Below are the event rules for 20v20 Conquest and Season 0 of Combat Grounds. These rules are designed to be more accessible and less restrictive while introducing players to competitive standards. Our rulesets normally start with Section 1.0 Restrictions; however, this one starts with Section 0.0 Allowed Items to provide a clear list of what you can use in these matches. If the players who sign up feel that there is a major issue with Sections 0.0/1.1, they will be allowed to vote on them prior to the event starting.

The ESB Company (“us”, “we”, “our”, or “ESB”) operates this event. For more information on our Terms & Conditions, please visit: (https://esport-battlefield.com/terms/).

0.0 ALLOWED ITEMS

0.1 SPECIALISTS & SPECIALIST GADGETS:

0.2 WEAPONS:

0.3 GADGETS:

0.4 VEHICLES:

1.0 RESTRICTIONS (BANNED ITEMS)

1.1 SPECIALIST OVERVIEW:

Specialists are limited to 1 per squad.

BANNED SPECIALISTS:

• Sundance
• Lis
• Paik

BANNED SPECIALIST GADGETS:

• OV-P RECON DRONE (Casper)
• Grappling Hook (Mackay)
• XM370A (Zain)
• SOB-8 BALLISTIC SHIELD (Dozer)
• SG-36 Sentry Gun (Boris)

1.2 BANNED ITEMS:

WEAPONS:

• K30 (SMG)
• AC9 SMG (SMG)
• SFAR-M GL (Assault Rifle)
• RM68 (Assault Rifle)
• PKP-BP (LMG)
• LCMG (LMG)
• RPT-31 (LMG)
• NTW-50 (Bolt Action Rifle)
• XCE BAR (Bolt Action Rifle)
• GVT 45-70 (Lever Action Rifle)
• Rorsch Mk-4 (Railgun)
• Ghostmaker R10 (Bow)
• BFP.50 (Pistol)
• All DMRS
• All Shotguns

THROWABLES:

• Prox Sensor
• Throwing Knife

SCOPES:

• TR-1 Thermal 1.25x
• T4 Thermal 2.5x
• 2038 Thermal 6x

ATTACHMENTS:

• All Underbarrel Weapons

GADGETS:

• T-UGS
• Tracer Dart Gun
• EOD Bot
• M18 Claymore
• FGM-148 Javelin
• IBA Armor Plate
• Ranger
• SOFLAM
• SPH Explosive Launcher

VEHICLES:

• The following vehicles are unavailable in-game to balance the mode for 20v20 play:
  • LCAA Hovercraft (Light Transport)
  • YUV-2 Pondhawk (Light Transport)
  • M5C Bolte (Armored Transport)
  • CAV-Brawler (Armored Transport)
  • EBAA Wildcat (Medium Tank)
  • EMKV90-TOR (Heavy Armor)
  • RAH-68 Huron/YG-99 Hannibal (Attack Helicopters)
  • MV-38 Condor/Mi-240 Super Hind (Transport Helicopters)
  • UH-60 (Transport Helicopter)
  • XFAD-4 Draugr (Fighter Plane)

VEHICLE CALL-INS:

• The use of Vehicle Call-Ins is banned.

1.3 RESTRICTED ITEMS:

• None

1.4 GLITCHES:

We ask teams to refrain from abusing glitches to get an advantage in matches.

Known Glitches:

• None

Currently, there are no Known Glitches. Therefore, any newly discovered glitch will be reviewed individually.

1.5 RESTRICTION PENALTIES:

• If a team violates a Known Glitches restriction, they forfeit the map in which the infraction occurred.
• Teams are required to report and provide proof of any rule infraction(s) at the end of the map in which the infraction occurred. Failure to do so can possibly void any penalty for the opposing team.

Note: There are no listed penalties for the items listed in Section 1.2 because these items are already banned inside the game in each Portal experience we created and, therefore, can’t be equipped/used.

