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LASERFORCE
Official Tournament League Rules
Plain English Version
To really understand the game of Laserforce, we need to understand the rules by which we play. Following is a version of the rules for all to understand, taking as much misrepresentation away as possible. For the sake of convenience only, all players are referred to in the male gender. (referred to as “he”)
Glossary of Terms and Symbols:
Hit Zone: A hit zone is defined as a section of a battlesuit that emits an infrared signal
Ie: any part of a suit you can score a hit on an opponent, whether lights are flashing or not.
Staff Member: A staff member is defined as a member of staff who is at the time on duty, and who is not playing in the current league mission.
Target/Targeting: Targeting is defined as the act of pointing a phaser at a target in such a manner as to facilitate a shot of any type being fired at the target or the obtaining of a missile lock on the target. Where two-handed phasers are used, a player who does not have both hands on the phaser is not deemed to be targetting.
To point your phaser at something that emits an infrared signal such as a shoulder, phaser, or generator target. This includes targeting the infra-red of your opponents suit when it is reflecting off an object (eg a wall).
Visible Hit Zone: A visible hit zone is defined as a hit zone that also incorporates visible, flashing lights.
The bits on your suit that has flashy lights and can be shot by your opponent.
(*) Penalties marked with a star may be called without being requested by a team in the Player Moderated penalty resolution system.
Under the “Player Moderated Penalty Resolution System”, penalties with the (*) beside the title can be called by the referees without the opposition team having to lodge a complaint after the game.
(X) Penalties marked with an X may be imposed upon a player once they have been notified as described in the Laserforce Tournament Referees code of conduct.
This symbol means before a player can be penalised more than once for the same offense, he must be warned. After he is warned, he can be penalised every time the opposing team and any referee agree the offense is committed hence. Only one warning is necessary. Penalties marked (X*) mean a player can be penalised without complaint by the opposition but must be warned before he can be penalised more than once.
1. ILLEGAL LANGUAGE (*)
(a) A player may not use offensive or abusive language that is publicly audible while participating in a league mission. A league mission is deemed to begin when the first player in that mission logs on and ends when the outcome of the mission is finalised by the referees. Publicly audible is defined as:
heard by two referees who are at least 10 metres apart,
or heard by any staff member or referee not in the playing arena,
or heard by any referee and considered loud enough to be heard from a public viewing area.
This rule is quite simple. Do Not Swear. Aside from the obvious, words that can be offensive to anyone must be taken into account –eg bitch, bastard, prick, and crap to name a few. Even the use of God and Jesus Christ can be offensive to some people. Although some will disagree, definitely how a word is used will determine whether it is offensive or not. GOLDEN RULE – If you were a parent, and you brought your young child to play, would you like your child to hear what that person just said?
(b) A player may not taunt or insult an opponent or referee while participating in a league mission. A league mission is defined as above.
This one is a bit more involved than part (a). You can insult a person without swearing at them – eg stupid idiot, fat twit, calling someone dense. Implying a player is cheating also falls under this category. However you can point out rule infringements to referees without directly referring to your opponent.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 1000pts
2. LEAVING STARTING AREA (*)
Players must have their feet completely inside their teams starting area at the time at which the first player receives a mission start signal in their battlesuit. Each playing arena will have a precise definition of its designated starting areas.
Fairly self-explanatory. It doesn’t matter where the first player who receives the start signal is in relation to the “front door”, or which team they are on. As soon as the first player receives start tone, all players can enter the playing arena.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 1000pts
3. LEAVING PLAYING ARENA (*)
A player may not leave the playing arena during the mission unless:
They have been eliminated, and have received an end mission signal,
or they have been directed to do so by a referee or staff member,
or they are injured and unable to continue,
or they are involved in other mitigating circumstances as judged by the referees.
The first three are self-explanatory. Be careful with the last ruling. Just because your suit shut down right next to the field exit and it is quicker to just leave and fix the problem than find a referee may not be a good enough excuse.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 1000pts
4. PHYSICAL ABUSE (*)
(a) A player may not deliberately or carelessly engage in any form of harmful, potentially harmful or threatening physical contact with any other person, piece of equipment or part of the playing arena.
