KAMPFSTUBE PREMIER LEAGUE

Premier League Rules

The official rulebook of the Kampfstube Premier League – Season 2.

Season

Season 2

Format

Best of Three

Core Principle

Fair Play

🏆 KAMPFSTUBE PREMIER LEAGUE

Official Rulebook – Season 2

The Kampfstube Premier League is a competitive VGC league designed to provide a fair and competitive environment without introducing unnecessary restrictions beyond the official competitive format.

As a general rule: Anything that is legal under the official regulation used for the respective Matchweek may also be used in the KPL.

All participants are expected to act responsibly, follow Fair Play principles and treat each other with respect.

1. 📋 General Rules & Participation

1.1 Acceptance of the Rulebook

By participating in the Kampfstube Premier League, every Trainer accepts the currently valid rulebook.

Each participant is responsible for keeping themselves informed about the rules as well as any officially announced amendments or clarifications.

“I did not read the rule” or “I did not know about it” does not exempt a Trainer from the consequences of a rule violation, provided that the rule was already valid and properly published at the time of the incident.

1.2 Personal Responsibility

The KPL expects every participant to take a reasonable level of personal responsibility.

This includes, in particular:

  • arranging the match time with the respective opponent,
  • providing a correct OTS on time,
  • complying with the applicable regulation,
  • ensuring that the necessary technical setup is ready,
  • correctly submitting results and team information.

League Administration is not responsible for personally reminding every participant of their obligations.

1.3 League Placement

Players are assigned to a division based on their competitive qualification.

For new participants, the information provided during registration may be taken into account, including for example:

  • self-assessment,
  • previous tournament and league achievements,
  • other relevant VGC experience.

League Administration retains final authority over league placement.

A clearly highly qualified player will not be artificially placed into a significantly lower division solely because they have not previously participated in the KPL.

1.4 No Free Choice of Division

A participant will generally compete in the division for which they have qualified competitively or to which they have been assigned by League Administration.

A voluntary move to a lower division is not permitted.

The same applies to a competitively earned promotion:

A Trainer who earns promotion and participates again in the following Season will compete in the higher division.

A Trainer may not decline promotion while simultaneously retaining their previous spot in the lower division.

1.5 Skipping a Season

Previous league placement does not grant a permanent right to return to the same division.

If a Trainer skips one or more Seasons and later returns, their competitive placement will be reassessed for the new Season.

This is particularly important because VGC changes regularly through new Regulations, available Pokémon and other competitive conditions.

2. 🏟️ League Structure & Placement

Each division generally consists of 10 Trainers.

The actual number of divisions offered depends on the total number of participants.

2.1 Promotion & Relegation

For a division consisting of 10 Trainers:

PlaceResult
🥇 1st PlaceDirect Promotion
🥈 2nd PlaceDirect Promotion
🥉 3rd PlacePromotion Playoff
4th–7th PlaceRemain in the Division
8th PlaceRelegation Playoff
9th PlaceDirect Relegation
10th PlaceDirect Relegation

For the highest and lowest available divisions, these rules apply only where further promotion or relegation is actually possible.

2.2 Vacant League Spots & Replacement Procedure

If additional spots become available between Seasons, League Administration will decide case by case how those spots are filled.

Existing competitive claims resulting from the regular promotion and playoff system will be taken into account.

However, no automatic right to promotion exists solely because of a specific finishing position.

In particular, finishing 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th in a lower division does not automatically entitle a Trainer to move into the next higher division when a spot becomes vacant.

The available player pool and the competitive qualification of potential participants may be taken into account when filling open spots.

3. 📅 Season Structure, Matchweeks & Scheduling

3.1 Matchweek

A regular Matchweek generally runs from:

Monday 00:00 until Sunday 23:59 (CET/CEST).

The scheduled Set should generally be completed within this period.

3.2 Initial Contact

Both Trainers are required to contact their opponent no later than Wednesday of the current Matchweek.

