League Intro + Challenging Procedure

[El Blecko]

This is already posted on the main site, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to have it here as well.

Welcome, everyone...to the Crazy Amazing Diamond/Pearl/Platinum Pokemon League! Before we jump into the challenge, there are a few things you should know first.

Challenging Rules + Procedure

~The CAL Challenge is set primarily in Shoddy Battle, a pokemon battle simulator. A handful of staff members can only be challenged via shoddy, so it's in your best interest to download it.

~The objective is to collect eight gym badges, defeat the Elite Four and become the Champion. If you manage to accomplish this daunting task, you will not only win a prize (anything you'd like in-game)...you will also earn the title of CAL Champion--a high honor indeed. There are 10 Gym Leaders to allow challengers more flexibility, but you'll only need to win 8 of them to advance to the Elites.

~The gyms may be fought in any order you wish, but the Elite Four must be battled sequentially. Losing to an E4 member does not immediately reset your elite challenge like it does in-game. Two losses during the course of your Elite run, however, will reset that portion and send you back to the first Elite member. Should you fail the Elite segment a total of three times, you will be sent back to the gyms to collect 8 badges once again. It's a challenge, certainly, but it's that way for a reason--only the best of the best will reach the Champion's throne!

~Rematch Policy: You may rechallenge a gym leader/E4 member no sooner than 24 hours after your loss unless the leader agrees to an earlier time.

~Gym Leaders are allowed to use up to two Pokemon not of their type, so expect the unexpected!

~All challengers must adhere to our 8 Pokemon Rule. This rule states that you may only use a combined total of 8 Pokemon throughout your league challenge. (It prevents you from switching your team to counter all of the different gym types.) When you decide to challenge the league, register in our forums and introduce yourself at our Welcome Board--that's where you'll post the 8 Pokemon you'll be using. You don't have to spoil your movesets or anything--just list the names of the 8 you've chosen. If you wish, you may cancel your league challenge, choose a new set of 8 Pokemon, and start over. You may not change anything functional on your team once you have begun your challenge. This includes, but is not limited to: movesets, items, EVs and natures. If we discover a challenger has won a battle through changing any of the above, the battle will be invalidated and the challenger may be disqualified.

~To request a battle with a Gym Leader/Elite, make a topic in their sub-forum with your FC/Shoddy name and ask them for one. Be patient--you usually won't get a reply instantly. Also, be willing to plan battling times around each others' schedules--we've got lives, too. If you've posted a challenge topic and you're looking for a battle, remember to check the CAL chatbox. Most of us spend more time in the chat than anywhere else, so it's an excellent place to set up battles. If you're still unable to contact a Gym Leader, you may send a PM requesting a battle.

~Make sure you're familiar with all the clauses you'll have to follow for your league challenge. Read up on them here.

~Check out our Side-Challenges! They're meant to be a fun, innovative break from the rigors of the standard league challenge. Give 'em a try and see how many medals you can collect--something [crazy] amazing awaits the trainer who clears the league AND every sub-challenge... Posting a sub-challenge battle request is nearly identical to posting a gym battle request: simply find the subforum for your sub-challenge of choice and make a topic.

~Once you win badges/emblems from gyms and sub-challenges, you're allowed to put them in your forum signature, as a testament to what you've accomplished. These are currently in development--we'll alert you once we've finished!

~Don't be a stranger! Socialize with us on our forums--we love company.

I think that's about it. Best of luck--hope to see you all on the battlefield!

~The CAL Team

[El Blecko]

After much discussion, there have been some updates to the challenging procedure. New additions are in bold--be mindful of them!