Overview
Teams will have 30 minutes after match start time to join the lobby. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.
The Home Team creates the private matches following the instructions displayed on PlayVS and must only start the game after both players have entered the lobby,
Coaches must be in the room monitoring while matches are in session.
Coaches and players are encouraged to communicate with the opposing team via the lobby chat.
No spectating. Coaches/Players cannot join a match as a spectator. If either team is found to be spectating the match, it’s an automatic loss for that round or match at PlayVS' discretion.
IT Steps: Day of match (at least 1 hour before)
Restart each console.
Update the patch for the game by starting the game on each console as this will trigger a check for any updates.
Give your IT department a heads up and have them on standby if any technical issues come up during matches.
Match Format
Please reference the Game Format rules found in the latest Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Rulebook.
Teams each consist of groups of three (3) players. Each team will compete in a match consisting of three (3) game sets.
Matchups are configured in the order players are set on the roster. Please ensure your players face off against the correct opponent. Matches played using alternative matchups will be required to be replayed.
The winning side of each set will award 1 point to their team to help determine the overall match score. After a team has won two out of three sets, the team with the most set wins will be declared the winner of the match. All sets are in a best-of format with the total game wins needed dependent on the current league’s phase format as found below.
Match Setup Steps
Each coach and player must log in his/her account at app.playvs.com. Players should see a new sidebar with match information.
The match page will indicate which team is the home team, and which is the away team. The Home team will set up the match with the instructions below.
Important: Both teams are responsible for inputting match results.
Home players will open Smash Ultimate on the Nintendo Switch.
Setup Instructions - Home Team
Launch Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Select “Online” in the main menu then select "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate".
Select "Battle Arenas" then "Create Arena"
Choose the "Rules" and use the image below as a guide.
Type in the password from your Player Dashboard.
Note: You will not be able to copy and paste, you will have to manually type it in.
Set Rule Settings and Create Match using the following rules:
PlayVS Rules Settings
Style: Stock
Stock: 3
Time Limit: 8 minutes
Damage Handicap: Off
FS Meter: Off
Items: None
Advanced Rules Settings
Stage Hazards: Off
Team Attack: On
Launch Rate: 1.0x
Score Display: Off
Show Damage: Yes
Rotation: Bottom One Leaves
7. Save the ruleset with the name "PlayVS."
8. Confirm match settings with both coaches and select ‘Save.’
9. Press the “+” button or select the "Next" button in the bottom right corner.
10. Share the Arena ID in the Match Lobby Chat.
Join Instructions - Away Team
Wait until the Home Team creates an Arena and sends an Arena ID through Match Lobby Chat
Launch Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
Select “Online” in the main menu.
Select “Smash” in the Online menu.
Go to “Battle Arenas”.
Choose “Join Arena.”
Select the “Enter ID” option.
Type in the Arena ID and password provided by your Opponent in the PlayVS Match Lobby Chat.
Confirm match settings with your coach and click “Next.”
Choose a Stage & Fighter
Players will go through a stage striking process before each game in their set to determine the stage played. The process for the striking order is outlined in the Stage Pick Order below. Only stages in Stage List (below) are eligible during competitive play between players in PlayVS competitions.
Stage List
The Maps available for play are listed below. No maps outside of this list can be played as part of an official PlayVS match.
Starter Stages: These are the only stages allowed for Game 1 of a set.
Battlefield
Final Destination
Pokémon Stadium 2
Smashville
Small Battlefield
Counterpick Stages: These stages are added to the stage pool ONLY in Game 2 and onward of a set.
Town & City
Kalos Pokémon League
Yoshi’s Story
Stage Pick Order Game 1
Stage Strike Order (Only Starter Stages) |
Home Player ➤ Strikes 1 stage from the list |
Away Player ➤ Strikes 2 stages from the list |
Home Player ➤ Strikes 1 stage from the list |
Remaining Stage is chosen for play |
Stage Pick Order Game 2 and Onward
Stage Striking Order (Starter + Counterpick Stages) |
Winner of Previous Game ➤ Strikes 2 stages from the list |
Loser of Previous Game ➤ Chooses stage to play from remaining list |
Special Rules
Mii Fighter
Mii Fighters must use their default costumes (though players may select any color for their Mii) and must use a Guest Mii. Any player who intends to use a Mii during a set must declare they are creating Mii Fighters before the set. Mii
Fighters should be named after the combination of special moves chosen, listed in the format “XXXX.” Each X is a number between 1 - 3 which will designate the special ability chosen in each slot from top to bottom when assigning special abilities to the Mii Fighter.
Players MUST also communicate in match lobby chat their Mii Fighter set up so that their opponents are aware of the move selection before going into game.
Example:
Player A chooses “Mii Fighter - Brawler”.
Player A chooses the following Special Abilities from Top to Bottom
Neutral Special : 1 Shot Put
Side Special: 2 Burning Dropkick
Up Special: 1 Soaring Axe Kick
Down Special: 3 Counter Throw
Mii Fighter’s Name should be then set to: 1213
This will allow the opponent to know what moveset to expect from that Mii Fighter when facing them.
Player A communicates in Match Lobby Chat that he is using a 1213 move set spread so that their opponent is aware.
Any combination of moves may be used, but any movesets that any player may want to use during a set must be created before the set begins (up to a limit of three Mii Fighters).
Sudden Death
In the case that the match timer runs out and Sudden Death is triggered, the winner of the Sudden Death will win the game round.
Stage Return
The loser of the previous match chooses the next stage. The loser cannot choose any stage they have already won on in the current set. They may choose a stage they have lost on, if their opponent agrees.
Game 1 Setup
Change Fighter: Players may choose any available fighter.
Change Preferred Stage: Players will decide which stage to select from the list by following the process outlined in Section 1.5.2 of the Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate rulebook.
Both players must choose the same preferred stage after striking.
Game 2 and Onward Setup
Home players will take a screenshot of the victory screen using the “Capture” button on the controller.
Change Fighter: Both players may change their fighter if they wish. The winner of the previous game must pick first to give the loser of the first game an opportunity to counter-pick. The fighter swap MUST be communicated in match lobby chat by the game winner. The losing player then will communicate in chat which fighter they are swapping to or if they are sticking to the same fighter. After this, they may move on to stage select.
Change Preferred Stage: Players will decide which stage to select from the list by following the process outlined in Section 1.5.3 of the Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate rulebook.
Important: If a player wins Game 1 and Game 2 of the set, Game 3 will not need to be played.
Post-Game Process
Please find all post game instructions for this title in How the Match Assistant Works with Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate.
Important: By default, rulebooks overrule game day protocols. Please reach out to support if you find conflicting information.
Changelog
V2.98 2022-2023
V2.98 - 09/09/22 //Updated Post-Game Process JM
V3.0 - 2/2/23 // Updated post-game process to refer to Match Assistant -AK & MB