Howdy everyone, welcome back to the Knowledge Pool. This week we are back to a Silver scenario. L2s should wait until Friday to join in.

Aidan is playing against Naaraa in the top 8 of a large Competitive REL tournament that has video and text coverage. Both players were given access to each other's decklist prior to the start of the match, as they had been previously posted online. During Game 2, you turn around from watching another match and see that both players are reading their opponent's decklist during the game. When asked, they explain that they thought this was okay, and both wanted to review what their opponent might have sideboarded. What do you do?

As noticed that refering to notes made before matches between games isn't an issue, refering to them in the middle of games is certainly a problem. Both Aidan and Naaraa commited this infraction that we call Outside Assistance, and as observed in the latest policy update, we have a downgrade for information that could legally be obtained between games where the infractors receive a Game Loss instead of the usual Match Loss. For this infraction, if you're not the Head Judge, it's recommended that the Head Judge is called to apply the penalty.
Since both players commited the same infraction thus receiving the same penalty in the middle of their game, they won't lose a game for match reporting but the penalty is still recorded as a Game Loss. Their current game will end and they will start a new one, where the player choosing to play or draw is the one that's behind in the match (or just like they started this one, for the sake of simplicity).

Edit: Changed “ahead in the match” for “behind in the match” which is actually what I intended to say. :P

Edited Leonardo da Luz (Oct. 5, 2017 08:27:27 AM)

I agree with what Leonardo posted. Usually it would be a Game Loss for Outside Assistance, by we have the downgrade to GL since they would have access to these notes between games.

Give both players a GL (with HJ permission), it doesnt affect their match score, they end the current game, whoever went first during this game gets to choose for the next game. No time extension needed as it is in the Top 8, educate the players on what they did wrong, play continues until they reach a winner.

Leonardo's fix seems like the least disruptive fix for the match. Makes sense to me!

Thanks to everyone who joined in this week. Leonardo was quick to the answer.

He was correct that we have new guidance for this situation, and that the new Outside Assistance downgrade, as well as ofsetting Game Losses apply.

Both Aidan and Naara have solicited and received Outside Assistance. The information they acquired was available to them between games, as the decklists were effectively part of their sideboard notes, so the downgrade clause in OA applies. Each receives a Game Loss for Outside Assistance, these game losses are not applied as they were issued at the same time. Game 2 of the match ends and is not recorded, a new Game 2 begins. Be sure to remind both players what constitutes notes, and that they should not look at their notes during a game.

I also want to quickly call out that as it was noted by both Leonardo and Callum, this is likely a large event that you have a Head Judge to get involved here. This is notable because sharing decklists isn't a thing that happens often, generally just at Professional REL events like GPs and PTs, and at other events with both video and text coverage, like the StarCityGames.com Open series. Even if you're running a similar event, it is unlikely that you need to exchange decklists like this, and if you think it's necessary, you should consult your RC or other leadership before doing so.