A short message confirming contact is sufficient.

The purpose of this rule is to ensure that both Trainers know early enough that their opponent is available and that sufficient time remains for scheduling and preparation.

This does not mean that the final match time must already be fixed by Wednesday.

3.3 Evidence in Case of Missing Communication

If no response is received or scheduling is not possible despite timely contact, the affected Trainer must inform League Administration in a timely manner.

Screenshots of the relevant conversation should be submitted as evidence.

Violations of the communication requirement will be documented.

As a general guideline:

  • 1st violation: Warning
  • 2nd violation: possible Match Loss for the respective Matchweek
  • 3rd violation: possible removal from the league

League Administration will always consider the circumstances of the individual case.

3.4 Scheduling the Set

The Trainers are generally responsible for arranging the exact time of their Set within the Matchweek.

Rescheduling within the Matchweek is permitted as long as both Trainers agree.

No separate approval from League Administration is required.

3.5 Confirmed Match Time & Lateness

Once a specific time has been agreed upon, it is considered binding.

In the event of a no-show:

  • 10 minutes late: Game 1 is forfeited
  • another 10 minutes: the complete Set is forfeited 0:2

A reasonable record of the agreed match time and the missing response must be available.

3.6 Short-Notice Rescheduling

An already agreed match time may be changed at short notice if:

  • there is a reasonable explanation,
  • another match time is still realistically possible,
  • both Trainers agree to the change.

A last-minute cancellation does not create an automatic right to a replacement date.

If the opponent does not agree to the rescheduling, League Administration may review the case.

3.7 No Shared Availability

If both Trainers have fulfilled their communication obligations and can demonstrate that they genuinely attempted to find a common time, League Administration should be contacted.

League Administration may allow an extension or a rescheduled Set.

If no common time can be found even during the approved extension and neither Trainer is responsible for the situation, the Set may be recorded as 0:0.

3.8 Inactivity by Both Trainers

If both Trainers fail to meet their communication and scheduling obligations, League Administration was not informed in time and the Set is not played, both Trainers receive a 0:2 Match Loss.

A communication violation may additionally be recorded for both Trainers.

3.9 Inactivity by One Trainer

If one Trainer contacts the opponent on time and can demonstrate that the opponent remained unresponsive for a significant part of the Matchweek or responded so late that the Set could no longer reasonably be completed, the Set may be awarded 2:0 to the active Trainer.

The inactive Trainer will accordingly receive a 0:2 Match Loss.

3.10 Extensions

Sets should generally be completed within the scheduled Matchweek.

In justified individual cases, League Administration may grant an extension.

An extension is an exception and not an automatic entitlement.

League Administration will set a new binding deadline for the specific case.

4. ⚔️ Match Format & Regulation

4.1 Best of Three

All regular league encounters are played as a Best of Three (Bo3).

The following terminology applies:

  • One individual battle = Game
  • The complete Best-of-Three encounter = Set

The Set ends as soon as one Trainer has won two Games.

The normal possible Set results are therefore:

2:0 or 2:1

4.2 Applicable Regulation

Each Set is played under the Regulation officially announced for the respective Matchweek.

All Pokémon, forms, moves, Abilities, Items and other game mechanics that are legal under that Regulation may generally be used.

4.3 Regulation Changes During a Season

If the official VGC Regulation changes during an ongoing Season, the KPL may introduce a transition Matchweek.

During that Matchweek, both opponents may jointly decide whether to play under the previous Regulation or the newly released Regulation.

If no agreement is reached, the previous Regulation will be used during the transition Matchweek.

From the date announced by League Administration onward, the new Regulation becomes mandatory for everyone.

If the previous Regulation is no longer technically playable, League Administration may shorten or remove the transition period.

4.4 Legal Strategies

The KPL does not ban a strategy simply because it is difficult, defensive or frustrating to play against.

Any legal strategy and legal win condition may be used.

