Zero-K 1v1 Dragon's Breath tournament March 21st! ($120 prizes)

Zero-K 1v1 Dragon's Breath tournament March 21st! ($120 prizes)


Not only is great Zero-K skill rewarded but so is making the greatest play of the tournament as voted by the community! Be that a crazy comeback, some great execution with snitches, or glaive micro that gives the enemy nightmares.

Tournament starts 19:00 UTC March 21st 2026, please show up slightly earlier


Tournament structure:
It’ll be a double elimination tournament, each matchup best of 1 until the top 8, then best of 3.

Battle setup:
To find the maps to play on
For best of 1: Lower seat bans first, then higher seat bans 2 maps, then lower seat picks (A-BB-A format)
For best of 3: Both players ban 1 map, then lower seat picks, then higher seat picks, higher seat bans, then lower seat picks decider
Map pool:

Some of these maps may seem weird for a 1v1 tournament, if there are concerns with them don't hesitate to give alternatives. I've chosen these to get a good variety of map types and give the opportunities for less than meta strats
First Rounds (Best of 1)
Heartbreak Hill v4
Fifteen Platforms v1
Mercurial v1.1
Vantage v1.2
Melting Glacier v1.1

Aurelian v1.0 (will likely replace one of the other maps)


Top 8 (Best of 3)
Same as above plus:
Aurelia v4
Mechadansonia v1.02


Prize pool
1st: $50
2nd: $30
3rd: $20
Best moment: $20

Links:
Challonge (bracket)
Stream 64-Bit Dragon link TBD
Stiofitale

Stream delay of 5 minutes minimum to dramatically reduce the effect of stream sniping (for myself and anyone else who wants to cast, if that's you please say so that I can link you here).
Last year the stream delay was quite annoying but I think it's best to keep it for the integrity of the tournament, if the majority of players want it removed please let me know so that I can reconsider.

On tournament day:
Click the little "+" button above the chat in game lobby and type "zktourney" to join the tourney chat room. Being in this new chat will allow me to confirm you've showed up and you can report there once your matches finish which one of you won.
You will be forced into your respective match rooms when they are ready so you do not have to worry about that.
check this post for which maps you have to choose from and how.
Remember you have to be defeated twice to be eliminated, once you're out why not press the matchmaker button and get some matches with the others who got eliminated?

Additional:
The map pool is not set in stone, there might be some changes before the tournament starts.

Sign-Ups:
I know it's very short notice but I hope we can get at least 10 players together!
Stuart98
Qrow
jh_dreemurr
Foongus0298
UnLuky
isaacbenjamin
senshiyukanna
xXMoonLightWolffXx
JayBird
Hexxitfan11_v2
FFC
PLT_Godde
koenradar
ChonkyPeanut
therxyy

In what may be the only recorded instance ever, I will enter a tournament that isn't mine

Put me in Coach

Will be streaming! I favour removing or significantly decreasing the stream delay. From the perspective of streaming, it is much more fun to be able to chat with people live. I understand that people could try to cheat, but I believe in the players to have integrity :)

Can I play too?

This sounds fun, sign me up.

I see someone likes their water maps!
Being on time and in the zktourney chat is good enough yeah.
Duration of the tournament will of course depend on the length and number of matches but I'm expecting about 4 hours. Last year took a lot longer but that was with best of three for all matches, including the lower bracket.

As for the maps, I'll hold off on adding any of them unless others come out in support of specific ones. Currently there isn't a (mostly) water map in the pool so that might still be good to add. If we add one I'd personally think to go with Aurelian.

Agree that Aurelian should be added to the pool. Need to give some of the existing maps in the pool a spin to see if they're good for 1v1s before I recommend which map Aurelian should replace.

About 10 days until the tournament, don't let it be too easy for Stuart!

Sign me up!