Clients allowed

The only proxies/clients allowed in EQL are:

More QuakeWorld 0.96
FuhQuake 0.31, build 675
ezQuake 1.9 stable (build 2253)
ezQuake 1.8.3 stable (build 2160)
FTE 3343

The Qizmo proxy version 2.91 is also allowed as it can help with routing. Standard QWCL clients are no longer allowed.

During regular season the EQL Crew will often NOT be on a server to check for cheats etc. So it is up to YOU players to check each others settings.
We press on this issue to be done before any game, and after each map. EQL Crew will always try to attend during EQL Playoffs, and will then perform the checks needed to be done. But as stated below, if argument should happen between 2 clans, then contact an admin to settle the conflict, what the admins say and decide is not negotiable.


Concerning f_checks

FuhQuake is required to have -ruleset smackdown and -norjscripts cmd line parameters added.
ezQuake is required to have "ruleset smackdown" and "allow_scripts 0" set in the console prior to joining the game.
FTE is required to have "ruleset nqr" set in the console prior to joining the game.

To check for cheats, such as fake clients, modified models and sound, you need to check 2 things. First you have to determine whether or not the clients on the server are genuine, i.e. not modified. Next you can check for modified models. The procedure is explained in detail as follows:

1. Checking for client authentication:
Do a /f_version to see if the players are using the allowed clients (see above for a list of what replies you should expect).
You can also use /users and /user X (where X is the user number of the player you want to version check), it should return one of these info keys:

*client mqwcl 0.96
*FuhQuake 0.31
*client ezQuake 2160
*ver FTE 3343

2. Checking for modified models, sounds etc:
f_modified will reply if players have modified anything. All players must reply all models ok.
Exception: FTE users are allowed to modify models and sounds since FTE restricts things like models sizes and sound lengths to prevent cheating.
Such users will simply return nothing on the f_modified check.

If a player drops after an f_check, the player must be rechecked when he returns to the server. If an argument should occur between the clans, then the clans should go to #eql.qw on IRC and get an admin to come to the server and settle the conflict. Any player/clan that shows some bad models or other bad settings must change them at once, failing to do so and an admin may impose restrictions upon this player/clan, such as giving the other clan a WO or banning the clan/player from EQL.

NOTE: There is a bug when routing via Qizmo proxies. It will post "modified player/eyes model" when you enter a server. Don't mind this, as long as f_version shows an original authenticated client, and f_modified shows all ok.


Maps and match procedure

Both clans make their choice of map before the first round starts. The second team to chose may NOT PICK THE SAME MAP as the first team. If none of the clans want to tell their map first, use the command: cmd rnd team1 team2 (team1/team2 stand for the clan names). The third map will be chosen by dropping one map each. The clan that did not choose the first map will be the first clan to eliminate a map when it comes to the decider.


Server and minping settings

Choice of server should be suitable for both clans. If clans can't agree on a server, minping can be used (/cmd minping xx). The value for the minping must not be higher than the lowest pinging player in the highest pinging team, unless both teams agree otherwise.

If the clan with lower ping wants, they can reroute via qizmos to raise their ping (but not the minping!) and thus minping won't have to be used.
Admins can however change the rules if they think it’s unfair in some games! So if u got ping problems call on an admin.


Scripting

EQL does not allow any movement scripting, such as kfjump or self built rocketjump scripts.
cl_fakeshaft will be allowed in EQL
Teamoverlay can only be used in "Division rookie"


Things that are considered as cheating

Movement scripts of ANY kind. This includes rocket jump scripts.
Automated teamsays, including automatic mega timer and "autotook" reporting.
Scripts that change a player's skin depending on their health/armour/weapon.
Changed models of any kind! Your proxy must report clean set of models to an f_modified check, without exception.
Hacked clients! Recompiled quake-executables or edited clients will not be tolerated.
Speedcheating! Achieving a speed percent of over 99.99% is considered as cheating. Since this can happen by accident people who are caught with a higher value will only be asked to reboot and reconnect.
No coaching whatsoever is allowed. This includes - but is not limited to - timing quad and other items, relaying enemy positions and giving teamplay suggestions. This can lead to the player and/or the clan receiving harsh penalties such as a timed kick/ban or a permanent kick/ban from the EQL League.


