Elementor #103

MPL KH Season 8

Open Qualifier Tournament Rules

OFFICIAL OPEN QUALIFIER FOR MPL KH 

1. Overview

1. Registration Period:

1. Open Registration: 23 Jan 2025
2. Close Registration:  6 Feb 2025, 6pm

2. MPL KH Qualifier:

1. Qualifier Phase 1 - Online (Single Elimination)

1. Qualified Round 1 - BO1 (256 - 128 Teams)

10 - 11 Feb 2025

2. Qualified Round 2 - BO1 (128 - 64 Teams)

13 - 14 Feb 2025

3. Qualified Round 3 - BO3 (64 - 32 Teams)

16 - 17 Feb 2025

2. Qualifier Phase 2 - Offline at ED Office

1. MPL KH S7 teams ranking 7th and 8th place will be place in 32 teams
2. Teams match up will be re-draw in round of 32 teams
3. Qualified Round 4 - BO3 - Offline ( 32 - 16 Teams)

20 - 21 Feb 2025

4. Qualified Round 5 - BO3 - Live (16 - 8 Teams)
   27 - 28 Feb 2025
5. Teams will be re-draw to group stage in round of 8 teams
6. Qualified Round 6 (BO2) - Group Stage Live

1 - 2 Mar 2025

7. Semi Final and Road to MPL - BO5

8 - 9 Mar 2025

3. MPL KH Season 7 teams ranking 7th and 8th place will be placed in Qualified Round 4 in 32 teams.
4. Teams relegated from MPL KH S7 can enter the qualifiers with a new roster and do not require any carry over from the previous season.
5. Qualifier Team Roster Lock will be on  6 Feb 2025 by 06:00 PM.
6. Qualifier teams must retain their registered players after the MPL KH S8 qualifiers into the MPL KH S8 Regular Season. They will only be allowed to change/add their coach &/or analyst by (. - Date - .? ). Coaches/Analysts are not allowed to possess dual roles within the roster.
7. Teams that qualify to round 4 32 teams must be present their ID to the committee to verify the info.
8. Qualifier teams who qualify for the regular season can only add/release players during (i) the specified transfer window (ii) if the maximum roster does not exceed 10 players maximum.
9. Media Day (for MPL KH S8 Teams) : XX/XX/XXXX (tentative)

MPL KH S8 Qualifier schedule:

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2. Qualifier Format

3. Player Requirement

1. Players below the age of 16 are not allowed to join this qualifier. Players must pass the birthdate of 6 Feb 2009 in order to be considered 16 years of age.
2. Players are not allowed to join more than 1 team for each qualifier. If players are found joining 2 teams, both represented teams will be disqualified from the qualifier.
3. Players must be available for all tournament dates, including potential post-tournament interviews or other tournament events of MPL KH Season 8.
4. The act of registering for this  tournament implies full acceptance of all terms, conditions, rules and regulations stated, in its entirety.
5. All teams active line up can only have a maximum of 2 foreign players.
6. All registered teams must have 6 players minimum and 10 players maximum
7. All registered teams can include a coach and analyst.
8. All team member must be in the same team squad in game
9. Teams from MPL KH Season 7 ranking 7th & 8th place can be adjust the whole roster
10. Players from MPL KH Season 7 that have been release from the MPL KH teams can be participate in the MPL KH S8 qualifiers

4. Team Requirement

1. Team captains are expected to have Discord installed on their devices.
2. A team must consist of the following members:

1. 5 main players (necessary);
2. 1 to 5 substitute player (necessary);
3. 1 Head coach (Optional)
4. 1 Analyst (Optional)
5. At least 1 manager;

3. Qualified teams that have made it into MPL KH S8 will be allowed to add in a Coach/Analyst before the MPL KH S8 roster lock date on the xxxx
4. Team roster cannot be changed after roster lock.
5. If a team is qualified for the MPL KH S8 Regular Season, The team can only change the players vacancies during the transfer window following the transfer rules.
6. Teams are prohibited to replace any of the registered players including the reserved player throughout the qualifier event.
7. Teams must retain the submitted roster from the MPL KH S8 Qualifier into the MPL KH S8 Regular Season until the first transfer window.
8. Teams are required to submit a team logo upon reaching the Top 16 of the qualifier.
9. Teams are required to produce a team shirt/jersey and jacket for their players upon successfully qualifying for the regular season of the league. Players are required to wear said shirts during media day and official MPL KH S8 events at all times.
10. Teams are allowed to get their own sponsors throughout the season. However, the following categories of sponsors are strictly prohibited which include but not limited to:

