Nexus COD League Rules

These rules establish the official rules and standards for competition in the Nexus COD League. They ensure fair play, competition integrity, and a consistent experience for all participants across the league.

These rules are adapted from official Call of Duty League (CDL) and Challengers standards, while also accommodating the specific needs of our competitors and leagues.

All participants are expected to compete with professionalism, respect, and sportsmanship. Rules may be updated throughout the season in response to CDL/Challengers announcements, game patches, or league-specific adjustments. Updates will be published in the change log and communicated via Discord.

Season Overview

• 4v4 Best-of-5
• First to win 3 maps wins the match
• Match Win = 10 NCL Season Points
• Game wins/losses are tracked only for tiebreakers

Two Matches Per Week

• Scheduling threads open each Monday by noon and matches must be played between Tuesday and Sunday.

Double Round Robin Regular Season

• Every team plays every other team twice in their division
• Season length depends on total teams

Halfway through the season, all teams compete in a bonus-point tournament:

• Placement in this event awards extra points added to season totals
• A chance for teams to recover, surge, or widen the gap

Other Season 1 Perks

• Official NCL League Merch + team-specific merch
• 1-2 Matches of the Week broadcasts each week
• Full broadcast of Semi-Finals & Championship
• Season 1 teams receive first right of refusal for Season 2
• Individual & Team Awards, including:
  • Most Kills
  • Most Donuts
  • Most Aces
  • Clutch Master
  • And more…

Nexus Donut Club

Players who get a donut (0 kills in S&D; 0 time in objective on Hardpoint or Overload) in a game are automatically inducted.

• Can be removed for a small fee
• VIP teams receive three free removals

MATCH ROSTER RULES
• Starting lineup must be locked 1 hour before match
• Once Best of 5 match begins, no substitutions unless:

• A legitimate emergency occurs
• AND the opposing team agrees

LEAGUE SECURITY & COMPETITIVE INTEGRITY

To maintain fair and trustworthy competition, all games will be monitored by a neutral observer from Nexus Gaming and all players will do a live video security check-in prior to each match. In addition, the following measures will be taken:

Streaming / Recording Requirements

All players must do one of the following for every match:

• Stream to a public platform

• OR stream to the league’s private security platform

• OR record full gameplay / individual round clips

Recording Retention:

• Players must keep all recordings for 72 hours

• League officials may request footage at any time

Dispute Window:

• Any dispute must be submitted within 24 hours of match completion Failure to comply may result in forfeits, point deductions, suspensions, or removal.

SCORE REPORTING

After each game:

• Winning team captain submits a scoreboard screenshot

After each match:

• Winning team captain reports the match result

Verification

• The match observer and opposing team must confirm all screenshots & reports

• Missing or incorrect submissions may result in penalties.

RULES OF CONDUCT & FAIR PLAY
The NCL is a non-toxic, competitive, and professional environment.

Non-Toxic Behavior
The following are strictly prohibited:
• Harassment, slurs, targeted insults
• Excessive trash talk crossing into toxicity
• Body shielding is permitted, however, the act known as “diddying” (repeatedly moving the captive player in a manner that simulates a sexual act) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED
• Intentionally “shooting bodies”

Penalty: Warning or immediate round forfeit depending on the severity and as determined by the match official; escalates if repeated and may include expulsion from the league

Fair Play Requirements
The following are NOT allowed:
• Snaking
• Stair glitching
• Window glitching
• Exploits or unintended map mechanics
• Banned settings, attachments, or items as prescribed within these rules

Cheating
Any form of cheating = instant major penalty, including:
• Aimbots / wallhacks
• Cronus Zen / Titan 2 / Strikepack manipulation
• Software macros
• Unauthorized mods or game manipulation

PENALTY LADDER
Level 1 – Minor Infractions
Examples: late screenshots, late lineup submissions, some toxic behaviors
Penalties: warning → point deduction → forced replay

