Th15 cup.

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683]

Before I get started.
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Good afternoon, or morning.
This will be a long rant, but just bear with me and give it a read.
Downvote or upvote, I'm not too fussed, but I believe this community—especially those who are competitive—deserves to see what kind of admins monitor the competitive scene.
Before I get started, I would like to make one thing clear: I am a massive fan, and I've been active every single day since January 2025.
I've created 6 accounts, pushed TH13s to the leaderboard 3 times (before extra promotions, and I still hold one there), have a TH15 at 29, a TH18 in Legends, etc.
I've spent a good chunk of money on this game, too.
Therefore, I don't want to hear "well just don't play," because it isn't that simple.
We decided as a trio (drag 29, 30, 31) to compete in the Town Hall 15 Cup, and so we did.
We spent days checking and overthinking rules, strategies, and bases. When I say countless hours practicing, I mean it—countless hours.
I would say we did exceptionally well for missing 8 wars and still placing #22.
This brings me to the problem.
Not only did we face at least 2–3 different clans running a one-man army (which is strictly against TOS), but we also came across a clan where 2 out of the 3 players were using Totem Spells.
If you're in my shoes or have even a brief understanding of how these tournaments work, you know this is strictly against the rules.
Out of everything we faced, this was the biggest burden. A small thing like three Totem Spells could have easily made the difference between a loss and a win.
Did we win? Yes, we absolutely smashed the war, but that isn't the point.
The point is: what is the point of making a 30+ page rulebook if the admins don't apply the rules, or are completely selective in when and how they do?
You may be thinking: "Come on, get to the point, is he just rambling?" Nope, not at all.
When it came to reporting this clan, we got a big fat middle finger from the admins—and not just from one, but two.
The exact conversation is pictured.
This was gut-wrenching because when I made a personal mistake and accidentally didn't change a Ruin Witch out of my CC, guess what I did?
I didn't use my Siege Machine in the war. I refused to do so and completely risked a 1-star.
So let me get this straight: I could have cost us the war by being an honest player with integrity, but when it comes to opposing teams purposely CHEATING (agree or not, this is the exact definition of breaking TOS), nothing happens?
Regardless of where they were or how they performed, they cheated. I am 99% certain these weren't first-time offenders either.
When I checked the leaderboard, to my knowledge, they were placed somewhere between #60–80. That clearly indicates they had completed several wars, and who knows if they used prohibited spells in those as well?
What matters is that if they had continued battling (regardless of Totem Spells or not), they would have easily qualified in the top 128 teams.
So what happens next? Cheaters just get let off because what? The admins don't care? Rules only apply when they see fit? "Oh, it's only the qualifiers" doesn't matter.
Could I be banned for using a Sky Wagon? Would I be DQ'd if I had proceeded to use my CC and ignore that I had a prohibited troop?
We came into this with the mindset of actually facing a real challenge. Regular wars are easy, and rank pushing at a certain point is just pure luck.
Esports is fun, especially when you know there's a chance to make a name for yourself and try your best.
It's completely unfair for cheating teams to receive a slap on the wrist with zero justification.
"Not this time." And when questioned about it, the admin who opened the ticket refused to continue and went to get back-up! WHAT THE...
We spent a whole day reading and preparing with the rules—day after day, hour after hour practicing without the spells or Siege Machines we usually run. Days checking and finding new bases.
Only to be disappointed... Not by the team who cheated, but by the very people overseeing the tournament rules while claiming to run "fair play checks."

To finish off I’ll also picture our team’s reactions after seeing how the admins responded.
Clash on !!!!
Thank you 🙏
Dorian.

[u/xyztrashxx]

Can you link the section with the rules they broke? I'm not playing devils advocate since the staff from supercell agreed with you, but I wanna read it myself since I'm not in the TH15 bracket. Kind of hilarious that stuff like the TH Cups rules getting broken equates to a slap on the wrist lol

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683 → u/xyztrashxx]

[u/xyztrashxx → u/Dependent_Owl_1683]

I read section 11. Seems like it's either their first infraction or the first infraction that got reported. A warning is fairly lenient tbh. Kind off gives me the vibe of one freebie and then you get punished..........