Other offences

Intentionally dropping from server! Having one or several players intentionally drop from server during a game without replacing them in no more than one minutes time can be deemed an offence by the presiding admin (depending on circumstances).

Pausing the game is NOT allowed no matter what the reason's behind it. Any way of interfering with the connection of the opposing team (e.g. by any type of flooding or crashing servers) is obviously prohibited. We reserve the right to treat any behaviour that is deemed to be unsporting as an offence and will be dealt with appropriately, at the discretion of the admins.

Playing in more than one clan, or playing under someone else's name in another clan (mercing).

If any clan or player is caught doing any of the above they will be punished at the crew's discretion. This could be a warning, point’s deduction or a ban from EQL.

Please remember what the game is about, having a good time. Quake is a gentleman’s sport you know!


Server Settings

Team: 4on4 only. EQL is a 4on4 and 2on2 league and all games MUST be played 4on4/2on2. If you cannot field 4/2 players, you should not be in the league.

Timelimit: 20 minutes
Overtime: 5 minutes if match is a draw (Should always be set before game start)
Deathmatch mode: 1
Team play mode: 2
Spawn mode: Either KTX Respawns or KTPro Spawn is to be selected, no other modes are allowed unless both teams agree otherwise or neither spawn mode is available on the desired server.
Powerups: ON
Discharge: ON
FPS: A max of 77 fps is allowed.
KFjump: Toggled OFF (command = tkfjump)
Airstep: OFF
Jawnmode: OFF

Fallbunny is desired to be turned ON.
However:
- Being unable to enable fallbunny on the server the game is played on is not enough reason to change servers. There will be no "We can't elect an admin here and thus can't turn on fallbunny. We can't play here".
- If clans forget to enable fallbunny before play, this is NOT enough reason for the map or game to be replayed. There will be no "The game needs to be replayed. Fallbunny was OFF".


Map pool
The played maps are,
for 4on4: dm2, dm3, e1m2, cmt3, cmt4.
for 2on2: dm2, dm4, dm6, aerowalk, ztndm3.


Clan Restrictions

A player may not change clans after 3rd week of the EQL season. A player can only play in 1 clan at the same time. No team may add/swap more then two players after the regular season have started. And all players have to be approved by the admins before they can play any games at all. A clan can never manually switch divisions (if admins don't agree different), they'll have to earn their way up or lose their way down.

There is a player limit of 8 players/clan. With this we hope to increase the activity on the scene. Players that are in "lineup 3" should reconsider playing in another clan. Since there is a player limit of 8 and you might have problems with getting players playing, we have created a possibility to "swap" players.
It works just like the player addition thing; you'll just have to remove another player from your roster if you have 8 players signed in the league and want to add a new one. So shortly: playerlimit 8/clan and player addition/swaplimit: 2/season. If there are major problems with fielding players then contact an admin. (You can't swap back players, or if you do, it costs you all your additions)

In EQL5 a wildcard per division will be used so that we can move one team that for some special reason, deserves a slot in a different division. Regarding "new" clans that did not participate in previous EQL, we will try to put them in the correct division right away, they will not all be in division 5. EQL7: Since there is left a very small amount of the same clans as in the last seasons we have decided to skip following the rule just mentioned. Clans will therefore be added where ever we consider the clans should play.


Walkover

If a team leaves WO twice it will be disqualified (removed from EQL). However teams won’t be able to claim WO unless some very serious efforts have been made in trying to schedule the match. A WO will give 3 points and a 3-0 win with 100-0 on each map.


Scoring and ranking

If a team win the first two maps then the match will end 3-1 in points, otherwise it will end 3-2 in points. To separate teams with equally many points, MW, ML & +/- are used (in that order).

Simple version:
Activity points/game = 1. Mapwin = 1 point.
Mapwins:
2-0 = 3-1 in points
2-1 = 3-2


Qualifying/relegation

Bottom2 teams in the regular season will be moved down one division the following EQL if they play all matches and requests it. The only way for inactive teams to get relegated is by wildcards. Top2 teams in the regular season will be moved up one division.