This includes, for example:

  • Stall
  • Perish strategies
  • status-based strategies
  • Sleep
  • timer-based win conditions
  • Accuracy/Evasion mechanics
  • any other strategy legal under the current Regulation

The opponent has the opportunity to prepare for these strategies before the Set and to respond to them during play.

4.5 Timer

The official in-game timers provided by Pokémon Champions are part of the competitive game.

If playing toward the timer is a legal win condition, the Trainer may fully use that strategy.

5. 📄 Open Team Sheets & Team Lock

5.1 OTS Requirement

Before Game 1 begins, both Trainers must provide their opponent with a complete and accurate Open Team Sheet.

The OTS must include:

  • 🔥 Pokémon Form
  • ⚔️ all four Moves
  • ⚡ Ability
  • 🎒 Held Item
  • 🧬 Nature

EVs are private information and do not need to be disclosed.

5.2 Timing of the OTS Exchange

The OTS may be exchanged before entering the lobby or during Team Preview.

The important requirement is that both Trainers have access to the opponent's OTS before Game 1 begins.

5.3 Responsibility for Reading the OTS

If a correct and accessible OTS has been provided, it is the recipient's responsibility to actually open and review it.

A Trainer who chooses not to review the OTS cannot later claim a restart or other remedy on that basis.

The OTS may be checked again at any time during the entire Set.

5.4 OTS Error Discovered Before a Game Starts

If an error is discovered before the Game begins, it may be corrected.

The Game can then be started normally.

No Game Loss is issued simply because an error was found and corrected before the Game started.

5.5 OTS Error Discovered After a Game Starts

If a relevant discrepancy between the OTS and the team actually being used is discovered after a Game has started, the current Game will generally be treated as:

a Game Loss for the responsible Trainer.

The error may then be corrected and the Set may continue legally.

If the necessary correction cannot be made, the offending Trainer must forfeit the remaining Games required to complete the Set.

5.6 Wrong OTS Link

If an outdated or incorrect OTS is accidentally sent to the opponent, the same rules apply.

Discovered before Game 1: replace the link → no penalty.

Discovered after Game 1 has started: current Game Loss → provide the correct OTS → continue the Set.

5.7 Accidentally Selecting the Wrong In-Game Team

If it is noticed at the beginning of a Game that the wrong team was accidentally selected in Pokémon Champions, the Game may be stopped and restarted using the team that was actually intended for the Set.

The mistake must be communicated immediately.

The OTS originally provided for the Set and the corresponding intended team remain binding.

5.8 Team Lock

Once Game 1 begins, the team is locked for the entire Bo3.

The following may not be changed during the Set:

  • the six Pokémon
  • Pokémon forms
  • Moves
  • Abilities
  • Items
  • Natures

The four Pokémon selected for an individual Game and the Lead choices may of course change between Games.

5.9 Free Team Choice Between Sets

There is no Season-wide Team Lock.

Trainers may freely choose their team between different Sets.

A Trainer may use completely different teams in different Matchweeks or even in two different Sets played on the same day.

5.10 OTS Lock

An OTS used for a KPL Set may not be edited, expanded, deleted or intentionally made inaccessible after the Set has started.

The OTS must remain in the state in which it was provided to the opponent for that Set.

Intentional later modification may be treated as tampering with evidence or an attempt to deceive League Administration.

A new OTS may of course be created for a later Set.

6. 🎮 Playing the Set

6.1 Lobby Creation

The Trainers decide among themselves who creates the Pokémon Champions lobby.

Whenever possible, it is recommended that the Trainer with the more stable internet connection hosts the lobby.

6.2 Player Input Errors

Misclicks or input errors during an ongoing Game are generally the responsibility of the Trainer who made them.

Examples include:

  • selecting the wrong target
  • accidentally pressing a button multiple times
  • Joy-Con drift
  • accidentally choosing the wrong Move
  • other player-side input mistakes

An ongoing Game will therefore generally not be restarted because of such an error.