Level 2 – Integrity Infractions
Examples: snaking, window glitches, missing recordings
Penalties: warning → round/game forfeit (depending on game mode see GA section) → larger match or season point deductions → 1-match suspension

Level 3 – Serious Infractions
Examples: diddying, harassment, suspected cheating refusing to submit proof
Penalties: round/game forfeit → full match forfeit → screen cam → multi-match suspension → expulsion from league

Level 4 – Cheating & Severe Misconduct
Examples: confirmed cheating, repeated serious violations
Penalties: season forfeiture → player ban → team removal from the NCL

Sign-up dates are FINAL. The online team registration is to be completed. Rosters are to be turned in with all needed information, member details, and payments to expedite the process for Nexus Gaming.

Standard Registration

• 4 Starters
• 2 Alternate
• No roster changes after the Mid-Season Tournament
• Match lineup changes allowed up to 60 minutes before match time

MVP Registration

• 4 Starters + 3 Alternates
• 3 free Donut Club removals
• Roster changes allowed one extra week past mid-season
• Match lineup changes allowed up to 30 minutes before match time

Player Eligibility

Player eligibility is determined at roster submission and remains locked for the season. Players who rise into a restricted rank after registration may finish the current season, but may be ineligible for the same division in future seasons.

• A valid Activision ID is required for participation. Faceit ID may be required for verification.

• Banned players listed on the Restricted Player List or serving a suspension are ineligible.

• Due to roster influx, players may NOTplay more than 2x matches a week.

Division Restrictions

Open Division

• No players with NO more than 500 Challengers Pro Points may participate at the time of registration.
• No U18 COD League Finalist Players (T3 Placement) Allowed
• No FORMER Pro in the CDL Era Allowed

Roster Composition

• Standard roster size is four starting players.

• Teams may register up to two substitutes.

Roster Changes

• Rosters lock after the published deadline each season.

• Teams may make limited roster changes before the roster lock.

• Emergency substitutions are permitted only with admin approval and are permanent for the remainder of the playoff stage once activated.

Emergency Sub Definition

When an emergency sub is used, the team may need to drop a player depending upon:

• If Roster Slots are available, the emergency sub is added to the roster.
• If Roster Slots are unavailable, the emergency sub is added to the roster, and an existing player is removed from the roster.

• For playoffs, one emergency substitute may be added with admin approval, provided all eligibility requirements are met.

• Each team may register one coach, who must follow coach guidelines.

Seeding based on final season points

Tiebreakers:

Head-to-Head match win %

Head-to-Head game win %

Overall season game win %

Tournament Structure

• Single elimination for rounds 1–3

• Top 4 seeds receive a first-round bye

• Played across 3 weeks:

•  Week 1: Round 1 + Round 2
•  Week 2: Semi-Finals
•  Week 3: Championship

Championship Match

• Final two teams play a Best-of-7 match to decide the NCL Champion

Pro Division Champion: $500 Cash Prize

Developmental Division Champion: Gaming Gear Prize Pack

Competitive Settings

Competitive Settings for Call of Duty adjust over time. When available, the rules represent the settings currently active in our Call of Duty League play. The restricted items listed are prohibited from use in official league matches.

Maps & Modes

The following maps and modes will be available for play in official matches. Other game modes may be added or changed upon the official release of the game.

Official Call of Duty League Game Modes:

• Hardpoint (Games 1 & 4)
• Search & Destroy (Games 2 & 5)
• Overload (Game 3)

Official Call of Duty Maps:

• Hardpoint
  • Colossus
  • Den
  • Gridlock
  • Sake
  • Scar
• Search & Destroy
  • Den
  • Fringe
  • Gridlock
  • Plaza
  • Raid
  • Scar
• Overload
  • Den
  • Exposure
  • Scar

Online Map and Host Veto Process

See the official online map veto process utilized by the Call of Duty League, but with slight changes to Hosting and Picking Sides. Map Vetoes and hosting decisions must be completed at least 30 minutes before the game!See below for more details.

