Team Battle Formats

For those attempting team battle, some different team battle formats to consider or try. I do not know the actual name of the team battle formats, so if there is a more accurate name, please let me know.

Team battle examples based on 3on3. Team 1 has players A, B, and C. Team 2 has players X, Y, and Z.

Standard Team Battle

One player from each team competes. Winner stays on for the next match, until all players on one team is completely defeated.

Example:

Game 1: A vs X (A wins)
Game 2: A vs Y (A wins)
Game 3: A vs Z (Z wins)
Game 4: B vs Z (Z wins)
Game 5: C vs Z

…until one team is completely eliminated​

3 to 5 total matches played. This is a common and very simple to run format for Virtua Fighter team tournaments. A single player on a team can completely influence the team results. Not all players are guaranteed to get a match.​

Waseda Style Team Battle

All players on each team pair off for the first round. Players that won their matches remain to play in the next round until one team is completely defeated.​

Example:
Round 1

Game 1: A vs X (A wins)
Game 2: B vs Y (B wins)
Game 3: C vs Z (Z wins)​

Round 2

Game 4: A vs Z (Z wins)​

Round 3

Game 5: B vs Z

…until one team is completely eliminated​

3 to 5 total matches played. This is a team battle format that I have seen used in other fighting games and in Julietta's 4on4on4 team VF5US tournaments. All players are guaranteed to get a match. A single player on a team can have a major influence on the team results.​

Table Tennis Style Team Battle

All players on each team pair off in a first to 3 wins team battle. If needed, a game 4 and game 5 are played by the first two players on both teams. The exact order players play is important.

Example:

Game 1: A vs X
Game 2: B vs Y
Game 3: C vs Z
Game 4: A vs Y, if needed.
Game 5: B vs X, if needed.​

3 to 5 total matches played. This is a format I have seen used in table tennis tournaments and seems to be a suitable format for fighting games also. All players are guaranteed to get a match. A player that lost can still play in game 4 or game 5. Players' influence on team results is more spread out, but not equally shared. ​

Single Round of Paired Team Battle

All players on each team pair off for just one round.​

Example:

Game 1: A vs X
Game 2: B vs Y
Game 3: C vs Z​

3 total matches played. Quickest battle format. Every player on a team contributes equally to the team results. However, game 3 may not be needed, if one team won the first two games. Seems more suited with limited setups, time constraints, or team league play. ​

Round Robin Team Battle

Each player on each team plays every player on the other team

Example:
Round 1

Game 1: A vs X
Game 2: B vs Y
Game 3: C vs Z​

Round 2

Game 4: A vs Y
Game 5: B vs Z
Game 6: C vs X​

Round 3

Game 7: A vs Z
Game 8: B vs X
Game 9: C vs Y​

9 total matches played. Longest battle format. Every player on a team contributes equally to the team results and everyone gets to play against each other. However, game 6 to 9 may not be needed, if one team won the first five games. Seems more suited with unlimited setups or team league play. ​

Team Battle Format for Uneven Number of Players

Consideration of team battle format to get as many players involved and not necessarily for balance. The standard and waseda team battle format can be used when having unequal number of players.

You can play as is with the team that have more members having the advantage. However, if the goal is to get all players a chance to play, there is a chance not everyone can with this method.

Or you can give some compensation to the teams with less members to try to balance things out. For example, each team have 5 health or life points. Team 1 has 5 players and Team 2 has 3 players. Team 1, each player has one health and gets eliminated after one loss. Team 2, one or two players have an extra health or two.

Just something to think about for those wanting to do team battles.​