6.3 Personal Hardware

Each Trainer is responsible for their own hardware.

If a controller stops working during a Game, the Trainer may connect another controller or use the Joy-Cons attached to the Switch.

The Game and all in-game timers continue running.

If Pokémon Champions performs automatic actions because no input is received, those actions remain part of the Game.

The result determined by Pokémon Champions remains valid.

6.4 Problems Between Games

If a technical issue occurs between two Games, the next Game will only begin once both Trainers are ready again or once the applicable grace period has expired.

7. 🔌 Technical Issues, Disconnects & Bugs

7.1 Connection Loss During a Game

In the event of a connection issue, Pokémon Champions' handling of the situation is authoritative.

If a Trainer is able to reconnect to the ongoing Game, the Game continues.

Any automatic actions performed by Champions during the Trainer's absence remain part of the Game.

7.2 Victory Screen & Lobby Log

If a Game ends normally, the Victory Screen shown by Pokémon Champions determines the winner.

For relevant connection or lobby issues, the lobby creator may open the Lobby Log using ZL.

The Lobby Log may show which Trainer was responsible for a disconnect and how Pokémon Champions officially recorded the affected Game.

In a dispute, this log should be preserved as evidence.

7.3 Local Wi-Fi / Connection Issue

If a Set cannot continue between Games because of a local connection problem, the affected Trainer will generally receive up to 10 minutes to restore a playable connection.

The Trainer may use another connection or, where available, a mobile hotspot.

If the Set still cannot continue after the grace period, the remaining Games required for the opponent to win the Set are forfeited.

Games that were already completed remain valid.

7.4 Power Outage

In the event of a complete power outage, a grace period of up to 20 minutes may be granted due to the exceptional circumstances.

If play still cannot resume afterward or there is no reasonable indication that the issue will be resolved soon, the remaining required Games are forfeited.

Public outage information may be used by League Administration for verification where necessary.

7.5 Technical Issues Before the Set

If a technical issue occurs before the Set begins and prevents the Set from starting, the situation is generally treated as a scheduling issue rather than a technical Game Loss.

The Trainers should arrange a new time themselves.

7.6 Bugs & Glitches

Knowingly exploiting a known or clearly unintended bug or glitch in order to gain a competitive advantage is prohibited.

Intentionally triggering an exploit may be treated as Cheating.

7.7 Unintentional Pokémon Champions Error

If an error is clearly caused by Pokémon Champions itself, the Game may be restarted and reconstructed if the previous game state can still be reasonably reproduced.

Where possible, the following should remain the same:

  • the same teams
  • the same Leads
  • the same previous decisions

If the Game is already too far advanced to allow a meaningful reconstruction, or if the Trainers disagree about the reconstruction, the Set should be paused and League Administration contacted.

7.8 RNG During a Reconstruction

The Trainers' decisions are reconstructed, not the original RNG.

Critical Hits, misses, flinches, status activations, damage rolls and other random events are not artificially reproduced.

If different RNG occurs during the reconstruction, the new outcome stands and the Game continues from that position.

7.9 Errors During a Reconstruction

If an obvious accidental input error occurs during the opening turns of a reconstruction, the reconstruction may be restarted from Turn 1.

If the same Trainer repeatedly makes such errors, there is no right to unlimited restarts.

The affected Game may then be ruled a Game Loss.

8. 📊 Results, Deadlines & Team Overview

8.1 Result Form

After a regular Set is completed, the result must be submitted through the designated result form.

The form only needs to be submitted once per Set.

The two Trainers may decide whether the winner or the loser submits it.

8.2 Required Information

The Trainer submitting the result provides:

  • the actual Set result
  • their own OTS/Poképaste link
  • the opponent's OTS/Poképaste link

The same links that were already exchanged before the Set may be used.

