Cup TrailerPASS Time is back and better than ever! Not only are we announcing another cup, but a commitment to supporting the gamemode. There was an overwhelming positive reception to the gamemode and maps from our first cup, and we want to continue the hype train. This is only the beginning as we aim to host even more PASS Time in the future. Who knows, maybe even turn this gamemode into a seasonal format just like 6s and HL, so long as that’s what the players want.
This cup will be a week-long event starting
April 2nd ending
April 7th featuring an over
$200 prizepool. Signups will open
today March 18th and close on
March 29th at 11:59 PM ET. In your matches, to win a round you must score five goals before the other team. The first team to win 2 rounds is the victor. Teams will be placed into one of three divisions based on the overall experience in PASS Time and our other formats.
Map Pool
This cup will feature 6 maps from our PASS Time community. Along with the original three you all are familiar with, Arena2, Stadium and Stonework, we have three more maps to unveil to you! The download links for these maps are below.
UFO
Colosseum2
Greenhouse
pass_arena2_b11pass_stadium_rc1pass_stonework_b6pass_ufo_a14pass_colosseum2_a12pass_greenhouse_a12Cup Schedule and Playoffs
NEW Team Sign-ups/Registration ends:
March 29th at 11:59PM ETIndividual Player Team Joins to Existing Teams ends:
March 31st at 11:59PM ETLatest Possible Reschedule Date for Group Stage:
April 5th at 11:59PM ET- Tuesday, April 2nd - Day 1
- Group Stage Round 1: 20:30 ET -
pass_arena2_b11 - Group Stage Round 2: 21:30 ET -
pass_ufo_a14
- Wednesday, April 3rd - Day 2
- Group Stage Round 3: 20:30 ET -
pass_stadium_rc1 - Group Stage Round 4: 21:30 ET -
pass_greenhouse_a12
- Thursday, April 4th - Day 3
- Group Stage Round 5: 20:30 ET -
pass_stonework_b6 - Group Stage Round 6: 21:30 ET -
pass_colosseum_a12
- Saturday, April 6th - Day 4
- Playoffs round 1: 19:00 ET- Best of 3
- Playoffs round 2: 21:30 ET - Best of 3
- Sunday, April 7th - Day 5
- Playoffs round 3 (Lower Bracket Finals): 19:00 ET - Best of 3
- Playoffs round 4 (Grand Finals): 21:30 ET - Best of 5
All divisions will be a top 4 double elim playoffs structure.
Playoffs will incorporate a pick/ban system. The order will be as follows:
- Playoffs Round 1-3:
- A Bans | B Bans | B Picks | A Picks | A Bans | B Picks
- Playoffs Round 4:
- UBW | A Picks | B Picks | A Picks | B Picks
Prize Pool
YES, that’s right! We will have a prize pool donated graciously by Fireside Casts. The total pool is
over $200 converted into keys. Below is the payout per division:
Total Prize Pool: 122 keysDiv 1:- 1st place - 38 keys
- 2nd place - 24 keys
- 3rd place - 12 keys
Div 2:- 1st place - 12 keys
- 2nd place - 8 keys
- 3rd place - 4 keys
Div 3:- 1st place - 12 keys
- 2nd place - 8 keys
- 3rd place - 4 keys
For basic questions, view the tutorial or consult the FAQ below. For any other questions, please join the community Discord linked above and below and ask community leaders there!
FAQ
Will there be any restrictions potentially placed on me and my team?
No. Since this gamemode is extremely unique compared to our usual formats like Sixes and Highlander, we will not be placing restrictions on teams. Instead, we will place teams based on the strength of the overall roster into one of three divisions specified above. To elaborate on why, it’s simply because DM does not have as large an impact on the game as other formats (partly due to 5 second respawn times) and instead it’s about scoring and preventing the other team from scoring.
Why is hitscan banned?
A single hitscan bullet can
neutralize the ball, making it impossible to score. It also knocks the ball, allowing players to sit in passive positions and influence the objective massively with relatively little risk or skill involved. This, coupled with how easy it is to deal knockback to bombing soldiers and demomen with hitscan makes it a very powerful mechanic that is easier to use than hitting airshots on players and the ball with projectiles. As such, all hitscan is banned.
Why are 6 classes banned?
Most classes have hitscan weapons at their core, making some classes unplayable without hitscan (such as the heavy), and some classes’ unlock alternatives encourage lower-skilled, less aggressive, or simply unfun gameplay (Jarate, Sentries, Flying Guillotine), and some classes are just plain broken (pyro can easily influence the ball, engineer shuts down all offense). Through plenty of playtesting, the community has determined that Soldier, Demo, and Medic make for the most fun and rewarding gameplay.
Why are stickies banned?
Stickies would allow you to jump across the map with the jack in your hand with very little set-up, which would be an extremely overpowered way to score.
Why are there so many weapon bans?
Some weapons make the game easier (such as the Direct Hit, Loch n Load which make it easier to airshot and kill bombing soldiers and demos), while some weapons encourage passive gameplay or do not fit into the game mode (Banners, Persian Persuader), some weapons encourage or are exclusively used for throwing the game (Rocket/Sticky Jumper which prevent picking up the jack), and some weapons are so good they break the game (Loose Cannon, Vaccinator, Tide Turner). The current whitelist came about after years of playtesting and pugs to ensure fun, balanced, skillful gameplay.
How do I learn the basics/get better at this game mode?
The community has created several helpful videos which are in the community Discord. To get better, there are PUGs hosted frequently in the community Discord, where seasoned players are more than happy to show you the ropes and answer any questions.
Any further questions can be asked directly to experienced 4v4 PASS Time (or P4SS) players in the
community Discord:
https://discord.gg/85uS6jQ