Laserforce is a non-contact sport. Do not hit, attempt to hit, or threaten to hit any player or referee. This includes pushing, jostling, tackling, or any other action during which someone will get hurt. Referees are loath to penalise anyone for Physical Abuse because the points penalty is so great. For most 50/50 offences, it is better to err on the side of caution. However if a player is moving around the field too quickly and is involved in a collision where someone is hurt, then that player should be penalised to the full extent if all the fault lies with the player who is moving too fast.
(b) A player may not in any way tamper with or deliberately cause the malfunction of, any part of the equipment or technical systems.
If you do deliberately do anything that causes your suit or the game to stop working properly, then you will be penalised.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 5000pts
5. DANGEROUS PLAY (*)
A player may not play in a manner likely to unreasonably endanger the safety of other players.
Do not confuse this with Physical Abuse. Dangerous Play is for aspects of player movements where if something were to go wrong, someone might get hurt. Eg a player who moves too quickly around the field could be subject to a Dangerous Play penalty if the referee decides the player will hurt someone should a collision occur. If a collision occurs and someone gets hurt means the player could be subject to Physical Abuse if the other player involved did not contribute to any possible hurt through their actions. Too often Dangerous Play penalties are imposed because referees see this as an easy way out. Even more often they are not imposed at all simply because no collision happened. Referees need to see past this and into what could happen if that player does run into someone. Many players need to learn the 2nd hardest way to slow down.
Another aspect of Dangerous Play is the “dalek” – a player who moves with arms outstretched, including around corners. This player can quite easily harm another simply by arriving at a corner at the wrong time.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
6. BLOCKING
(a) A player may not deliberately block a passageway, corridor, doorway, or other confined space so that an opponent is unable to pass, or their motion is unreasonably hindered.
The key word here is “deliberate”. Just because someone is in the way does not mean they should be penalised. “Deliberate” actions entail standing in the way, moving too slowly, moving along a path with the intention of backtracking but not turning soon enough or quickly enough to allow other players free access. As soon as your opponent makes it clear to you they wish to move through the area you are occupying, you must allow them to pass and you must move out of the way quickly.
(b) A player involved with an opponent in contention of an area less than two metres wide must move to and draw their phaser close to their body. The player must make at least one half of the area available to their opponent.
This part of the rule is fairly simple except for one item most referees miss – BOTH players must make one half of the area available to their opponent. If two players are approaching each other from opposite directions and only one moves aside, the other player should be penalised for blocking. The same should apply when two players are moving in the same direction and one wishes to overtake the other. If both players move to the side, then neither should be penalised provided part (a) hasn’t been breached.
Golden Rule – everyone has a right to 50% of every area less than two metres wide.
(c) A player or group of players may not deliberately surround an opponent such that they are unable to escape.
This part is quite simple. But remember – the action needs to be “deliberate” for the penalty to apply.
(d) A player may not deliberately move to block an opponents motion or attempted motion. A player may, however, remain stationary provided they are not infringing rules (a), (b) or (c).
Again the key word is “deliberate”. Basically, if you are not in an area less than two metres wide, you may stand still and others can move around you.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
7. REMOVING EQUIPMENT (X)
(a) A player may not deliberately remove any part of their equipment during the period delimited by their start and end mission signals, except where:
They have been directed to do so by a referee or staff member,
or they are injured and unable to continue
or they are involved in other mitigating circumstances as judged by the referees.
Again, this rule is quite simple, whilst you are involved in playing a game, you cannot take your suit off. This includes holding the suit behind a wall while you stand in plain view zapping opponents. Of course if you are injured or your suit has malfunctioned, you will be able to remove your suit.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 1000pts
(b) A player who has removed any part of their equipment (whether legally or illegally) may not use their phaser in any manner until there are once again wearing their equipment in the proper manner.
If your suit has been taken off your body, it cannot be used at all. This includes activating specials (nukes, rapid fire, resupply boosts). You also cannot point it at any player. If there is a problem with your phaser, and you are not wearing your suit, let the referee test it.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 5000pts
8. SITTING OR LYING(X)
(a) A player may not sit or lie down, or continue to sit or lie down, unless they are injured. A player is deemed to be sitting or lying if they are contacting the floor with any part of their body or equipment other than their feet and/or a single knee.
This rule is in for safety reasons. The logic behind it is from any position a player may be stationary in, kneeling with only one knee is hardest position a player may be will be able to move quickly enough from to avoid possible injury. Note you cannot even rest your phaser on the floor if your hand is holding it.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 1000pts
(b) A player may not deliberately use their phaser to target an opponent who is legally sitting or lying down (ie injured).