Home (second team listed on schedule) team acts as Team B in the hosting, map selection, and veto process.

Hosting Process (A neutral party will host all Match of the Week Broadcasts)

• Team A will host games 2 & 4 and choose sides 1, 3, and 5.
• Team B will host games 1, 3, & 5 and choose sides 2 and 4.

(For tournaments and playoffs, Higher seeded Team must choose to act as Team A or Team B.)

Gentleperson’s Agreements have been part of the CDL for many years now, as experienced professionals in the league aim to balance the game and ensure the competition has competitive integrity and fairness.

We will use the latest GAs publicly available. Any agreement changes or restrictions agreed upon by the Pros and documented publicly will be used for official league matches.

GA’s Restricted Items

These restricted items listed below are based within the Gentleperson’s Agreement. These items are in addition to the existing Restricted Items referenced by Activision in Competitive Settings. Due to constant tweaks and changes, teams may agree to use unofficial updates (e.g., The Rotation, CDL Intel, BreakingPoint etc.). During these instances, unofficial updates may not be enforced by the league until publicly affirmed by Activision.

All weapon blueprints are banned from league play, this includes CDL blueprints and tracers of any kind.

Assault Rifles

• M15– ALLOWED
• MUST NOT USE MUZZLE AND MUST RUN LETHAL TOOLS ELO

Sub-Machine Guns

• Dravec– ALLOWED

 

• MPC– ALLOWED
• MUST USE RAZORBACK BARREL
• MUST NOT USE RECOIL SPRINGS OR OVERPRESSURED
• MUST NOT USE MUZZLES OTHER THAN HIPFIRE/MOBILY SPREAD MUZZLE

Sniper Rifles

• VS RECON – ALLOWED (1X PER TEAM – SND ONLY)
  • NOTE:INCLUDES 4V4 VARIANT MATCHES
  • NO ATTACHMENTS ALLOWED

Primary

• ALL ASSAULT RIFLES – ALL BANNED EXCEPT ABOVE ALLOWED
• ALL BATTLEPASS GUNS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL LMGS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL MARKSMAN – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL SHOTGUNS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL SUB-MACHINE GUNS – ALL BANNED EXCEPT ABOVE ALLOWED
• ALL SNIPERS – ALL BANNED EXCEPT ABOVE ALLOWED IN SND
• BLUEPRINTS WITH DEATH EFFECTS – NOT ALLOWED
• TRACER ROUNDS – NOT ALLOWED

Secondary

• ALL LAUNCHERS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL SPECIAL WEAPONS – NOT ALLOWED
• VELOX 5.7 – NOT ALLOWED
• CODA 9 – NOT ALLOWED
• JAGER 45 – ALLOWED NO ATTACHMENTS ALLOWED

Attachments

GUN-SPECIFIC GA’S ARE STATED ABOVE FOR M15 AND MPC, INCLUDING THE ONES ALSO FEATURED AGAIN BELOW.

• OPTICS W/ MAGNIFICATION – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL HEADSHOT MULTIPLIER BARRELS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL LAUNCHER UNDER BARRELS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL LASERS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL PRESTIGE ATTACHMENTS – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL SILENCERS – NOT ALLOWED
• CHF BARREL – NOT ALLOWED
• RAPID FIRE – NOT ALLOWED
• FMJ – NOT ALLOWED
• INTEGRATED SUPPRESSOR BARREL – NOT ALLOWED
• AKIMBO – NOT ALLOWED
• MFS SEMI AUTO FAST MAG – NOT ALLOWED
• LTI TARGET FINDER – NOT ALLOWED
• MILIMETER SCANNER – NOT ALLOWED
• MUZZLES –NOT ALLOWED ON ASSAULT RIFLES ONLY
• LTI TARGET FINDER V2 – NOT ALLOWED
• HOVERPOINT ELO OPTIC – NOT ALLOWED
  
• VAS CONVERGENCE FORGRIP/BULLET DEVIATION GRIP – NOT ALLOWED
• MPC GA’S – MUST USE RAZORBACK BARREL –MUST NOT USE RECOIL SPRINGS OR OVERPRESSURED –MUST NOT USE MUZZLES OTHER THAN HIPFIRE/MOBILY SPREAD MUZZLE
• M15 GA’S – MUST USE LETHAL TOOLS ELO NO OTHER SIGHTS OR IRON SIGHTS, MUZZLES BANNED.

