Rulebook

Preparation

Up to 60 seconds

Quick match

3 min formatThree speeches each: case, rebuttal, final focus. No crossfire.

3 min

Case, rebuttal, final focus. No crossfire.Case: 0:45 each; Rebuttal: 0:30 each; Final focus: 0:15 each.

10 min

Case, crossfire, rebuttal, crossfire, summary, final focus.Case: 0:45 each; Crossfire: 2:00 total across 4 alternating turns; Rebuttal: 0:45 each; Crossfire: 2:00 total across 4 alternating turns; Summary: 0:45 each; Final focus: 0:45 each.

15 min

Longer speeches and a final crossfire before final focus.Case: 1:30 each; Crossfire: 2:00 total across 4 alternating turns; Rebuttal: 1:30 each; Crossfire: 2:00 total across 4 alternating turns; Summary: 1:00 each; Final crossfire: 1:30 total across 4 alternating turns; Final focus: 0:45 each.

Crossfire

Take turns asking and answering questions.In the 10- and 15-minute formats, each crossfire is four short alternating turns. Ask about the opponent's case or answer their question directly.

Format length

Planned speaking timePreparation and time-bank use add to the selected length. Sending early shortens a turn.

AI opponent

4 turns each; 45 seconds per turnIf you choose an AI character from the queue, the unrated match uses an opening, two rebuttals and a closing each, without crossfire.

Time bank

About 35% of planned speaking time, rounded to 15 seconds, once per matchWhen your turn timer runs out you draw from your bank. It does not refill. Pressing Send stops your clock. When your bank runs out, whatever you have said is sent as your turn.

Disconnection

Clock continues

AI scoringAI evaluates arguments and awards points using the mode’s rules. Some screens call this…: Evaluates arguments and awards points using this mode’s rules.

Claim

0–4
State and develop a main argument.A main argument: unsupported (0), asserted (1), reasoned (2), developed (3), or robust (4). A robust claim is well explained and addresses its main weakness.

Support

0–3
SupportA reason or evidence backing a claim. a claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on… with reasoning or evidenceFacts or sources used to support an argument..A reason or evidence for a claim: unsupported (0), plausible (1), grounded (2), or resilient (3).

Board limit

New arguments and supporting reasons can add points. Repeating an existing point earns nothing.

Rebuttal

Deduct points from an opposing argument; it earns nothing itself.A rebuttal takes points off the opposing point it answers: the rebuttal's grade minus that point's grade, plus 1, never less than 0, never more than the rebuttal's grade, and never more than the point still holds. Other points, including that point's other supports, keep theirs. A rebuttal that is answered loses force, and the point it named gets its points back.

Earns nothing

Repetition, filler, or arguing the opposing position.Restating a point, filler, and arguing the other side's position. Repeating six or more words that side was already credited for earns 0.

Which games use these rules?

Duels first scored with this updateDuels already scored keep their previous rules: points can fall below zero, and concessions can include an extra penalty. Their scoring does not change midway through the match.

Minimum score

Zero for each point

Deductions

Recalculated every turnStrengthen a challenged point to reduce its deduction.

Concessions

The point's earned points are removed; nothing more

Win

Higher final score

Draw

Equal final scores

Time runs out

Your turn is sent as it standsWhen your turn timer and your time bank have both run out, whatever you have said is sent and judged like any turn. A turn with nothing said earns and costs nothing, and the match moves on. Running out of time is never a loss by itself.

Idle match

No result after 10 minutesApplies if the match is unfinished and neither player's page has sent anything for 10 minutes. It is the only way a match ends without a result.

Leave after first argument

Forfeit loss, regardless of score

Leave before first argument

No result

Starting rating

1200

Rated matches

Ranked duels between two signed-in players

Rating changes

Based on result and opponent ratingChanges are larger in your first 10 ranked games. Beating a higher-rated player earns more. A forfeit counts as a full loss.

Unrated matches

Casual, guest, and AI matchesWins, losses, and draws are still recorded.

Score XP

2 XP per point above zero

Completion XP

+5 XP

Win XP

+5 XP

Starting time

1:30

Per reply

+0:15

Clock runs

During your turn, including thinking time

Clock pauses

During the character’s reply and scoring

Turn limit

None

At 0:00

Draft sent automaticallyThe character gives a closing reply before results appear.