8.3 Automatic Discord Publication

After the result form is submitted, the result and both team links are published by the Premier League Bot in the designated Discord channel.

From that point onward, the information is considered public league information.

8.4 Team Overview

The submitted team links are additionally collected in a central Team Overview.

Participants can review previous OTS links from all Trainers and Matchweeks.

Once published, these OTS links may freely be:

  • viewed
  • shared
  • analysed
  • used for preparation

8.5 Missing Result Submission

If the result or required team information is still missing after the Matchweek ends, the affected Trainers will be notified when the following Matchweek is announced.

From that notification onward, a final:

12-hour deadline

begins.

The missing information must be submitted completely within those 12 hours.

If the deadline also expires without a complete submission, both Trainers will generally receive a 0:2 Match Loss.

8.6 Obvious Submission Errors

Obvious typing, transcription, form or calculation errors will be corrected once discovered.

Examples include:

  • accidentally entering 2:0 instead of 2:1
  • submitting the wrong Poképaste link in the result form
  • duplicate form submissions
  • incorrect table transcription

Such a correction does not constitute a new competitive ruling of the Set.

Important:

If the correct OTS was used during the actual Set and only the wrong link was copied into the result form afterward, this is not an OTS Game Loss. It is simply a form entry that must be corrected.

8.7 Recommended Result Documentation

Trainers are encouraged to briefly document the result of their Set.

This may be done through:

  • a screenshot of the result screen
  • a video recording
  • a short mutual confirmation in chat

Such documentation is not mandatory.

However, in the event of a later dispute, League Administration can only rule based on the evidence that actually exists.

8.8 Conflicting Result Reports

If the two Trainers provide conflicting results, the correct result will be determined from the available evidence.

If the actual result cannot be established clearly, League Administration will decide how the situation is handled.

9. 🏆 Standings & Tiebreakers

A Set win awards 3 points.

A Set loss awards 0 points.

Standings are determined in the following order:

1. Points

2. Game Differential

3. Number of Games Won

4. Head-to-Head Result

If the Trainers are still tied after all of these tiebreakers, an additional deciding Set will only be played if the exact placement is competitively relevant.

This may include:

  • Championship placement
  • direct promotion
  • Promotion Playoff qualification
  • Relegation Playoff qualification
  • direct relegation

A tie between, for example, 5th and 6th place does not need to be played out if it has no sporting consequence.

9.1 Standings Errors

Obvious formula, calculation or transcription errors will be corrected once they are discovered.

9.2 Final Standings

After the regular Season ends, League Administration will manually review the final standings.

Promotion, relegation and playoff places will only be finalised based on the manually verified standings.

Once officially published, the verified final standings are considered final.

10. 🤝 Fair Play, Coaching & Scouting

10.1 Preparation Before a Set

Before a Set begins, Trainers may freely:

  • build teams together
  • analyse matchups
  • play practice Games
  • discuss strategies
  • research public information
  • receive help from other people during preparation

This also applies to inexperienced Trainers.

10.2 The KPL Is an Individual Competition

Participants in the same division are direct sporting competitors.

Targeted cooperation within the same division in order to disadvantage another competitor through private information or coordinated matchup planning is contrary to Fair Play.

Being part of the same organisation, community or esports team does not change this principle.

10.3 Public Scouting

Any publicly available information may be used for preparation.

This includes, in particular:

  • the Team Overview
  • previous OTS
  • public tournament data
  • Streams
  • VODs
  • YouTube videos
  • publicly played teams

A Trainer may also ask another person to collect or analyse publicly available information on their behalf.

10.4 Public Information Is Not a Guarantee

If a future opponent publicly used a particular team the previous day, a Trainer may of course consider that information during preparation.

However, it remains only an assumption.

Because team choice is free between Sets, there is no guarantee that the same team will be used in the upcoming KPL Set.

10.5 Confidential Information

Knowingly obtaining, requesting or organising the distribution of non-public information about a future opponent's specific team or matchup preparation is prohibited.

