instructions

Tournament Ban

  • Proven cheating
  • Match fixing
  • Severe misconduct
16

Recommended Tournament Standards

  • Double Elimination Bracket
  • Neutral observers
  • Player POV recording encouraged
  • Admin present before and after every match
  • Discord voice required for entire team
17

Player Eligibility

  • All players must have completed all 4 ranked placement matches in the current season to be eligible to compete.
  • Any player without completed placements will not be permitted to play, and their team must substitute an eligible player before match time.
  • Admins may request proof of completed placements at check-in.
18

Code of Competition

  • Respect opponents.
  • Respect officials.
  • Play to win.
  • Win with integrity.
  • Respect The Skill Gap.
— End of Rulebook —