1. casino or gambling websites;
2. websites displaying or related to pornographic imagery or products;
3. firearms, handguns, or ammunition providers;
4. alcohol;
5. drugs;
6. tobacco or cigarettes, including e-cigarette and vaping products;
7. account sharing/skin selling websites
8. third party payment platform;
9. another product or service that Moonton determines are detrimental to the MPL or in a competitive relationship with Mobile Legends: Bang Bang mobile game.
10. Web3, Cryptocurrencies, Trading platforms or products similar;

11. Teams must announce and inform the Qualifier Operating Committee and Moonton if the team has signed any preseason agreements with other organizations outside of the MPL KH ecosystem. Failure to inform the Operating Committee will jeopardize the teams participation in MPL KH S8
12. Top 16 teams must inform Moonton and the Operating Committee of any existing sponsors and the capacity of involvement with the team ie; monetary sponsor, partial/full team ownership, industry of company, etc. Moonton will have the final discretion on the decision of allowing/rejecting sponsors to be part of the team.
13. Qualifier Teams will have to announce and inform Moonton and the Operating Committee if they are currently participating in any other 3rd Party Tournament during the MPL S8 Qualifiers. If teams are part of other 3rd Party Tournaments, they may need to renounce their participation status to participate in MPL KH S8 Qualifiers unless informed and approved by the Operating Committee.
14. By registering, Teams acknowledge that all usage of photos, videos, and any form of recording during the tournament have been given legal consent by the players for media and marketing purposes.
15. An organization may have a maximum of one team representing them in MPL KH Season 8. If an organization is caught having more than one team representing them, they will be disqualified from the tournament. A check will be done in the round of Top 32 to ensure that there are no teams represented by the same organization.

5. Team Names, Team Logos, and Player Names

1. Team Names and Team Logos

1. Team names and logos must only contain English characters, numbers, single space between words only.
2. When applying with the MPL official for the use of any Team names, the Team shall also provide a short name of the contemplated Team name, length is 2-4 characters, which must only contain English characters, numbers, plus sign (+), minus sign (-), underline (_) and single quotes (‘’). Unless otherwise specified by the Team, the MPL official is entitled to use, at its own discretion, the full Team name and/or the short Team name on any occasion.
3. The verification of the images or the names of sponsors are allowed to be shown in Team Logos and Team Names but they cannot be the same as the trademark and the name of the sponsors. Team Logos and Team names cannot use any logo with which exists any copyright issues.or any logo with which exists any copyright issues.
4. Team names that consist of 2 separate entities are highly discouraged and will be subject to approval of the Moonton Operating Committee.  
5. Team name will be allowed to change prior to the roster lock period and will be subject to approval of the Moonton Operating Committee.
6. The MPL official reserves the final right to approve Team names and logos.
7. Any applications regarding changes to Team names or logos must be submitted to the MPL official at least 3 days in advance, the new name or logo can only be used after obtaining approval. Teams can only apply to change their name during the Transfer Window Period and can only apply to change their Name once within each Transfer Window Period.

2. Player Names

1. Player names must only contain English characters, numbers or single space between words only. The length should be 4 to 12 characters. Player Names cannot contain a sponsor's name, cannot be similar with any brand, also any players names that may cause misunderstanding is not allowed.
2. In case of duplicated names, the player should change the name after consulting the authority.

3. Common Restrictions

No additional special characters will be allowed for Team names, Logos or Player Names (including underscores, slashes, etc.). Team Names, Logos and Player Names may not contain: vulgarities or obscenities; names related to the hero characters in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang or other similar characters; or other contents that may create confusion.

