You start at the bottom of the ladder -- every position above that is earned through competition.
Challenge any player within 5 spots above you on the ladder.
Both players queue HC S&D public matchmaking as a party of two. No additional party members.
The team must win for the match to count. If the team loses, the result is void -- queue again.
The challenge winner is whoever is higher on the scoreboard between the two players. You do not need to top the lobby -- only outperform your opponent.
Both players must be on the win screen when the match ends. If either disconnects, the match is void.
If the challenger wins, they take the defeated player's ladder position. Everyone between the two shifts down one spot. If the challenger loses, positions stay the same -- no penalty for trying.
Challenged players have 48 hours to accept or they forfeit automatically.
Once accepted, both players have 72 hours to complete the match.
Only one active challenge at a time -- you cannot issue or receive another while one is open.
7-day cooldown before re-challenging the same opponent, or complete a challenge against someone else first.
When a challenge is accepted, both players receive a Submit Results button in the pubstar channel on Discord.
After your match, click Submit Results to open a stat entry form. Enter your kills, deaths, plants, and defuses, then select W (win) or L (loss).
You will be prompted to upload a scoreboard screenshot. Drag and drop the image into the channel within 5 minutes. The bot archives it to #after-action automatically.
Screenshots are strongly recommended. If a match is disputed and you did not provide a screenshot, the dispute may be resolved against you.
Both players submit independently. If both agree on the winner, the match completes automatically and ladder positions update.
If the submissions conflict (both claim the win), the match is flagged as disputed and an admin reviews the evidence to determine the winner.
Pubstar uses the Glicko-2 rating system -- the same model used in professional chess and esports.
Every player starts at a rating of 1500.
Wins increase your rating; losses decrease it. The size of the change depends on the strength of your opponent.
Rating is a skill metric that tracks your competitive level. Your tier is determined by ladder position, not rating.
Champion -- Position 1. The top of the ladder.
Elite -- Positions 2 and 3.
Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze -- Percentage-based distribution across the remaining ladder. Tier thresholds shift as the total ladder size grows.
Stats tracked per match: kills, deaths, plants, and defuses.
Your win-loss record and current streak are visible on the public leaderboard.
Milestone badges are awarded automatically (e.g., first win, 10-win streak).
Your profile shows your current rank and record (e.g., "#14 (8-3)").
The ladder rewards active competitors. If you go too long without completing a challenge, the system responds automatically.
10 days inactive -- you receive a warning notification in Discord.
14 days inactive -- you are demoted one position on the ladder.
21 days inactive -- you are removed from the ladder entirely.
Activity resets every time you complete a challenge. Accepting or issuing a challenge does not count -- the match must be played and submitted.
If you are removed for inactivity, you can rejoin the ladder at any time from /pubstar/. You will start at the bottom with a fresh position.
Pubstar runs independent seasons, separate from the main league schedule.
Each Pubstar Ladder season runs a minimum of 5 weeks. The season close is announced by league administration -- there is no fixed end date.
The top 8 players at season end compete in a single-elimination playoff bracket.
Records and badges carry forward across seasons -- your history is permanent.
The Pubstar ladder is completely separate from your league team record.
Any registered league player can join the ladder at any time from /pubstar/.
Players who join Pubstar without a league account receive a minimal profile. If they later register for the league, their profile is upgraded automatically.
Joining mid-season carries no penalty -- your position is preserved until a challenge changes it.
Ready to Climb?
Earn your position. Every spot on the ladder is won, not given.