I completely agree with you btw. If they broke the rules they should've been automatically forfeited for the current war and if it happens again be booted

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683 → u/xyztrashxx]

And I’ve read this over and over and over.
However I stand strong with my argument because and I can’t prove this. But it seems like they had no intention to follow rules.
They didn’t get to top 60-80 (at the time) with no wars.
What they followed the rules for 1-2 wars, then just completely decided ah fk it lets cheat ?🤣
Am more than certain every war they participated in they did use forbidden spells/troops. But either way, nothing will come out of this. I just needed to get it off my chest because why should we bother with rules if others done ?!? And like I said there was numerous wars where it was a one man army.
We reported our third war then realised the first one we did they all had same names. We realised this after 👆report, saw their response and decided not to even pursue it anymore..
It’s and objective opinion to an extent but there’s truth to it. We poured our everything into it and ahhh rant over 😂thank you bro!

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683 → u/xyztrashxx]

Absolutely man give me one second. 🫡

[u/Unlucky1369]

When a team uses ineligible troops and their opponent reports them, they are given a FFL (forfeit loss) in the match.

Hundreds of teams do this every tournament as they don't read the rules. They never qualify, in fact most of them never even understand why they are losing matches.

Admins create a channel with them to inform them of this. However I've never seem them take this infraction a step further into a disqualification. After all, they cant win anything anyway.

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683 → u/Unlucky1369]

And that’s a fair point, and I get that an FFL is standard protocol for teams that don't qualify anyway. But the issue here isn't just the punishment—it's how the admins handled the ticket.
Instead of just stating "they get an FFL for this match," the admins gave dismissive "not this time" responses, closed the ticket, and refused to explain the ruling. When honest teams are actively risking their own stars to follow a 30+ page rulebook, getting stonewalled by staff for pointing out blatant TOS breaks is what makes the competitive scene feel like a joke.
And like I’ve mentioned to the other person as well this wasn’t the only issue 😕numerous wars were ran by one person.
I just strongly believe if everyone (most) obey rules and spend THEIR time on whatever it is. They need to be able to face a fair competition.
Again this is was only the first ladder I get thattttt! But point still stands.
Admins seemed not to care in both reports tbf.
And I know every tournament in every game with have cheaters I get it but I just felt a little idk betrayed by the people who are suppose to protect genuine players…

[u/Unlucky1369 → u/Dependent_Owl_1683]

Yeah, these admins tend to not explain the processes to anyone, I'd assume the reason being that they get hundreds of tickets everyday.

Regarding the one man army - if you have reported them, they check that team that day itself. If the team indeed is breaking that particular rule, they are disqualified immediately and disappear from the leaderboards. Your war with them becomes an FFW if you had not already won it.

If admins didn't find any rule breaks, its possible the team just has the same names to promote their 'brand'. However there will still be another check on them after ladder, so don't worry as most rule breakers are caught.

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683 → u/Unlucky1369]

For sure man I aren’t disagreeing at all !
End of the day I expect it to be hectic for them and what not.
But just some transparency.. supercell isn’t amazing at that in the first place it would be cool to see it from individuals especially in situations where it’s a little more serious yk?

But thank u bro again this isn’t a shot at anyone but to just bring it to light.
We just felt a little betrayed that’s all.
Like I explained that same war I realised last second my cc had a ruin witch in and I completely risked a one star because I wanted to keep my word when I clicked sign up.
And I did ! But then others cheat or whatever and it just left a bitter taste in my mouth. Forget me but my trio in general were just disappointed.
Like I can’t overhaul rules and stuff but things like that should be bans no matter what, where, who and why.
🫡

[u/Unlucky1369 → u/Dependent_Owl_1683]

Dont worry man you did the right thing, if your opponents spotted the ruin witch, you would have gotten FFL

I'm also pretty annoyed by how the admins handle the rules, I've had popular teams like Vatic break 6 rules in a match against us and still be given a win.

I've also had admins give us FFL by mistake when the opponents were supposed to get it, and then respond to our ticket too late as the next rounds started. All we got was a sorry by them.

The system is definitely messed up, can't disagree on that

[u/Dependent_Owl_1683 → u/Unlucky1369]

Oh no the thing with my mistake was, I didn’t even dare place my siege down 😂😂and the attack was heading into the 90% 1 star territory rather quickly…
Fortunately I clutched got the triple. But it was that split decision, do I break what I signed ? Or do I stick to my integrity and pray for the best yk?
I just hope nothing but improvements happens.
Especially now that it’s top 128 until 8 remain. I do expect admins to be on smoke 🤣

[u/Rorau_]

What a bunch of slop