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LCS Honda Scouting Grounds Return November 2020
The LCS returned last week with our Summer Split debut, which means Honda Scouting Grounds is also back for 2020!
As in previous years, there are two ways to qualify into the Honda Scouting Grounds: through the FACEIT Scouting Grounds Circuit or through Solo Queue. For more info about the 2020 Circuit, read FACEIT’s announcement here. For more info about Solo Queue qualification, just scroll down.
Much of this year’s format will mirror last year’s, except for a few differences to eligibility requirements. Overall, we made these adjustments to create as much opportunity as possible for new players as we continue to prioritize developing the NA amateur scene.
The Honda Scouting Grounds is one of our favorite moments to celebrate in competitive League of Legends -- we look forward to seeing many new faces on the Rift this November!
**TL;DR**
- This year’s format will largely mirror last year’s.
- The biggest changes are in a few eligibility requirements:
- The “One Trick Rule” - we reduced the minimum requirement for games
played on four champs from 30 games to 25.
- Games played semi-professionally or professionally - you do not
qualify for Scouting Grounds if you’ve played more than two League
matches:
- In the past two splits of semi-pro or Academy (previously we only
counted the most recent split). *For clarity, the past two splits from the event which means Spring 2020 and Summer 2020.
- In the past six splits of a professional league (up from three splits
last year)
- But we are introducing an exception to this rule for NA residents who
played in an Emerging Region (as defined in 2.2.9 in our ruleset
[here][1]).
- Games played internationally - you do not qualify for Scouting
Grounds if you’ve played more than two games in the preceding
Mid-Season Invitational or World Championships.
- Previous Honda Scouting Grounds (HSG) Appearances - you do not
qualify if you’ve played in three HSGs in the last five years.
- Selection period: Wednesday, June 24 through Wednesday, September 30
at 11:59pm PT
- Survey sent to Masters through Challengers to verify account details:
Early September
- Invites sent to top players and several back-ups: October
- Competition period:
- Sunday, November 8 (player arrival)
- Monday, November 9 - Saturday, November 14 (Honda Scouting Grounds)
- Sunday, November 15 (player departure)
[1]: https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-LCS-Rule-Set-v20.1_6bkbwz26cgp7fngeat6a.pdf
Scouting Grounds Selection Period
=================================
The selection period will begin on **Wednesday, June 24** and continue through **Wednesday, September 30 at 11:59pm PT**.
We’ll take snapshots of the ranked ladder every two weeks on Tuesday at 11:59pm PT, keeping with the typical patch schedule and making a total of seven competitive segments. Your place on the ladder earns you points - see the next section for detail.
Your worst snapshot will be removed from your score. This is to compensate for instances of exams, travel, or other unavoidable circumstances.
Scores will be posted in this public [Google Doc][1]. Scores may take longer to update after each segment ends. In order to settle ties, we will use a player’s placement within the last cycle on the Solo Queue ladder.
At the end of the selection period, **the top two players in each role** will be invited to the 2020 LCS Honda Scouting Grounds. Additional players may be contacted as backups and in case of emergencies.
Non-eligible players (pros, academy, secondary accounts, etc.) will be factored into point totals, but will be removed from the final ranking. Additional accounts will not be added to the main account total.
Scoring
=======
We will keep the same scoring system as last year, outlined in the graphic below.
[1]: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTsroZFQnjIj6yJs-f15Z1kfVUtjxhdcGj2sx7S8TbV-JeAY68fiDqOKJ4-iXZxE7LZzZEEcaPl1tfv/pubhtml?gid=0&single=true
We’ll be taking snapshots on Tuesdays at 11:59pm PT every two weeks, which is typically the last day of each patch. Note this is subject to change pending any adjustments to the patch schedule.
At the end of all 7 competitive segments, players will have the points from 6 periods summed up and compared once the 2020 selection period ends on September 30.
Champion Pool Restrictions, e.g. “The One Trick Rule”
=====================================================
Because of restrictions under COVID-19, the selection period has been shortened slightly from last year’s. To compensate for the shorter period, and not force players to grind even harder while balancing school and/or full time jobs, we’re now requiring a **minimum of 25 games on 4 champions** compared to 30 games last year.
All other requirements within the “One Trick Rule” remain the same for 2020, as outlined below.
Eligibility Requirements
========================
We’ve adjusted a few of the eligibility criteria for this year, bolded below. Mainly, we decided to increase the amount of played splits or former HSG appearances before a player can no longer qualify for (or return to) Honda Scouting Grounds. We made these changes to give as much opportunity as possible to newer players, as we continue to prioritize developing the NA amateur scene.
To be eligible for Honda Scouting Grounds 2020, regardless of qualification method, you must:
- Respond to our survey verifying your account details (to be sent in
early September from an @leagueoflegends.com address)
- Be 16 years of age by January 14, 2021
- Have not played more than two League matches in a semi-professional
or academy league in the past two splits and/or more than two League
matches in a professional league during the past six splits.
- A professional league is any league that directly feeds into the
World Championships.
- A semi-professional league is any league that promotes or feeds into
a professional league (e.g., NA Academy or EU Masters but not ERLs).
- This year, we’re introducing an exception that will allow NA
residents who played in an Emerging Region (as defined in 2.2.9 in
our ruleset [here][1]) to attend Honda Scouting Grounds.
- Have not played more than two League games in the preceding
Mid-Season Invitational or preceding World Championship.
- **Have not appeared in three Honda Scouting Grounds events in the last
five years**
- Be a North American resident as determined by the [Interregional Movement Policy][2]
- Pass a behavior check, similar to LCS and Academy players, which
reviews in-game behavior and Terms of Service violations, and looks
at previous bans and/or suspensions
[1]: https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-LCS-Rule-Set-v20.1_6bkbwz26cgp7fngeat6a.pdf
[2]: https://nexus.leagueoflegends.com/en-us/2016/08/changes-to-the-interregional-movement-policy/
