View the Competition Rulebook for league details.
Introduction and Purpose
These official rules of the PlayVS Scholastics Esports League apply to each of the teams who have registered and met the requirements for the 2025-2026 school year, as well as their head coach, assistant coaches, vice principals, athletic directors, starters, substitutes (collectively team members), and other members.
1. Game Rules
1.1 Game Account Connections
Players will not need to connect a game account to their PlayVS profile before competition. The account being used in competition must be shared in match lobby chat by the match day point of contact.
1.2 Roster Requirements
Team members must be eligible to compete on behalf of their school as listed in section 2. Team Member Eligibility of the league's Competition Rulebook.
Each league page will list the number of players necessary to fill a team’s roster and bench. No individual may simultaneously hold two or more roles as listed above. All players and coaches are expected to be present physically or virtually for all official PlayVS matches. The roster and bench must be finalized before the roster lock date, as listed in section 3.4 Roster Submission of the league’s Competition Rulebook.
1.3 Substitutions
Substitutions must be made before the start of each game by using the Match Assistant to change the roster and re-confirm rosters during the roster confirmation step.
Once a game of record is established, the starting player may not be changed. Once the game is complete with results reported, a player substitution may be made using the PlayVS Match Assistant if necessary for the following game.
Brawlhalla is a solo esports title, meaning there may only be one active player in a match at any given time. However, teams needing to adjust their roster due to their unique competitive situation can utilize the one (1) bench spot should any roster changes need to be made.
1.4 Game of Record
A game of record (GOR) in Brawlhalla is established under the following conditions:
In-game timer reaches the end of the countdown and states “Brawl”.
Once GOR is established, game restarts will only be allowed under limited conditions as listed in section 7.4 Game Restart of the league’s Competition Rulebook.
1.5 Stoppage of Play
Directed Pause
At any time, League Officials may order the pause of a match at the sole discretion of League Officials. Teams may complete the current game and finalize the results.
Player Disconnection
If a player disconnects from the online match during a game, a notification will appear stating which player has disconnected. A computer will automatically take control of the disconnected player, so the remaining player must confirm the remaining lives of each player, and then exit the game.
The disconnected player must indicate the reason for the disconnection in the match lobby chat within 10 minutes or risk a loss for the set. Please provide a screenshot for all disconnects as proof of when the disconnection happens.
If the disconnected player can return within the 10-minute window, the game must be recreated to the state at which the disconnect occurred, including the lives count, but exclude damage.
The lobby must be set up once more with the same Legends, stances, and map selected.
Once in-game, players can jump from the stage to reduce their life count, if necessary (damage percentage will not be reset). Once the game is reset, the match should continue.
If the disconnected player, or their coach for the team, has not shared any updates in the match lobby chat within the 10-minute window, notify PlayVS Support immediately for further assistance.
1.6 Equipment Failure/Controller Disconnect
In the event of an equipment failure that causes an in-progress game to be stopped, the offending player will forfeit the individual game. If an in-progress game is not halted, the player may work to reconnect. By default, equipment failure does not require a game restart.
1.7 Match Format
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Each team will compete in a Bo3 games match. The winner of each game will be determined by the player that reduces their opponent’s life count to zero.
Unless otherwise stated, this format applies to all phases within a PlayVS season.
All matches within the season will share the same match format as listed above, regardless of phase.
1.8 Specific Rules
Legend and Stance Locking
First game: The away team must lock in their Legend and Stance before the home team.
Second and third game: The winning team of the previous game must lock in their Legend and Stance before the losing team.
After both teams are locked in, the lobby can move forward to choose their in-game map.
Map Selection
First game: The home team must strike all but three stages from the map pool.
The away team may then choose from the remaining three stages by striking two.
Second and third game: The losing team of the previous game must strike all but three stages from the map pool.
The winning team of the previous game may then choose from the remaining three stages by striking two from the map pool.
2. Player Equipment
2.1 Equipment
Each player on the starting roster must have access to school-provided equipment or must be permitted by the school to provide their own equipment in the following categories:
Compatible console, computer, or mobile device.
Compatible controller, or keyboard (for PC).
Stable Internet connection.
Copy of Brawlhalla for any compatible device.
3. Match Process
3.1 Pre-Match Setup
Teams must follow section 6.2 Pre-Match Setup in the league’s Competition Rulebook as they prepare to join their match.
3.2 Match Lobby Setup
Follow Brawlhalla Match Instructions for lobby creation setup and joining the game lobby.
3.3 Match F.A.Q
Spectating
To avoid giving any team an advantage, spectators should be removed from spectating unless both coaches have agreed to allow for a spectator by following section 7.7 Match Spectating from the league’s Competition Rulebook.
In-Game Content Updates
Brawlhalla is a live-service multiplayer game that may release new content patches with updated Legends or abilities while the season is occurring.
Any Legends currently disabled in-game by Blue Mammoth Games will not be available for use during official PlayVS matches.
All PlayVS matches will occur on the most up-to-date patch, and any Legend is eligible for use in PlayVS matches unless otherwise stated by League Officials.
In-Game Taunting
There is an in-game action called emote. The speed and interactions of this action vary by fighter and typically leave the user vulnerable to their opponent’s attacks. Use of this in-game action is not an exploit and, therefore, not taunting as listed in the PlayVS Code of Conduct.
4. Post-Match Process
4.1 Results
If the match is completed using the PlayVS Match Assistant tool, then in-game statistics and results will be recorded at each game's conclusion.
In the event that the PlayVS Match Assistant cannot be used, then statistics will not be tracked, and the match results will need to be submitted manually within 1 hour of match completion. Players should take screenshots of the match results and share those with their coaches.
In the event of an error, coaches must contact PlayVS directly.