All Formats
Ladder
Ongoing rankings. Challenge players above you to climb the ranks.
Ideal Players
8, 12, 16, 24, 32
Avg Duration
Ongoing (days to weeks)
How It Works
- 1
All players start on a ranked ladder, typically ordered by seed or join order.
- 2
Players challenge opponents ranked above them (usually within a set range, e.g. 3 spots).
- 3
If the challenger wins, they swap ranks with the defeated player.
- 4
The ladder runs continuously — there is no set end date, though admins can freeze it.
Pros
- Flexible scheduling — players challenge when they are available
- Ongoing format keeps the community engaged over time
- Natural skill-based ranking emerges over many matches
- New players can join at any time without disrupting the format
Cons
- No clear endpoint — can feel open-ended
- Inactive players can block progression if challenge rules are strict
- Players at the top may avoid challenges to protect their rank
- Requires active admin management to keep things fair
Example Flow
Player at rank #8 challenges player at rank #5
If #8 wins, they move to rank #5 and the former #5 drops to #8
Players ranked #6 and #7 shift down by one position
The ladder updates in real-time as challenges resolve
Best For
Communities that want ongoing competition rather than one-off events.