6. Communication

1. DISCORD shall be used as the communication tool for the MPL KH S8 Qualifiers between team representatives and the MPL KH tournament marshals.
2. For questions or feedback you may contact the MPL Official League Ops. team at Discord 
3. Each team must have a representative present at the MPL KH Discord Channel to be notified of the match up announcement and other announcements.
4. Use a username the same as your team so as to make it easier for MPL Official to find
5. Teams must install Discord as it will be the main communication channel for all Qualifier Teams. All Players, Coaches, Managers and Team Personnel are encouraged to join the discord channel.
6. Team Personnel will need to follow the naming format of ' Team_PlayerName_Role ' in the Discord channel. For example; ED_Garyy_P.

1. P - Player
2. C - Coach
3. M - Manager
4. TP - Team Personnel (if any other)

7. Reporting Match Wins and Disputes

1. Match wins must be reported using the match results in the discord channel #match-reports.
2. A screenshot of the victory screen is required.
3. Match wins are to be submitted as soon as the match ends. Failing to submit the result of the match within 10 minutes after the match ended may result in a loss for both teams.
4. Disputes must be reported using the disputes form provided in the discord channel.
5. Screenshots as evidence of claims are recommended to quicken the process.  
6. Any disputes regarding the matches should be reported within 10 minutes of the matches finishing. Any disputes after the 10-minute mark will be subject to the decision of the marshal whether to pursue or not. As always, the marshal holds the final say regarding tournament details.
7.  Screenshots for results submission must showcase the hero icon and not the profile picture of the player in order for marshals to ensure that players are not using banned heroes.
8. In the event players choose any banned heroes during a BO1, it will result in an automatic disqualification.

In the event players choose any of the 3 banned heroes during a BO3, it will result in an automatic loss and the point will be given to the opposing team

8. Ping Test

1. There will be no ping test for the online qualifier round 1, 2, and 3
2. Ping test will be conducted from round 4 onward (offline).
3. Before every match begins from round 4, teams must conduct a ping test. This is to check the connection of each player before an official match starts.
4. To conduct a ping test we will create the match lobby for both teams to play until 2 minutes have passed, or if both teams are satisfied or have issues with their ping.
5. If the connection of each player is agreeable to both teams, then the teams are to start the official match.
6. If no ping test is done when the official match is conducted, no remakes may be requested due to internet connection issues.
7. For online online qualifier round 1, 2, and 3 after the official match starts, no rematches will be allowed if any of the teams have connection issues. Players are responsible for their own Internet connection.

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9. Tournament mode and format

1. 256 teams will be randomly draw for the match-up
2. Online qualifier round 1, 2, will be play in the Best of 1 Single Elimination format
3. Online qualifier round 3 will be play in the Best of 3 Single Elimination format
4. From round 4 onward will be offline qualifier at ED office
5. Round 4 32 teams, Team in 7th & 8th place from MPL KH S7 will be place in that round
6. Teams match up will be re-draw in round of 32 teams
7. Round 4 32 team will be play in the Best of 3 Single Elimination
8. Match from round 5 will be livestream
9. Round 5 16 teams will be play in the Best of 3 Single Elimination
10. Round 6 8 teams will be in group stage Best of 2
11. Teams will be re-draw to group stage in round of 8 teams
12. Top 3 teams from each group will advance to next round
13. Top 1 team of each group will place in the final round
14. Semi-final teams match up :

• Match 1 : Top 2 group A vs Top 3 group B,
• Match 2 : Top 2 group B vs Top 3 group A

1. Final round match up

• Top 1 group A vs Winner Match 1
• Top 1 group B vs Winner Match 2

1. Round 7 Semi-Final and MPL KH S8 Spot will be play in the Best of 5
2. The match in online qualifier phase 1 are not allowed to be pause
3. The match in offline qualifier, players can request  pause upon raising the hand and give out the reason for pause.
4. All players must only use their own game account that has registered with to take part in all matches.
5. If players join the lobby with the wrong registration account ID the marshal has a right to kick from the match lobby.
6. All round / matches will be play in Tournament mode
7. Hero or Skin that banned the official will be alert to the teams before the qualifier start
8. During the online qualifier, referees have the rights to remake the game in case any false players join the lobby as observers. The remake match will start with a re-draft heroes.
9. From round 5 16 teams the teams will be using tournament device : iPhone 15 Pro

10. Match-ups, Tardiness and No Shows

1. Side Selection

1. Best of 1 : team on the left side of the schedule will be on the blue side and team on the right side of the schedule will on the red side
2. Best of 3 & 5 : Teams’ sides for Game 1 in the BO3 Matches will be decided by coin flip. The team that wins the coin toss will have the privilege of choosing sides in the Odd Game (Game 1,3,5) and the losing team will choose in the Even Game (Game 2, 4) whether to be the Red Side or the Blue Side.

