Westhammer — Season Rules (Season 2)

1. Core Principles

2. League Format — Ladder

Linear ladder: a single ordered list of players: Rank 1, Rank 2, Rank 3, …

2.1 Monthly Mission & Layout

• Each calendar month has one official mission and one official terrain layout (WTC-compatible placements recommended).
• All league challenge games during that month must use that mission & layout. This creates a shared experience and helps players discuss tactics together.
• The chosen mission & layout will be published on Discord and the league app before the month starts.

2.2 Challenge Rules

• Any player may challenge any other player.
• If the challenger challenges someone above them in rank:
• If the challenger wins, they take the defeated player’s rank. All players between the challenger’s old spot and that rank shift down one.
• If the challenger loses, no ranks change.
• If the challenger challenges someone below them in rank:
• If the challenger wins, no ranks change.
• If the challenger loses, the defender takes the rank of the challenger.
• New players join at the bottom of the ladder. If a player leaves, everyone below moves up one spot.

2.3 Leader / Rank 1 (List-Lock)

• The player at Rank 1 must lock their list for their time as leader.
• Other players may change lists monthly except when otherwise specified by a special rule.

2.4 Match Results & Movement Examples

• If #6 beats #2, #6 becomes #2; players #2–#5 shift down one position in order. If #6 loses to #2, ladder stays the same.

3. Challenge Tokens & Priority

3.1 One Token Per Month

• Each player except the leader receives 1 challenge token at the start of each calendar month.
• A token represents the right to issue one challenge during that month. Tokens reset on the 1st of each month and do not carry over.
• A token is only spent when a challenge is actually played. If your declared challenge is blocked by priority, you keep your token until you play a different valid challenge.
• A challenge window will be open the first three days of the month where in players can challenge eachother. On the fourth day the challenges will be posted according to the priority rules.
• Challenges can still be made after the initial window. example: you might want to challenge rank nr 2 but only after the outcome of his champion challenge has passed.

3.2 Champion Protection & Priority Resolution

• The Champion (Rank 1) is required to accept one mandatory challenge per month (the first processed by the priority rules).
• If multiple players declare a challenge to the same opponent (for example, the Champion), the league resolves who gets the match based on priority rules (timestamp is irrelevant):
• Closest challenger on the ladder (highest-ranked challenger) has priority.

3.3 Unused Tokens

• Unused tokens expire at the end of the month.
• Players who were blocked by priority do not gain extra tokens next month — everyone starts equal on the 1st.

4. Activity & Decay

• Only the Leader (Rank 1) is required to play at least one game per month in order to defend their position. Failure to play a defense game during the month results in an automatic drop of one rank.
• the player on rank 2 will be promoted to the leader and will lock a list of their choice.

5. How to Play a League Game

5.1 Mission & Layout

• The monthly mission & layout are official for all league matches that month. Players must use them for league-ranked games.
• The mission will be randomly rolled from the GW Chapter Approved 2025-2026 tournament companion table.
• The terrain layout will be using the WTC terrain map pack. Rolling randomly from a select set of layouts for the deployment rolled.

5.2 Game Size & Win Conditions

• Standard game size: 2000 points
• Follow mission-specific scoring & the rulebook for chapter approved 2025 & 2026. Time-limited games end with the current score when time runs out.

5.3 Terrain & WYSIWYG

• Boards should be set up per the monthly layout. Use the league's terrain pack or agreed substitutes.
• Each player hosting should have the following kits of terrain to form the layouts
• Three storey ruin: 4
• Two storey ruin: 6
• Containers(two stacked):2
• 12"x6" footprints: 10
• Models must be reasonably WYSIWYG — weapons/wargear should be represented and declared if proxy/conversion is used.
• Proxies or conversions must be disclosed before the game and agreed by both players.

6. Reporting & the League App

• After a match, players must submit the result to the league channel.
• Submission should include: final score, winner, MVP (optional), and any photo(s) for Style Points or Big Moments.
• Organizers will update the ladder within 72 hours of valid submission.

7. Badge Trophy Side-Game

A light, thematic side objective that runs parallel to the ladder.

• Each player prepares one small badge at the start of the season painted in their main army style.
• Badges are kept in a shared location. When a player wins a league match they may claim one badge from their opponent (if the opponent has multiple, the winner chooses which).
• Badges are tracked throughout the season.
• Badges move only via official league matches. The total number of badges is fixed for the season.
• End-of-season recognition for the player holding the most badges (cosmetic prize / bragging rights).
• Challenges specifically for acquiring a badge allow a challenger to challenge below their rank. The added risk being the challengers also loses their spot if they lose.

8. Disputes & Judge

• First step: try to resolve disputes amicably at the table by consulting the rulebook.
• If unresolved, contact the appointed Judge for a ruling. Judge rulings are final for the match.
• If there is an issue with the Judge, contact the store owner — they have final authority.
• Aggressive or abusive behavior may result in removal from the league.

9. Practical Details: Time Limits

Time limits can be a point of contention therefore here are some tips to help avoid problems

• agree on time limit before the game.
• If the game has to be limited in time,try to give equal amounts of round time to each player.
• Chess clocks are not required. The usage of them need to be agreed upon by both parties
• Whenever the time runs out. The score is the score.

10. Practical Details: Other

• Newcomers: join at the bottom; organizers will place them in the ladder.
• Leaves/pauses: announce planned absence; organizers may grant temporary pause from decay if agreed.
• Playing space: whilst most games are played at someones home, there is always the option to play at the Pawntheon store. Keep in mind this store closes and time limit will be a factor.

11. Feedback & Iteration

We iterate fast. After each season we collect feedback and may tweak the rules. If something feels broken, report it — we prefer small, frequent changes over big disruptive ones.

Want to propose a change? Post it in discord with examples and we'll discuss.