End button

Ends the matchWait a few seconds for the final exchange to finish scoring.

AI scoringAI evaluates arguments and awards points using the mode’s rules. Some screens call this…: Evaluates arguments and awards points using this mode’s rules.

Exchange

Your turn + the character’s reply; 0–3 points per side.

Good point

+1
A fair, relevant point.

Evidence

+2
EvidenceFacts or sources used to support an argument., a rebuttalAn argument that challenges an opponent’s claim or supporting reason., or a specific argument.

Decisive

+3
A real contradiction, receipts, a forced concessionGiving up a claim. In modes with a Concede button, using it changes your score; saying…, or their own words turned.The call names the move: CONTRADICTION (two of their statements cannot both be true), RECEIPTS (evidence that settles the point), FORCED CONCESSION (they give up a point under your pressure) or OWN WORDS (their words defeat their own case). A concession you volunteer is honest, never counted as forced or as a contradiction.

Penalty

never subtracted
Fabricated facts, evasion, or insults; no points deducted.Forceful language alone is not penalized.

Source cards

Claims matching the source cards are accepted as true.

Score

Only increases

Opening claim

Not scored

Scoring failure

No points addedThe exchange is marked Not scored and counts against neither side.

Evaluation

Meaning over wording; stricter standard for AIPoints: you're scored on what you mean, not your exact wording; the character's points are held to a stricter standard.

Goal

Score more points than your opponent

Results

Scores, penalties, and highlights

Leave without ending

No result

Rating

No change

1-point play

1 XP

2-point play

3 XP

3-point play

10 XP

XP applies to

Skills, topic, and character bond

Replay XP

Same match within 24 hours: 50% XP, then 25%

Starting time

2:45 across all three rounds

Per scored reply

+0:30

Opening review

30 seconds per opponent

Clock runs

During your turns

Clock pauses

During opponent reveals and opening reviews

Reply limit

3 scored replies per opponent

At 0:00

Run ends; points are saved

AI scoringAI evaluates arguments and awards points using the mode’s rules. Some screens call this…: Evaluates arguments and awards points using this mode’s rules.

Round score

0–100
5 criteria × 20 points; all replies assessed together.

Targeting

20
Respond to an opponent’s claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on….

Rebuttal

20
Explain why that claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on… fails.

Support

20
Back your answer with a reason or evidenceFacts or sources used to support an argument..

Specificity

20
Use concrete details.

Clarity

20
Make the logic easy to follow.

Fatal flaw

Too short, ignores the opening, or lacks a rebuttalAn argument that challenges an opponent’s claim or supporting reason.: no dungeon points; round not cleared.

Dungeon points

55 → 1 point · 75 → 2 points · 90 → 3 pointsSeparate from the round score. In each round, a round score of 55 earns 1 point, 75 earns 2 and 90 earns 3. Each reply adds only the increase, so nothing counts twice.

Time bonus

Clear all rounds: +1 point per 15 seconds remaining.

Best score

Highest score retained

Criteria bars

Latest assessment; can decreaseThe bars show the latest scoring of your case, not your best score.

Point increases

Increase at each new threshold

Scoring failure

Retry; no reply or points used

Victory

Clear all three rounds

Incomplete run

Rounds cleared shown

Dropped round

Continue to the next opponent

Time expired

Run ends; rounds cleared shown

End from Settings

Ended by player; rounds cleared shown

Draws

None

Rating

No change

Per cleared round

10 skill XP + 10 topic XP + 10 bond XPSkill XP goes to your strongest skill; bond XP goes to the first character faced.

Replay XP

Same match within 24 hours: 50% XP, then 25%

Time limit

None

Turns

5 per match

Order

Opening → 3 crossfires → Closing

AI scoringAI evaluates arguments and awards points using the mode’s rules. Some screens call this…: Evaluates arguments and awards points using this mode’s rules.

Scoring system

Shown in your match’s rulesLeague supports argument scoring and ledger scoring, described below.

Final score

Score + bonus

Win

Higher final score

Draw

Equal final scores

Next level

Unlocked by a win or draw

Leaving after turn 1

Forfeit loss

Replays

Any unlocked level; best attempt shown

Argument scoring: Final scoring failure

No result or rating change; replay available

Starting rating

1000; separate from Duel rating

Rating changes

After each scored match; forfeit counts as a loss

Opponent ratings

1000, 1100, 1200

Replay XP

Same match within 24 hours: 50% XP, then 25%

Time limit

None

Short

3 turns eachNo opening or closing.