Playoffs

Top3 (a/b) or top4 in each division goes to playoff with best of 5 games directly in the semis!
#1 vs #4 and #2 vs #3! Or if the division is divided due to a big number of clans then it will be like this: [1a] vs [2b], [1b] vs [2a].


Season

A season is 5 weeks long, 2 weeks of playoffs/qualifying.


Schedule

A game schedule will be released at least 1 day before a season starts, a clan have to play a certain amount of games and they will challenge everyone in their division once in the regular season and possible one more time in the playoff. We will provide a schedule where each team has one or two matches every week.


Reschedule

A team can reschedule each match once, i.e.: a match can only be scheduled twice. To have a fairly up to date schedule teams may not reschedule to an earlier date within 24 hours before the original date and time. All matches have to be played within a week from the original date.


Match duration

Match shouldn't last longer than 2h. i.e.: this is the amount of time each clan has to book to play the game. If for any reason the game isn't finished within 2h since scheduled time, clans may contact an admin to decide what follows. Admin can either, blame one team and give the other WO on remaining maps or let the team reschedule the remaining maps (see Reschedule paragraph).


Reporting Matches

In order for a match to be valid you'll need to have screenshots from each played map. The admins will be the ones who validate a match, so the match and points will not be added until it have been verified by a certified admin. And please update shots that are not too big size wise, and also consider that the scores should be readable.


Fakenicking

Fakenicking is not allowed, even if the fakenicking player is listed on the clan’s roster but under a different nick. A player has to play with the nick he's listed as on the teams roster or else the clan will receive a warning. Using a fake nick in matches will be treated as using an unlisted player. The first time it happens the team will be warned and the second time the team will be disqualified (removed from EQL)


New players

All players have to be approved by the admins before they can play any games at all.
(see top page for player additions/swapping)


Warnings and disqualification

To retain order in the league and prevent clans from cheating effectively we may issue warnings to teams if they misbehave in some way. When a team has received two warnings they will get disqualified from the league.


Spectators

Specs from the same clan as the ones playing are not allowed to be directly on the server, only allowed to spectate through a qizmo with observing possible.
This should fix the cam problem that there is in several games and the player can jump straight into the game without any delays if a player timeouts.
Notice that autotrack has to be toggled on when spectating (or observing own players) to avoid accusations of ghosting.

Server problems

If a server gives 2 or more spikes that gives packetloss 100 to all players for more than 10sec, the map should be replayed on another server if the clans does not agree to the score/situation. NOTICE! Play the map to the end anyways; the admins will decide if it will be counted. (In other words, don't stop playing if players don’t time out or something during the spikes)


2on2 special settings below

If there is nothing mentioned about having any other kind of rule in the 2on2 than in the 4on4 league there probably is none. Mistakes might happen so remember common sense and if you find something that should be written here then contact an admin. Admins keeps all rights to change the rules during season.

General settings are the ones you get with writing "2on2" in console but following ones should clear some small differences:
In those maps which have powerups "ON" remember to check that dropquad if OFF. All maps are played dmm3. Timelimit is 10min with 3min overtime. And if there is a 3rd map played the clans drop maps, if problems with deciding who will drop first use the: "cmd rnd team1 team2" command.

Powerups and special settings for maps:
DM2: Powerups ON
DM4: Powerups OFF
DM6: Powerups OFF
AEROWALK: Powerups ON
ZTNDM3: Powerups ON


Players in the 2on2 league

All players in the 4on4 roster are allowed to play their own clans 2on2 games. So you could actually play 4 official 2on2 games at the same time. But as it's possible to play several games at the same time make sure that not other players from you clan are playing the same clan at the same time.


Divisions

The divisions are the same as in 4on4, so you will also play all 4on4 opponents as a 2on2 game. The level of skill might be quite different in 2on2s compared to 4on4s, but as probably most of you already know the skill difference is usually most depending on which map is played. The playoffs have the same system as in the 4on4 games.

Notice that the scores of 2on2 league have nothing to do with 4on4 league!


(Some of the rules are directly from NQR's rules page, some are modified. So the rules are based on EQL/NQR/Smackdown rules combined.)