2. MAPS

2.1 20v20 CONQUEST MAP POOL:

• Haven
• Arica
• Manifest
• Stranded
• Kaleidoscope
• Orbital

2.2 MAP ASSIGNMENT

• On the first day of the Season, each faction must decide which of the six maps they will assign to the six regions under their control.
• Each map can only be assigned once, so that each of the initial six regions that each faction controls has a unique map attached to it.
• Once the maps are decided, they will appear on the Combat Map after clicking on the region.

3. SERVER SETTINGS

3.1 SERVER HOSTING:

• 1st Map: Hosted by Defending Faction
• 2nd Map: Hosted by Attacking Faction

Server Regions:

• Factions can decide which server region to host their map on.
  • They can select either East US or EU as a server location.
  • If both factions agree, both maps can be played on the same server/region to avoid having to switch server at the end of the first map.
• The player (and their squad) that creates the server will always be placed on the US side.

3.2 SERVER OVERVIEW:

Every server MUST be password protected. We recommend that factions change their server password before every match to prevent people from keeping track of old passwords and joining as possible players.

To access Experience Hosting, press: Play > Battlefield Portal > Host > Experience Code

The game will then ask you to provide:

Server Details:

• Name: Combat Grounds Matchday #X
• Description: –

Server Settings:

• Welcome Message: –
• Password: ON

Once you are done entering the above information, press “Host Server.”

Notes:

• The server region is based on the location of the player hosting the server. When server quotas are full in a specific region, it will host the server in another region.
• The use of passwords containing inappropriate language is strictly prohibited.

3.3 20v20 CONQUEST EXPERIENCE CODES

• Map Order 1: AA1C4Y
  • Haven / Arica / Manifest / Stranded / Kaleidoscope / Orbital
• Map Order 2:
  • Orbital / Kaleidoscope / Stranded / Manifest / Arica / Haven

Important note: The above experiences are set for 22v22 so players can easily switch teams if they end up on the wrong one.

4. SCORING

4.1 CONQUEST

Each map is composed of two sides. Each team gets to play as both the US Faction and the RU Faction on each map.

Scoring is based on the overall number of tickets. The team with the most tickets left at the end of both rounds wins the map.

Each match is made up of two maps. This means you play 4 total sides per match.

4.2 MAP TIES

If a map is tied by tickets after playing both the US and RU sides of the map:

• Time left: Compare the time left on the side each faction won. The faction with the most time left wins.
  • If both factions have the same time left, the map is counted as a win for the faction defending the region the map belongs to.

4.4 MATCH OUTCOMES

• Match Example:
  • The Vanguard Collective attacks C2 from B2. The Black Market Syndicate controls C2.
  • Each region will have a map assigned to it. Teams play both maps in their match.
  • Here are the four possible outcomes:
    • Both factions successfully win their maps, and they both keep their regions:
      • 
    • The Vanguard Collective wins both maps; they now control both regions.
      • 
    • Each faction wins its opponent’s map, swapping region control.
      • 
    • The Black Market Syndicate wins both maps; they now control both regions.
      • 

4.5 LEADERBOARD TIE-BREAKERS

If factions have the same number of controlled regions at the end of the season, here are the tie-breakers:

• Head-to-Head total maps won.
• Head-to-Head ticket differential
• Ticket Differential (vs all factions)
• Tickets Won (vs all factions)

5. OFFICIAL SCHEDULE

5.1 STANDARD DAYS

• Each Faction plays 1 match every week. Both matches happen at the same time.
• All matches take place every Sunday at 2 pm EDT / 8 pm CEST.