Standard

4 turns eachOpening, two rebuttals, closing.

Extended

7 turns eachOpening, five rebuttals, closing.

AI scoringAI evaluates arguments and awards points using the mode’s rules. Some screens call this…: Evaluates arguments and awards points using this mode’s rules.

Claim

0–4
State and develop a main argument.A main argument: unsupported (0), asserted (1), reasoned (2), developed (3), or robust (4). A robust claim is well explained and addresses its main weakness.

Support

0–3
SupportA reason or evidence backing a claim. a claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on… with reasoning, evidenceFacts or sources used to support an argument., or a rebuttalAn argument that challenges an opponent’s claim or supporting reason..A reason, evidence, or rebuttal supporting a claim: unsupported (0), plausible (1), grounded (2), or resilient (3).

Board limit

12 claims per side
Each claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on… can carry up to 12 supports. New arguments and supporting reasons keep adding points.No debate fills the board. Restating a point already made earns nothing.

Rebuttal

Deduct points from an opposing argument.A support that answers one of the other side's points takes points off it: the rebuttal's grade minus that point's grade, plus 1. It never takes less than 0 or more than the rebuttal's own grade.

Earns nothing

Repetition, filler, or arguing the opposing position.Restating a point, filler, and arguing the other side's position. Repeating six or more words that side was already credited for earns 0.

Minimum score

Can fall below zero

Deductions

Recalculated every turnStrengthen a challenged point to reduce its deduction.

Spoken concessions

No point deduction

Win

Higher final scoreA negative score can win if the opponent’s score is lower.

Draw

Equal final scores

Leaving early

No result

Rating

No change

Score XP

2 XP per point above zero

Completion XP

+5 XP

Win XP

+5 XP

XP applies to

Skills, topic, and character bond

Replay XP

Same match within 24 hours: 50% XP, then 25%

Player timer

None

Short

3 turns eachNo opening or closing.

Standard

4 turns eachOpening, two rebuttals, closing.

Extended

7 turns eachOpening, five rebuttals, closing.

Round cards

Opening, Rebuttal, ClosingStandard and Extended debates use one card for each phase.

Short exchange cards

One card per exchangeEach exchange is one turn from each character.

AI scoringAI evaluates arguments and awards points using the mode’s rules. Some screens call this…: Evaluates arguments and awards points using this mode’s rules.

Claim

0–4
State and develop a main argument.A main argument: unsupported (0), asserted (1), reasoned (2), developed (3), or robust (4). A robust claim is well explained and addresses its main weakness.

Support

0–3
SupportA reason or evidence backing a claim. a claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on… with reasoning, evidenceFacts or sources used to support an argument., or a rebuttalAn argument that challenges an opponent’s claim or supporting reason..A reason, evidence, or rebuttal supporting a claim: unsupported (0), plausible (1), grounded (2), or resilient (3).

Board limit

12 claims per side
Each claimA statement you argue is true. Its value and the conditions for earning points depend on… can carry up to 12 supports. New arguments and supporting reasons keep adding points.No debate fills the board. Restating a point already made earns nothing.

Rebuttal

Deduct points from an opposing argument.A support that answers one of the other side's points takes points off it: the rebuttal's grade minus that point's grade, plus 1. It never takes less than 0 or more than the rebuttal's own grade.

Earns nothing

Repetition, filler, or arguing the opposing position.Restating a point, filler, and arguing the other side's position. Repeating six or more words that side was already credited for earns 0.

Round card

10–9 or 10–10
Higher point gain: 10–9. Equal gain: 10–10.

Minimum score

Can fall below zero

Short

Higher total across three exchange cards winsEach card scores the point gain across one turn from each character.

Standard / Extended

Higher total across three round cards winsRound cards decide the winner, even if the other character earned more argument points overall.

Draw

Equal card totals

Other topics

No declared winnerApplies to conversation, scenario, and collaboration topics.

Rating

No change

Completion XP

5 topic XP

Time limit

None

Turn limit

None

Idle timeout

10 minutes

Rating

No change

Bond XP

2 XP per message of 10+ words

Daily limit

10 qualifying messages per character