Referee
The rules for Referees are:
A-Grade: Almost infallible in matters of what happens during a round. May ref any match, including a Grand Melee. May ref up to 15 matches in total.
B-Grade: Correct on most all matters of what happens during a round. May ref any match excepting a Grand Melee. May ref up to 12 matches in total.
C-Grade: A thorough understanding of the rules and able to state what happens with clarity. May ref any match excepting a Grand Melee or realistic battles. May ref up to 10 matches in total.
D-Grade: Solid understanding of the rules but needs experience before joining the ranks of the great. Can ref standard matches, and Gym matches with permission, but cannot ref 'exhibition' matches, battles already in progress or realistic battles. May ref up to 10 matches in total.
Ungraded Grade: May ref standard, slapstick matches only, with permission from both battlers, except for battles already in progress, may ref up to 10 matches in total.
+ Rating: Generally keeps the 2-day bonus, rarely taking a week to ref. Can purchase legend matches and six-packs of squad slots for 5 SP less, Ref Cap increased by three battles.
Neutral Rating: Refs at a decent speed, generally taking around a week. Can purchase six-packs of squad slots for 5 SP less.
- Rating: Has a tendency to let things slip, taking a week or more to ref. No discount, Ref Cap decreased by three battles.
Complete list of Refs:
A+
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
Referee Discretion
Ref's Discretion. Two words thrown around in ASB that have never been properly defined. Since ref's discretion and its use is still poorly understood, we're gonna make an attempt today to clear up some of the confusion.
Ref's discretion is the basic idea that a ref is the one who ultimately decides the outcome of the way a round plays out. This basically means that anything not dictated by a clear rule is essentially up to the ref. Ref's discretion covers a wide range of situations, including but definitely not limited to:
- If an attack hits, and how much damage it does/energy it uses.
- The speed of attacks
- How attacks interact
- Initiative
- Positioning
- Exhaustion
- How statuses/move effects manifest
- Enthusiasm
- SC effects
- etc.
That said, ref's discretion is not a carte blanche to do whatever the ref wants and ignore rules or descriptions. A ref should definitely follow the guidelines that the written rules and descriptions outline (e.g. percentage boost/drops, stat mechanics, breather rounds, etc.) and try to stick to what the descripts and rules outline. What it is, though, is creative license to interpret a round how they see fit and alter the letter of the descriptions or rules (within reason) to fit the spirit of the move or the situation that the round might dictate. For instance, even though the rule dictates that a one-mover should be taken roughly once in 3 rounds, if a Pokémon has been using a number of low-power attacks or had a few fail, the ref might decide to let them fight at full without a break. If the description says Slash uses claws, they might have a Pokémon with small claws or a more Slashing-appropriate appendage use something else.
Reffing in the ASB is much more of an art than it is a science. It requires juggling a large number of elements and factors that may influence things differently, especially with refs who might have a different perspective on the situation than the battlers. Things will often not go how you expect, and refs should not ref based on a rigid expectation or based on the battler's desired outcome.
The important thing that ref's discretion plays into, though, is individual round orders. When it comes down to it, a ref's interpretation of a round is going to be how the round should play out. Ultimately, refs have the power to dictate how they think the round should play out, even if you don't picture it that way. As long as they can explain their reasoning for why the round played out why it did and they did not obviously violate any rules in their reffing, the round will stand.
Guidelines for Questioning Ref's Discretion
- If you have an issue with an element of the round, do the following:
- 1) Ask a question about the thing you take issue with. Do NOT state how you think it should go (that :is a good way of making sure it does NOT go that way).
- 2) The ref will explain their reasoning. If it is logically consistent, ref's discretion will hold and the round will continue.
- 3) If you find a clear rule issue or failure to interpret a description, reply as such.
- 4) If there is still an issue, take it to the Q&A thread to resolve it. If not resolved there, ask in S&I OR PM an LO for assistance.
A quick list of DOs and DON'TS
DO: Ask questions on reffings you're unsure of.
DO: Ask for clarification on points.
DO: Ask in appropriate threads if you're unsure.
DON'T: Give your version of the round.
DON'T: Push or be rude to your refs.
DON'T: Delay the battle unnecessarily.
Thanks for your attention and happy battling!