Another “deliberate” keyword. If the referees see you point your phaser at an opponent who is injured on the floor, you should be penalised. However, if you just came around the corner and didn’t see the opponent in time to point your phaser elsewhere, you should get away with it. Similarly, if the opponent is prostrate in a dark area, and it is not obvious to you that he/she is sitting or lying down, again you should get away with it, although it may take some conversing with referees to do so.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
(c) A player who is sitting or lying down (whether legally or illegally) may not use their phaser in any manner until they are no longer sitting or lying down.
Simple, they cannot target you, so you cannot target them. Also you cannot activate specials (rapid fire, nukes, power boosts), taking away that option (you are the last player on the field on your team, you have a nuke and cannot find a safe place to activate it, feign injury, pull nuke, bonus 2000 pts for opposition).
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
9. CLIMBING (X*)
A player may not climb on or over, or jump over or off any part of the playing arena.
To avoid being penalised for climbing, it is best to keep both feet on the ground, especially when attempting to lean over a railing or similarly placed low wall. You may jump up and down, provided it is on the one spot and doesn’t breach the Dangerous Play rule.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
10. SWAPPING GUNS (X*)
A player may not use, or attempt to use any phaser other than their own.
This includes zapping the target for your resupply hiding around the corner.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 5000pts
11. LOITERING (X*)
A player who has been prematurely eliminated from a mission and has received an end mission signal must immediately leave the playing arena by the most direct route. While exiting, they may indicate to other players that they have been eliminated, but no other communication or interaction is permitted.
When your suit says, “Game Over”, then you must leave the field. Saying anything other than “I am dead” or “I have been eliminated” or “I am out of the game” will probably get you penalised. Going over to look at any in-field monitor will also get you penalised.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 1000pts
12. ILLEGAL INTERACTION (X*)
A player who has been eliminated and has left the playing arena may not have any further interaction of any sort with the mission in progress. They are not permitted to proceed to any public viewing area (with the exception of off-field monitors), or communicate in any manner with any of the remaining players. This restriction also applies to any non-playing member of a playing team.
Once you have left the field, you cannot go back. Nor for that matter can you go anywhere you can watch the remainder of the game on the field, except for TV monitors that are not placed on the field. You also may not call out to the players on the field, talk to any persons still playing through field entrances, or talk to any player who has shut-down or is injured and has left the field if there is a chance they will continue playing. Non playing member of a playing team is a reserve or team member who showed up too late for the game start.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 5000pts.
13. SHIELDING (X)
(a) A player may not deliberately target an opponent with their phaser unless they:
have a direct line of sight to the opponents visible hit zones,
or are sighting directly down their phaser barrel.
You cannot “target” (point your phaser) at an opponent unless you can see his flashing lights or you are looking directly down your phaser barrel. The second part allows you to shoot when you receive a “lock-on” tone even when you cannot see what you are locking on to, thus allowing the “reflection shot”
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(b) A player may not deliberately block, with any part of their body, clothing, or equipment, an opponents shot at the visible hit zones of any other player or eligible in-field target. A visible hit zone is defined in the glossary.
This part of the rule is about shielding other players. You cannot use any part of your body (including hands, arms, legs, and hair), your clothes, or your suit (gun, pack, etc) to stop an opponent from shooting someone else or the extra targets (generator, def droid, neutral targets, flags, etc). The referee must determine that the shielding was deliberate before you can be penalised.
(c) A player may not block, with any part of their body, clothing, or equipment, nor use any other player, referee, or any part of the playing arena to block all of their shoulder hit zones from an opponent whom they are targeting with their phaser, unless the blocking object is closer to the opponent than it is to the player themselves. (Should a player have both shoulder hit zones blocked from an opponents view by different objects, both blocking objects must be closer to the opponent otherwise the player will be in breach of part (c)).
When you are pointing your phaser at an opponent, you must have at least one shoulder hit zone visible to the opponent you are targeting. If you are trying for a shot where your opponents infra-red is reflecting off an object (eg a wall), then you do not have to be able to see each other. However, what is blocking your view of your opponent, or your opponents view of you, must be closer to your opponent than it is to you.You can have both of your shoulder hit zones blocked by different things. If either of these objects are closer to you, then you may not target your opponent until this situation is rectified.