10.6 Unsolicited Information

Merely receiving unsolicited information does not constitute a rule violation.

A Trainer cannot be punished simply because someone sent them information without being asked or because they accidentally saw something.

The relevant distinction is the intentional acquisition or organised distribution of confidential information.

10.7 Live Coaching

Once the Best-of-Three has started, no third party may actively provide strategic decisions to a Trainer.

This applies for the entire Set, including the time between Games.

Prohibited live assistance includes advice regarding:

  • Moves
  • Targets
  • Switches
  • Leads
  • Reads
  • specific decisions during the ongoing Set

The Set itself must be played independently by the participating Trainer.

10.8 Personal Tools

Trainers may use personal tools of their choice.

These may include personal notes, Damage Calculators, Speed Tier lists or comparable tools.

10.9 Voice Call Between Opponents

The two direct opponents may remain in a Voice Call together during their Set.

Whether and how much they speak to each other is entirely up to them.

10.10 Spectators in the Champions Lobby

If a third person is to spectate the Set directly through the Pokémon Champions lobby, both Trainers must be informed and must agree.

The spectator may, for example, observe or record the Set, but may not actively coach or interfere.

11. 🚫 Match Fixing, Forfeits & No-Shows

11.1 Match Fixing

Any agreed manipulation of a Set or Game result is strictly prohibited.

This includes, in particular:

  • agreed wins or losses
  • prearranged 2:0 or 2:1 results
  • intentionally giving away individual Games by agreement
  • manipulating a result to influence promotion, relegation or survival
  • offering any kind of compensation in return for a specific result

It does not matter whether money or any other form of compensation is involved.

11.2 Manipulating Individual Games

The prohibition also applies to individual Games.

Because Games Won and Game Differential can affect the standings, individual Game results may not be intentionally manipulated through prior agreement.

As soon as one Trainer has won two Games, the Bo3 is complete.

Any additional Game played afterward has no effect on the official result.

11.3 Poor Performance Is Not Evidence

Misplays, unusual selections, surprising teams or a one-sided result are not by themselves evidence of Match Fixing.

A sufficient evidentiary basis is required before Match Fixing can be sanctioned.

11.4 Voluntary Game Forfeit

A Trainer may voluntarily forfeit a Game at any time.

The Game is recorded as a loss for that Trainer.

A voluntary forfeit does not by itself constitute Match Fixing, even if the result affects promotion, relegation or playoff qualification.

11.5 Full Set Forfeit

If a complete Set that has not yet started is forfeited, the opponent will generally receive a 2:0 win.

11.6 Unjustified No-Show

An unjustified no-show may additionally be documented as a violation of the participation requirements.

12. 🎥 Streaming, Recordings & Content

12.1 Recording

Recording a Set is not mandatory.

Each Trainer may decide for themselves whether they want to create content from their KPL Sets.

12.2 Livestreaming

KPL Sets may be livestreamed.

A Stream Delay is not mandatory.

12.3 Stream Sniping

The current opponent may not watch the other Trainer's livestream during the ongoing Set.

It is also prohibited to receive information from the opponent's stream through a third party.

The absence of a Stream Delay does not justify Stream Sniping.

12.4 Publication

Trainers may upload their own KPL Sets immediately after the match as videos or VODs.

There is no spoiler embargo.

12.5 Video Link

A YouTube or video link is not required when submitting the result.

The link may be provided to League Administration later.

If both Trainers recorded the Set and make their videos available, both perspectives may be included and linked.

12.6 Official KPL Matchweek Preview

If a Trainer provides League Administration with their match video or a link to it, short spoiler-free clips may be used for the official KPL Matchweek Preview.

The complete videos of the respective Trainers will be linked or clearly credited as part of the coverage.

12.7 Official Completion of a Matchweek

The Matchweek Preview will be published once the available material has been reviewed and edited.