5.2 MATCH SCHEDULE

• Matchday 1: Sunday, June 8th, 2025
• Matchday 2: Sunday, June 15th, 2025
• Matchday 3: Sunday, June 22nd, 2025
• Matchday 4: Sunday, June 29th, 2025
• Matchday 5: Sunday, July 6th, 2025
• Matchday 6: Sunday, July 13th, 2025

6. MATCHES

6.1 HOW MATCHES WORK

• Weekly Match-ups:
  • Every week, each faction plays one match against one of the other factions.
  • One faction picks who to attack first (first attacker). 
    • Factions can only attack the territory of another faction linked to their own.
  • The other two factions face off. 
    • If the two remaining factions aren’t linked, the second attacker can target the closest enemy region by passing through another faction’s territory, taking the shortest route.
    • Second Attacker: 
      • Matchday 1: Coin Toss
      • Matchdays 2-6:  The faction with the most regions becomes the second attacker.
        • Tie-Breaker #1: The faction with the highest combined ticket score in the previous week’s match.
        • Tie-Breaker #2: Coin Toss
  • Weeks 1–4: Factions take turns picking first.
  • Weeks 5–6: The faction with the most regions picks first.
• Matches Explained:
  • A match is made up of two maps played back-to-back:
    • Map 1: The region being attacked (e.g., C2).
    • Map 2: The attacker’s region (e.g., B2).
  • On each map, teams play both sides (US and RU) for fairness.
    • This means that each match is made up of 4 total sides played.
  • In Conquest, scoring is based on overall tickets. The team with the most tickets left at the end of both sides wins the map.
    • Example: If Team A wins US side 150-0 but loses RU side 0-140, the final result for the map will be Team A 150-140 Team B. Team A won the map by 10 tickets.
• Winning Regions:
  • Win a map, control that region.
  • You might take their region, lose yours, or both—it’s all about strategy!

6.2 MATCHDAY

Failure to abide by the following rules may result in a match penalty:

• Factions have a maximum of 20 minutes past the scheduled match time to have all their players join the respective server used for the first map of the match, and ready to play.
• A match may not start unless both teams each have at least 16 eligible players in the server.
  • IMPORTANT: Each team may not have more than 20 players in the server.
• Players may only be subbed in between maps, and not sides.
  • Teams must communicate that a substitution is taking place before the start of the next map through the #faction-leaders channel in the “Combat Grounds” Discord server.
  • Teams have a maximum of 10 minutes to make any substitutions. Taking more time may result in a 10-ticket penalty per extra minute the player isn’t in the server.
    • The 10 minutes start once the first map ends.
  • Once a player is subbed out, he may not be subbed in again for the remainder of the match.

6.3 SERVER CRASHES

If a server crashes during a LIVE side, please use the following procedure:

• If the server crashes DURING the first 12 minutes of a side, the side must be fully replayed.
• If the server crashes AFTER the first 12 minutes of a side, teams will be required to keep their score obtained thus far and continue playing the next map or side.

6.4 PLAYER CRASHES

If a player crashes during a LIVE side, please use the following procedure:

• If a player disconnects before any kills are made, the side must be restarted.
  • Friendly fire is not considered a kill.
• If a player disconnects after a kill has been made on the side, the player must rejoin the match as soon as possible.

6.5 MATCH RESULT REPORTING

• The attacking faction will be required to report the match result, using the format presented below, in their respective #score-submission channel in the “Combat Grounds” Discord server.
  • Faction A vs Faction B
    Maps Won: (X)-(X)
    Map 1 Tickets: (X)-(X)
    Map 2 Tickets: (X)- (X)
  • If the losing faction wishes to contest the result, it must do so within 24 hours of the match’s end.
    • Any contesting of results must be done via the #faction_assistance channel in the “Combat Grounds” Discord server.
• The attacking faction is also required to send four screenshots (1 for each side’s final leaderboard) in the #screenshot-submission channel in the “Combat Grounds” Discord server.
  • Failure to send all four required screenshots within 24 hours of the match’s end may result in penalties.
    • Please ensure you are taking in-game SCREENSHOTS using your PC, console or by using an external capture card.
    • Pictures of TVs/Monitors/Projectors or screenshots from blurry video recordings will not be accepted.
  • Both factions are required to take the four screenshots for extra verification.
    • If neither faction has the required screenshots when asked by an event admin, both teams will face penalties.