Melee

• KNIFE – ALLOWED
• BALLISTIC KNIFE – NOT ALLOWED
• FLATLINE MK.II – NOT ALLOWED

Scorestreaks

NOTE: The only Scorestreaks allowed are listed.

• HELLSTROM – ALLOWED

Lethals

NOTE: The only Lethals allowed are listed.

• FRAG – ALLOWED
• SEMTEX – ALLOWED

Tacticals

NOTE: The only Tacticals allowed are listed.

• STUN – ALLOWED
• SMOKE – ALLOWED (SND ONLY)

Field Upgrades

NOTE: The only Field Upgrades allowed are listed.

• TROPHY SYSTEM – ALLOWED
• MUNITIONS BOX – ALLOWED (DO NOT THROW)
• MUTE CHARGE – ALLOWED
• MUTE FIELD – NOT ALLOWED

Perk 1

NOTE: The only Perks allowed are listed. Flak Jacket/Tech Mask CANNOT be equipped at the same time. You may only use one per class.

• FLAK JACKET – ALLOWED
• LIGHTWEIGHT – ALLOWED
• NINJA – ALLOWED

Perk 2

NOTE: The only Perks allowed are listed. Flak Jacket/Tech Mask CANNOT be equipped at the same time. You may only use one per class.

• FAST HANDS – ALLOWED
• TECH MASK – ALLOWED

Perk 3

NOTE: The only Perks allowed are listed.

• DEXTERITY – ALLOWED

Specialty Perks

• ALL CORE COMBAT – NOT ALLOWED
• ALL HYBRID COMBAT – ALLOWED

Wildcard

NOTE: The only Wildcards allowed are listed.

• PERK GREED – ALLOWED

Operator Skin

• • ALL BLACKCELL OPERATORS – NOT ALLOWED
  • REAPER EWR-3 – NOT ALLOWED
  • T.E.D.D. – NOT ALLOWED

Misc Other

Use of items below may result in a game forfeit, by Admin decision:

• Any use of content that provides a competitive advantage may not be used in league play.
• Using a location that is considered out of bounds, or unintended for being usable is not allowed. Using an unintended line of sight (i.e. Stair Glitching) is NOTallowed.
• NO EXCESSIVE SNAKING! NO MORE THAN 2X PUMPS!
• Turn off automatic doors

Broken GA’s

If the GA is broken during the match, then the affected team may leave the lobby and report a broken GA to the Game Admin.

The affected team must provide substantial photo or visual evidence to back up their claim. Leaving a map too early without proper proof can lead to your team forfeiting a game.

Broken GA Matches Eligible for Restart

Eligible games will be stopped and restarted at the time of the offense. GA’s need to be reported before the start of the next game! This allows us to rule properly during a series match. The offending team will need to resolve the broken GA!

1. Hardpoint
   • The round will be replayed if the GA was broken prior to the first rotation of all objectives. If broken after the first rotation of all objectives, then the offending team forfeits the map.
2. Search & Destroy
   • If a Player breaks GA within the first thirty (30) seconds and/or before the first kill, the round should be ended and replayed. If broken after the first thirty (30) seconds, then the offending team forfeits the round.
3. Overload
   • The round will be replayed if the GA was broken before the control of the first segment. If broken after the control of the first segment, then the offending team forfeits the round. **PENDING UPDATE**

Punishment for Breaking GA’s

Teams will be penalized for breaking the GA. Game Admins will be tallying any offenses and giving out the following punishments for obstruction:

Minor Infraction: Defined as a rule break or action that goes against the listed ruleset, but is determined to have little to no impact on the outcome of a game/map.