2. Selection Error : During offline qualifier, In the event of a hero pick/ban error, the team in error must notify the Referee of their intended selection within three seconds and before any other team has locked in their next selection, and during the communication with the officials. If so, the process will be restarted and brought back to the point at which the error occurred so that the team in error may correct their mistake.
3. Teams are expected to be in the in-game lobby and at the studio. Maximum 10 minutes waiting time.
4. The designated time during the main qualifiers is 30 minutes before the broadcast schedule of the match or by the start of the second match of the previous round, whichever comes first.
5. The broadcast schedule will be communicated to the teams by the league admin at least a day ahead of the scheduled match.
6. If any team is not ready during the designated time, their opponent can take a default win by contacting an admin and having him check the lobby.
7. If both teams agree, they can delay for a maximum of 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, whoever has the most players in their team will take a default win and must report to an admin and have him check the lobby.
8. The match can start unless both teams have players 5 vs 5.
9. In order to keep the match on schedule, teams may not wait more than 10 minutes, or both teams may get disqualified.
10. If the previous match has been cancelled because of a disqualification, the next teams are expected to be ready.
11. In the offline qualifier all team members must be present. If a team does not have 5 players present for the match that team will be disqualified due to missing players. 
12. The coach can be substituted in for 1 player if 1 player is not present?

11. Cheating and Unsportsmanlike Conduct

1. Players proven to have been cheating, conspiring to cheat, or acting in an unsportsmanlike conduct will receive consequences upon the review of their action.
2. Cheating is defined as any practice that gives an unfair advantage to a team or player. The following actions will be considered unfair play and will be subject to penalties at the discretion of the MPL official.

1. Collusion. Collusion is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more Players, Head Coaches, Teams, and/or confederates to disadvantage opposing Players. Collusion includes, but is not limited to, acts such as:

1. Soft play, which is defined as any agreement among two (2) or more Players to not damage, impede or otherwise play to a reasonable standard of competition in a Game.
2. Pre-arranging to split prize money and/or any other form of compensation.
3. Sending or receiving signals, electronic or otherwise, from a confederate to/from a Player.
4. Deliberately losing a Game for prize money, or for any other reason, or attempting to induce another Player to do so.

2. Competitive Integrity. Teams are expected to play at their best at all times within any MPL Game, and to avoid any behavior inconsistent with the principles of good sportsmanship, honesty, or fair play. For the sake of clarity, team composition and the pick/ban phase will not be considered when determining whether this rule has been violated.
3. Hacking. Hacking is defined as any modification of the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang game client by any Player, Team or person acting on behalf of a Player or a Team.
4. Exploiting. Exploiting is defined as intentionally using any in-game bug to seek an advantage. Exploiting includes, but is not limited to, acts such as: glitches in buying items, glitches in neutral minion interactions, glitches in Heroes ability performance, or any other game function that, in the sole determination of the MPL official, is not functioning as intended.
5. Spectator Monitors. Players who are playing in a Game are not permitted to look at or attempt to look at any screen or device that is displaying an observer level view of that Game (i.e., that is or is capable of showing a neutral view of the map).
6. Ringing. Playing under another Player's account or soliciting, inducing, encouraging or directing someone else to play under another Player's account.
7. Cheating Methods. The use of any kind of cheating device and/or cheat program, or any similar cheating method such as signaling devices, hand signals, etc.
8. Intentional Disconnection. An intentional disconnection without a proper and explicitly-stated reason.
9. MPL official Discretion. Any other further act, failure to act, or behavior which, in the sole judgment of the MPL official, violates these Rules and/or the standards of integrity established by MPL for competitive game play.

12. Changes to the Rules Above

1. The Tournament Admin has the right to overrule any of the rules above. This is to avoid players trying to use a loophole in the rules to gain an unfair advantage.
2. Moonton, at their discretion, may change any of the rules. They have the final decision with regards to anything about the tournament.