There is no fixed mandatory publication day.

Once the Matchweek Preview has been published, the Matchweek is considered competitively complete.

Normal later complaints regarding completed in-game situations will generally not be reopened afterward.

Obvious typing, transcription or standings errors may still be corrected.

13. 🔄 Withdrawal, Removal & Playoffs

13.1 Voluntary Withdrawal WITH a Replacement Player

If a Trainer voluntarily withdraws early in the Season and League Administration appoints a replacement player, all Sets and results already completed remain valid.

The replacement player takes over the existing league spot in full, including:

  • points
  • Game Differential
  • current position in the standings

From the point of replacement onward, the new Trainer plays the remaining Sets.

13.2 Timing of a Replacement

A replacement is generally considered when a Trainer leaves during the first third of the Season.

This is explicitly not a rigid Matchweek cutoff.

League Administration will determine whether a replacement is still practical based on the current stage of the Season, the timing of the withdrawal and organisational feasibility.

13.3 Voluntary Withdrawal WITHOUT a Replacement Player

If no replacement player is appointed, all remaining Sets are recorded as 0:2 losses for the withdrawn Trainer.

Previously lost Sets remain losses.

Previously won Sets by the withdrawn Trainer are retroactively changed to 0:2 losses.

This prevents other Trainers from gaining an unfair advantage or disadvantage solely because of when they happened to play the withdrawn participant.

13.4 Removal From the League

Removal from the league is different from a voluntary withdrawal.

If a Trainer is removed due to serious misconduct, no replacement player will be appointed.

All remaining Sets are recorded as 0:2 losses.

Previously won Sets by the removed Trainer may also be retroactively changed to 0:2 losses.

13.5 Playoff Pairings

After the regular Season has ended and the standings have been manually verified, the playoff pairings will be publicly announced.

The two involved Trainers then arrange their own match time.

They only need to inform League Administration:

  • when the Set will be played
  • where / in which lobby the Set will take place

Prior approval of the chosen time is not required.

13.6 League Administration Attendance

League Administration may spectate the playoff Set if scheduling allows.

Their presence is not required for the Set to take place.

13.7 No Strict Playoff Deadline

Because the regular Season has already ended, the playoffs do not use a strict Matchweek deadline.

The Trainers should aim to complete the Set during the current week where possible.

If scheduling does not allow this, additional time may be granted.

13.8 Regulation Used for the Playoff

If the official Regulation changes immediately before the playoff period begins, the Regulation used during the final regular Matchweek remains the default Regulation.

If both Trainers agree, they may instead play the playoff under the new Regulation.

13.9 Rules During the Playoff

The same:

  • match rules
  • OTS rules
  • Team Lock rules
  • technical rules
  • Fair Play rules

used during regular KPL Sets also apply to the playoff.

13.10 Reporting the Playoff Result

After the playoff is completed, the participating Trainers report the result directly to League Administration.

League Administration will then enter and document the playoff result.

13.11 No-Show for a Playoff

An unjustified no-show is handled in the same way as a regular Set.

The Trainer who fails to attend will generally lose the playoff 0:2.

If a reasonable short-notice emergency occurs, a new time may be arranged.

13.12 Withdrawal Before the Playoff

If a Trainer declares before the playoff that they are giving up their league spot or will not participate in the following Season, the now competitively unnecessary playoff does not need to be played.

The scheduled playoff opponent receives the corresponding league spot.

13.13 Withdrawal After Winning the Playoff

If a Trainer withdraws only after having already played and won the playoff, the playoff result remains valid.

The newly vacant spot is filled through the normal replacement procedure.

The losing playoff participant does not automatically receive the spot afterward.

14. ⚖️ Evidence, Sanctions & League Administration

14.1 Evidence

In the event of a dispute, the available evidence determines the ruling.