(d) A player, when not targeting an opponent, may use only their torso and/or permanent playing field constructions to block an opponents shot or attempted shot at any of their hit zones provided they are not breaching parts (a) (b) or (c).
This part of the rule covers what you are allowed to cover your lights with when you are not trying to shoot back. Basically what it says is when you are not trying to shoot back (eg pulling a nuke) the only things you are allowed to hide your shoulder lights with are your torso (no arms, legs, head, etc) and permanent parts of the playing arena.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
NOTE: (A warning for multiple infringements of this rule only apply for the same type of breach occurring in the same place at the same time. If a player shifts his position (even a step to one side) he is to be considered to have had the opportunity to stop breaching the rule and should be penalised as a separate breach)
14. ILLEGAL TARGETING (X)
Where two-handed phasers are used, a player may not deliberately use their phaser to obtain or attempt to obtain a lock-on of any type on an opponent without both hands on the phaser.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
This penalty closes the loophole opened by the change to shielding part (d) and the change to the definition of targeting. If you do not have two hands on the gun, you are not targeting, but if you try to get a lock-on with only one hand on your gun, say around a corner, then take the shot with both, you breach this rule. The action must be deemed by the referees to be deliberate.
15. CHASING
A player may not move more than a total of three metres along the same path as that of a deactivated opponent with the result of targeting them while they are deactivated. If a player has followed a deactivated opponent for a total of more than three metres without targeting, that player must wait for a period of two seconds after his opponents suit has reactivated before he may target that opponent.
A path is defined as beginning from the point where a players suit is deactivated, following the positioning of that player's feet during all their movement, and ends when the suit reactivates. The width of a players path extends from the centre point of their body, perpendicular to either side, and is terminated either side at a distance of two (2) metres or by a permanent field construction, whichever is closer.
Plain English (Updated July 25th, 2006 by Tragedy)
1. While a opponent's suit is deactivated, you may follow him along the same path
2. If you follow him, after 3 metres you may not point your phaser at him while he is deactivated, deliberate or not. Up to 3 metres is ok.
3. If you have followed for more than 3 metres, you must wait an additional two seconds after your opponent' suit has reactivated before you may target. (This is to prevent medics in SM5 being unfairly targetted and prevents players in limited hit point games being followed out of the game without recourse)
4. If you have followed for less than three metres, and then your opponent's suit reactives, you may continue to follow and target without waiting the additional two seconds.
5. If you chase more than one player along the same path, you will be penalised for each player you follow, eg if you follow and target three opponents, you will be penalised for three chases.
6. It does not matter where your opponent's suit is deactivated.
7. It does not matter if your suit is active or not.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
16. SHOULDER TILTING (X)
The shoulder hit zones must sit on the peak of the shoulders beside the head at all times. A player may change the position of their body, however the shoulder hit zones must be considered as if they are equally hittable from both the front and the rear while the player is in a standing position.
This means that no matter how the player is positioned (standing, leaning back, bent forward, etc), the shoulder hit zones (shoulder lights) always sit in the same position. Referees should watch players who shift these during play and perhaps award a “conduct” penalty as well if they deem it to be a deliberate breach.
Penalty to be applied for each breach: 2000pts
NOTE: (A warning for multiple infringements of this rule only apply for the same type of breach occurring in the same place at the same time. If a player shifts his position (even a step to one side) he is to be considered to have had the opportunity to stop breaching the rule and should be penalised as a separate breach)
17. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT (*)
A player may not act in a manner that brings the league into disrepute. Punishable behaviour may include but is not limited to:
verbal abuse or intimidation of referees or other players after the game.
or extreme or repeated breaches of other rules,
or patently obvious or blatant rule violations in an attempt to eliminate the opposing team.
or use of non-standard Laserforce equipment
This is the rule you have when there is no other rule to cover bad conduct, including those players who just like to cheat their way through a game. Laserforce is meant to be a fun game, win or lose, and a “win at any cost” attitude is not what the game is about. It also covers dummy-spit, temper tantrums, and the like. Non-standard Laserforce equipment is anything other than everyday clothing, and your Laserforce battlesuit, ie no two way radios, mobile phones etc may be used during a game.
The penalty can be anything considered reasonable by the referees, including but not limited to one or more of the following: any point penalty, or automatic loss of game, or suspension from one or more future games, or restrictions on character class played in one or more future games.
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