7. FACTIONS

7.1 PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

• All players must currently reside in Europe or North America, which means that the event is region-locked.
• Player IDs (EA ID / STEAM ID / XBL GT / PSN ID) must be appropriate, non-offensive, and non-infringing of third-party copyrights. They may not impersonate a brand or trademark, regardless of whether it is registered.
  • Any attempt to circumvent the above rules, whether by using different spelling, numbers, gibberish, or a combination of the aforementioned, will be considered an infringement of the above rule.
• Each faction can be composed of 60 players maximum.
• All players must be on the respective faction’s roster on their dedicated faction page of the https://combatgrounds.esport-battlefield.com/ website to be considered ELIGIBLE.
  • Players must have their EXACT EA ID / STEAM ID / XBL GT / PSN ID on their faction’s roster.
  • Each player* may only have ONE account* on their faction’s roster page.
  • Each account* may only be used by 1 person. Account sharing is strictly prohibited.

Note: *Player refers to the physical person, while Account refers to the online persona being used by the player.

ESB reserves the right to review individual player cases and refuse participation should our staff deem it necessary to maintain the spirit of the rules indicated above.

7.2 FACTION BALANCING

To ensure that all factions are balanced, there will be two moments in which squads can switch factions.

• After Match 2, certain squads may be moved to other factions to balance out the factions for the remaining matches.
• After Match 4, squads from the top two factions may volunteer to help balance out the bottom two teams further for the last two matches of the season.

These moments will be discussed with faction leaders to ensure everyone is on the same page.

8. FORBIDDEN SOFTWARE

8.1 CHEATING

It is strictly prohibited to use any program that modifies or changes the game in any way, whether through external graphical solutions or 3rd party software (Wallhacks, Aimbot, Macros, etc.).

Using software to manipulate your connection (ex: a VPN), is strictly prohibited as well.

Players caught cheating will be banned from the season, and upcoming ESB events for at least 6 months.

8.2 MOSS REQUIREMENT

While MOSS isn’t required to play this event on PC, we reserve the right to ask specific players to start using it if they exhibit suspicious behavior in matches.

If asked, you must run MOSS Anti-cheat by Nohope92 to monitor your game before playing all Combat Grounds matches.

Players are responsible for keeping their MOSS match zip files stored and untouched for the duration of the season. Event admins may request any player’s ZIP file from any played match, whether there is suspicion of cheating or for a random check.

If a player who is asked to run MOSS is caught not using MOSS, unable to provide their match zip files, or tampering with the zip files, they will be disqualified.

MOSS Download: https://nohope.eu/

MOSS Quick Use Guide: https://nohope.eu/quick-use/

9. FAIR PLAY

• To guarantee fair play for all factions and players involved, under extenuating circumstances, our event administrators have the right to make decisions outside or against the current event ruleset.
• We ask players to refrain from abusing glitches to get an advantage in matches. Due to the different nature of these glitches, each case will be reviewed individually and a decision will be made by the admins.
• As Section 7 of the rules states, sharing accounts is strictly prohibited.
  • Team leaders will be held accountable for facilitating and organizing account sharing between players.
• Players caught lying and/or providing fake claims/proof to any match-related issue, will be disqualified for the remainder of the season.

We, therefore, ask everyone to maintain a certain level of fair play when playing in our events.

10. BROADCASTING

10.1 FEATURED MATCHES

Throughout the event, the ESB staff will select a featured match to cast every Sunday on the ESB Twitch.

We will inform factions as early as possible if their match is selected as a featured match.

• All featured matches will be announced through the #featured-matches channel in the “Combat Grounds” Discord server.

10.2 PLAYER STREAMS

Players are allowed to stream their POV on whichever streaming platform they wish to.

If we are casting a match, we will ask certain players to stream directly to our own servers so that our casters can see multiple POVs. Players will be notified directly when this is the case.