Berserker, Rules and More

Berserker is a game of strategy played on the Grey School's virtual campus. Its termly tournament gives Lodge teams a regular setting in which to practise, develop their judgment, and represent their Lodge in organized competition. The Captain coordinates the tournament with the Prefects, who are responsible for assembling their teams and helping members prepare.

The competitive framework below governs official vGSW meets and the end-of-term championship. Practice in other versions of the game can support a player's development; official results and awards come from the scheduled competition.

For informal play in the website Grimoire, both players' Lodges need Berserker and Multiplayer active. The website supports invitations to eligible Lodge mates and players from other Lodges. See Lodge Patronage and Perk Points for access, invitations, and reconnecting. GSW Mobile has separate opponents and matches; there is no cross-platform play. These informal games do not replace the official vGSW meets or determine their awards.

Teams and participation

Each Lodge fields a team of at least two players. The Prefect chooses the selection method, which may include open registration, tryouts, or appointment. Teams must be assembled before the first official match of the season. All players must be actively enrolled at GSW, and Journeymen may participate.

The teams use their Lodge mascots:

For each meet, opposing teams must use equal-sized scoring lineups. The scoring players must be declared before play begins, so both teams know whose results will contribute to the meet. A Lodge may maintain a larger team for practice and participation while fielding the agreed number of scoring players for an official meet.

Practice and official meets

Official practices are scheduled during the term. The Captain assists Prefects in coordinating these sessions, and teams are encouraged to arrange additional informal practice. Prefects may also arrange practice meets beyond the official schedule.

Official meets follow the tournament format. They give players experience under the same conditions used for competition and establish the results from which Lodge standings and individual performance are assessed. Preparation should include familiarity with the game's ordinary rules, clear communication within the team, and reliable attendance for declared scoring players.

Scoring a round and match

At the end of a round, count the pieces remaining on the board for each player. The losing player's score is the number of their remaining pieces. The winner's remaining pieces are multiplied according to the kind of win:

• For a regular win, achieved by making three in a row, the winner's remaining pieces count double.

• For a Berserker win, achieved when all of the player's pieces are on the board at once, the winner's remaining pieces count triple.

An ordinary match is played as the best two out of three rounds. Add the scores from every round actually played to obtain each player's final match score. These individual results are retained for statistical records and recognition, as well as for the tie-breaking and representative-selection rules below.

The team's meet score is the sum of its declared scoring players' match scores. The Lodge with the higher team score wins the meet. Equal-sized lineups ensure that the result reflects the play of an equivalent number of competitors on each side.

Regular-season schedule

The regular season consists of five meets during the academic term. Each Lodge competes in four of those five meets. The pairing order repeats each term:

Lodges are ranked first by the number of meet wins and then by accumulated official score. If those measures leave Lodges tied, a tie-break match determines their order. Published event notices provide the dates and practical arrangements for the five-meet schedule.

Playoffs and championship

The four highest-ranked Lodges advance to the playoffs. The first-place Lodge plays the fourth-place Lodge in one semifinal, and the second-place Lodge plays the third-place Lodge in the other. Each semifinal-winning Lodge earns 20 merits.

Each winning Lodge then sends one player to the championship. Its representative is the eligible player with the highest accumulated score from official scoring appearances. If players are tied for that position, a playoff determines which player will represent the Lodge.

The two representatives play a best three out of five championship series during the end-of-term Moot. The winning player's Lodge earns 100 merits. The champion also receives a full scholarship for the following term and formal recognition in Grey Matters.

Recognition and records

Leading players from the regular-season meets and the championship are recognized in Grey Matters. Keeping accurate individual scores throughout official play supports this recognition and makes the selection of championship representatives clear to everyone involved.

The School may explore recording matches for archival or educational use. Pupils with relevant audiovisual experience may speak with their Prefect about assisting. Any recording must follow the School's applicable permissions and privacy expectations.

Participation calls for ordinary sporting courtesy. Players should prepare for scheduled play, respect their opponents, and work with their Prefect and the Captain when a practical question needs resolving. The tournament provides a sustained opportunity to develop strategic skill while contributing to Lodge life.