Suitable evidence may include, in particular:

  • complete video recordings
  • screenshots
  • Pokémon Champions Lobby Logs
  • chat histories
  • the OTS used for the Set
  • publicly verifiable technical outages
  • other suitable documentation

A complete video recording can be especially strong evidence in complex in-game disputes because previous Moves, stat boosts, drops, Speed Control and other relevant game states can be reviewed.

14.2 Conflicting Statements

If two Trainers provide conflicting accounts and the actual circumstances cannot be established from the available evidence, League Administration is not required to believe one side without evidence.

League Administration will determine the appropriate next step.

14.3 Private Messages as Evidence

Private messages may be submitted to League Administration as evidence when they are relevant to a specific league case.

Such material will generally be treated confidentially and will not be made public without a legitimate reason.

14.4 Tampering With Evidence

Knowingly falsifying, manipulating or misleadingly cropping evidence is prohibited.

A proven attempt to deceive League Administration is considered a serious rule violation and may result in removal from the league.

14.5 OTS / In-Game Discrepancies Discovered Afterward

If a discrepancy is only discovered after a Game or Set has ended and can be sufficiently proven, League Administration will review whether the discrepancy could have had a relevant impact on the affected Game.

If the discrepancy had no identifiable competitive relevance, the original result may remain unchanged.

If the discrepancy provided a competitive advantage or could have affected the result, the affected Game and, where necessary, the resulting Set score may be retroactively adjusted.

14.6 Sanctions

Not every rule violation has the same severity.

Some clearly defined competitive violations already carry a specific immediate consequence, for example:

  • OTS error discovered after a Game begins → Game Loss
  • required correction cannot be made → Set Loss
  • no-show → generally 0:2

For serious or intentional violations, League Administration will determine the appropriate sanction based on the individual case.

These may include:

  • Cheating
  • Match Fixing
  • manipulation of OTS or evidence
  • serious or repeated Fair Play violations
  • repeated toxic behaviour
  • intentionally exploiting rule loopholes
  • knowingly making false claims in order to gain an advantage

Depending on the severity, sanctions may extend to removal from the Kampfstube Premier League.

14.7 Rule Gaps

No rulebook can anticipate every possible future situation.

If a situation occurs during the Season that is not covered, or not clearly covered, by this rulebook, League Administration will make a ruling based on:

  • Fair Play
  • competitive proportionality
  • comparable existing rules
  • the available evidence

A discovered rule gap may then be closed for future comparable situations.

A newly introduced rule will not be applied retroactively to punish behaviour that was not prohibited or clearly regulated at the time of the incident.

14.8 Rulebook Amendments

Changes, additions or clarifications made during an ongoing Season will be officially announced through the League Discord.

The announcement will specify when the new or updated rule becomes effective.

From that point onward, the rule is binding for future Sets and incidents.

15. 👑 Final Authority of League Administration

When League Administration is involved in a rule dispute, conflict or special case, the situation will be reviewed based on the valid rulebook and the available evidence.

The resulting ruling applies to:

  • the official result of the incident
  • possible sanctions
  • the continuation of an ongoing Game or Set
  • any other measures resulting from the decision

The decision of League Administration is final and binding.

The involved Trainers are required to follow the ruling.

Players may not independently disregard or override a decision made by League Administration.

🏁 Final Provision

The Kampfstube Premier League is intended first and foremost to remain what it was created to be:

A competitive VGC league in which Trainers earn their results through their own competitive performance.

The purpose of this rulebook is to provide a clear framework without creating unnecessary special rules for every theoretically possible situation.

The core principles are therefore:

🎮 Legal VGC strategies may be played.
📋 Every participant is responsible for their own obligations.
🤝 Fair Play takes priority over attempts to exploit loopholes.
🔍 Evidence matters more than unsupported claims.
⚖️ Genuine mistakes are handled proportionally – intentional manipulation is sanctioned accordingly.

This rulebook forms the binding competitive framework for the Kampfstube Premier League – Season 2.