1. After Game Reporting:
   • First infraction is a Warning (Round or Game Loss by admin discretion)
   • Second infraction is a Game Loss
   • Third infraction is a Match Loss
2. After Match Reporting:
   • First infraction is a Warning (Game Loss by admin discretion)
   • Two or more game infractions by the match winner is a replay of the second infraction game win, and then onward if needed

Major Infraction: Defined as a rule break or action that violates the CDL ruleset, or is a GA violation determined to have potential or significant impact on the outcome of a game. Flagrant offenses.

1. After Game Reporting:
   • First infraction is a Game Loss (or replay by admin discretion)
   • Second infraction is a Match Loss
2. After Match Reporting:
   • Game Loss (must have sufficient and clear evidence).

League Stream Schedule

The league will schedule a Match of the Week broadcast each Thursday. We understand that representation matters; therefore, the league will ensure all teams have been featured before repeating teams or opening to requests.

Watch Party Casting

To increase community engagement, we will be allowing organizations, coaches, and members of the community to cast a Watch Party!

The following outlines the policy and rules pertaining to the broadcasting/streaming of matches that are not broadcast by Nexus Gaming:

• One non-rostered representative from each team may join the match lobby as a Cod Caster and stream directly to a public streaming channel (not Discord),
• If only one team is able to join to stream, the opposing team MUST agree to the single Cod Caster,
• The individuals Cod Casting/Streaming MUST join the Observer VC for their match to ensure no verbal communications with the teams are occurring,
• If a coach or owner is the caster for their organization, they may only visit their team’s VC between games,
• The stream must be on a minimum of a 30 second delay with 45 seconds the preference,
• All VODs must stay public for a minimum of 72 hours,
• On the stream information you must mention Nexus COD League from Nexus Gaming and Sponsored by Abodio (ideally you would place our logo and the Abodio logo in the stream as well, although not required),
• If in the judgement of the observer or Nexus Gaming, we believe that stream sniping or prohibited communications are occurring, we reserve the right to at a minimum terminate the broadcast and at a maximum terminate the match and award a victory to the opposing team by forfeit,
• No organization may rebroadcast a Nexus Gaming broadcasted match unless doing it as a co-stream via Twitch, i.e., you may not stream into Discord as we and you will want the actual views on Twitch which you can both get if you co-stream the event.

Casting the matches is a privilege, not a guaranteed right of registration in the league. The league reserves the right to terminate and individual or team’s permission to cast or broadcast matches.

To maintain fair and trustworthy competition, all games will be monitored by a neutral observer from Nexus Gaming and all players will do a live video security check-in prior to each match.

• For PC players:
  • Desktop will be reviewed
  • Task manager scanned
  • and in some cases, third-party scanning software may be used
• For console players:
  • Live video of your console setup will occur checking for prohibited peripherals, modded controllers, etc.

In addition, the following measures will be taken:

Streaming / Recording Requirements

All players must do one of the following for every match:

• Stream to a public platform
• OR stream to the league’s private security platform
• OR record full gameplay / individual round clips
• OR agree to retain their theater mode recording for 72 hours

Recording Retention:

• For players streaming or recording, they must keep all recordings and theater mode recording for 72 hours
• League officials may request footage at any time

Dispute Window:

• Any dispute must be submitted within 24 hours of match completion by completing a Cheating Accusation ticket in the Nexus Gaming Discord server
• Failure to comply may result in forfeits, point deductions, suspensions, or removal.

SCORE REPORTING

After each game of the match:

• Winning team captain submits a scoreboard screenshot in the match scheduling thread for their match

After each match:

•  Winning team captain reports the match result in the match scheduling thread for their match

Verification

• The match observer and opposing team must confirm all screenshots & reports
• Missing or incorrect submissions may result in penalties.