Battle for the Belt — Terms & Conditions

1. Overview

Battle for the Belt is a recurring competitive Commander tournament series hosted by Neon Mermaid Comics (“Neon Mermaid”). Players participate in monthly qualifying events and earn Championship Tide Points based on their final placement. At the end of each quarterly season, the eight highest-ranked eligible players qualify for the Neon Mermaid Championship.

Participation in the series is subject to these Terms & Conditions, the published event rules, the Neon Mermaid Comics code of conduct, and applicable Magic: The Gathering rules.

2. Qualifying Events

Qualifying events are monthly Commander tournaments. Each qualifier has a $20 entry fee and a maximum capacity of 16 players unless otherwise announced.

Each qualifier consists of multiplayer Commander games using Swiss-style rounds followed by a Top 4 Final Pod. The number of Swiss rounds may vary based on attendance.

Neon Mermaid may adjust event dates, times, capacity, or structure when reasonably necessary because of scheduling conflicts, store operations, attendance, emergencies, or circumstances outside its control. Any significant changes will be communicated through the official Neon Mermaid event channels.

3. Eligibility

Battle for the Belt is open to eligible players who meet the requirements announced for the event.

Participants must:

• Be a member of the official Neon Mermaid Comics Discord server.

• Be physically present at Neon Mermaid Comics for the event.

• Pay the applicable event entry fee.

• Follow the Neon Mermaid Comics Discord rules and event code of conduct.

• Submit a legal decklist within the required timeframe.

• Follow tournament rules and staff instructions.

Players under 18 may participate with required parent or guardian approval.

Neon Mermaid employees and individuals whose participation would create a conflict of interest may be excluded from earning prizes or Championship qualification.

4. Deck Construction

Battle for the Belt uses Bracket 3 Commander decks.

• A maximum of 3 Game Changer cards may be included in a deck.

• Proxy cards are not permitted.

• The current Wizards of the Coast Commander rules and ban list apply.

• Decklists must be submitted at least 24 hours before the applicable event.

• Neon Mermaid staff may review decklists before or during an event.

Players are responsible for ensuring that their decks comply with the published event requirements. A deck that does not meet the requirements may be required to be corrected before play or may result in disqualification, at the discretion of Neon Mermaid staff.

5. Championship Tide Points

Players earn Championship Tide Points based on their final placement at each qualifying event:

• 1st Place — 10 points

• 2nd Place — 7 points

• 3rd Place — 5 points

• 4th Place — 3 points

• 5th Place and lower — 1 point Tide

Points accumulate throughout the quarterly season. Points have no cash value and may not be transferred or sold.

At the end of the season, the eight highest-ranked eligible players qualify for the Neon Mermaid Championship. If a qualified player cannot attend, the invitation passes to the next highest-ranked eligible player.

6. Tournament Play

Round 1 pods are randomly assigned. Subsequent pod assignments are based on current tournament performance while avoiding repeat opponents whenever reasonably possible.

Players may be assigned to three-player pods when attendance requires it. Neon Mermaid will make reasonable efforts to distribute smaller pods fairly.

When time expires, the active player completes their current turn and each remaining player receives one additional turn. The game then ends.

Players eliminated during a game are ranked according to elimination order. The first player eliminated receives the lowest available placement among eliminated players; the last player eliminated receives the highest.

Players still in the game when the game ends without a winner are considered tied and do not receive a win.

7. Simultaneous Eliminations and Natural Draws

If two or more players are eliminated simultaneously, their placement is determined by their life totals immediately before the elimination event. The player with the higher life total receives the higher placement.

If tied players have identical life totals, they receive the average of the Championship Tide Points assigned to the tied placements.

A game may naturally end in a draw because of the game rules, an effect that creates a draw, simultaneous loss, or the expiration of the round. Intentional draws or agreements to manipulate standings are not permitted.

8. Tie-Breakers

If players are tied in Championship Tide Points at the end of a qualifying season, the following tie-breakers will be used:

1. Number of Qualifier Wins

2. Number of Top 4 Finishes

3. Total Match Wins

4. Random determination, if necessary

9. Championship

The quarterly Neon Mermaid Championship is free for qualified players.

The Championship winner will receive the announced Championship prize package, which may include:

• The Neon Mermaid Championship Belt

• A Championship trophy

• An Exclusive Champion Playmat Product and/or a Neon Mermaid gift card

• A place on the Neon Mermaid Champion Wall

• The title of Neon Mermaid Champion until the next Championship

• The Championship Belt remains the property of Neon Mermaid Comics.

Players may wear the belt while defending their title during the championship events.

10. Prizes

Monthly qualifier prizes will be announced for each event and may include booster packs, Neon Mermaid gift cards, store credit, product, or other prizes.

Prize details may vary by event and are subject to availability. Prizes are non-transferable unless Neon Mermaid expressly permits otherwise. Neon Mermaid reserves the right to substitute a prize with one of comparable value when necessary.

Any applicable taxes or reporting requirements associated with a prize are the responsibility of the recipient.

11. Player Conduct

Battle for the Belt is intended to be competitive, fair, and welcoming. Players must:

• Play honestly and follow the applicable game rules.

• Treat opponents, staff, and spectators respectfully.

• Follow event procedures and staff instructions.

• Avoid cheating, collusion, intentional draws, or deliberate manipulation of standings.

• Avoid harassment, threats, discrimination, or disruptive behavior.

Neon Mermaid may disqualify or remove a participant who cheats, colludes, intentionally manipulates tournament results, engages in unsportsmanlike conduct, violates these Terms & Conditions, or otherwise disrupts the event or community. Disqualified players may forfeit points, prizes, and/or Championship qualification.

12. Staff Rulings and Event Administration

Neon Mermaid Comics staff are responsible for administering the event and resolving event-related questions and disputes.

Staff may make reasonable rulings or adjustments when necessary to address an unforeseen situation, preserve competitive integrity, or ensure the event can continue fairly.

Neon Mermaid will make reasonable efforts to apply these rules consistently, but not every possible game or tournament situation can be anticipated in advance. Staff decisions regarding event administration and rulings are final for the event.

13. Cancellation or Changes

Neon Mermaid Comics reserves the right to postpone, modify, suspend, or cancel a qualifier, Championship, or the series when reasonably necessary.

Reasons may include insufficient attendance, scheduling conflicts, store operations, product availability, emergencies, or circumstances beyond Neon Mermaid’s reasonable control.

If an event or season is cancelled, Neon Mermaid will communicate the change through its official event channels and will determine how previously earned points and entries are handled based on the circumstances.

14. Photography and Promotion

Photography and video may be taken during Battle for the Belt events for Neon Mermaid Comics’ promotional purposes.

By participating, players acknowledge that their image, name, or likeness may appear in event-related photographs, social media posts, Discord announcements, the Neon Mermaid website, or in-store displays.

Championship winners may be featured on the Neon Mermaid Champion Wall and in promotional materials celebrating the series.

15. Acceptance of Terms

By registering for or participating in a Battle for the Belt event, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these Terms & Conditions and the published event rules.

Neon Mermaid Comics reserves the right to update these Terms & Conditions when necessary. Material changes will be communicated through official Neon Mermaid event channels.

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws applicable in the State of New Jersey.