Competitive Teams
This is the center of Zone laser tag. All the big competitions (ZLTAC, ZLTWC) are focused on this format, with some other formats added as “Side Events”.
Rules
3 teams of 5 players
Bases including home base
Teams have to defend their own base while attacking their 2 opponents’ bases. Each team starts in their home base.
3 Shots to destroy
It takes 3 shots to destroy a base. The first 2 shots are worth -500. This means it’s important to take that 3rd shot. On the 3rd shot, you get 4000 points (making each base essentially worth 3000 points). Being shot before you finish or taking too long resets the base, meaning you have to start again and have lost points for nothing. We call this a ‘deny‘.
1 destroy
You can only destroy a base once.
Base Evacuation
You must leave the base area if you have been deactivated and may not enter until you are active. Sites where competitive teams is played should have base lines marked on the ground so you know where you can/cannot go while deactivated. It’s a very good idea to have someone show you these lines when playing at a new site.
No Covering
You must not cover up or block any of your sensors. This means you have to be careful where you put your arms. Click here for covering interpretations.
Different countries and competitions play this format with their own settings. This means different timing for game time, base reset and recovery, fire rate, deactivation, etc. There are also some different rules such as reloads, health, power, stuns, etc. You can find a table of settings these in Rules & Regulations.
Variations
Doubles/Triples
This format can be played in teams of 2s or 3s as well. This format is commonly used for Doubles in competitions.
In these variations there are no home bases – instead all teams can get all 3 bases, so it’s up to the team if/when they defend a base. This also allows there to be far more teams in the maze. Usually this is around 8 or fewer.