Vanguard lets you run multi-round events at scale. The flow is simple:
- You run 1–2 Qualifying Rounds to select the strongest participants.
- The platform then builds Head-to-Head Rounds (Bracket) where winners advance until the champion is decided.
- Optionally, you can add a Third-Place Match.
Below is a clear overview of how the engine works, followed by step-by-step setup guidance.
- Qualifying Rounds (1 or 2): everyone submits; judges score; you choose how many people advance.
- Advancing Count → Bracket Size: in the final Qualifying Round you set Number of Advancing.
This determines the bracket size and the total number of head-to-head rounds:
- 8 participants → 3 rounds
- 16 participants → 4 rounds
- 32 participants → 5 rounds
- 64 participants → 6 rounds
- 128 participants → 7 rounds
- 256 participants (maximum) → 8 rounds
The bracket requires a power-of-two (8/16/32/64/128/256). Ensure you pass an even, bracket-ready count.
- Head-to-Head Rounds (Bracket): participants are paired; the higher total score in each pair advances.
- Third-Place Match (optional): creates one extra match between semifinal non-winners.
You can always adjust round settings, and if something goes wrong, move a round backward/forward to fix it.
Changing a round’s status triggers participant notifications and is logged in the event feed.
Rankings/ratings are recalculated after key state changes (e.g., after winners are confirmed); this may process later (e.g., the next day) due to batching.
1. Open Rounds: In the event menu (left side), select Rounds.
2. Add Qualifying Round: Click Add Qualifying Round.
Need two qualifiers? Add the second one the same way.
3. Deadlines: Set Track Submission Deadline and Judging Deadline.
4. Track Length: Set maximum length in seconds.
5. Theme & Task (optional):
- Theme: the prompt or topic (e.g., lyrics, diss, storytelling).
- Task: special requirements (e.g., a specific hook, invite a guest, etc.).
- Add multiple options with Add Theme / Assignment (participants pick one).
6. Score Visibility (choose one):
- As Entered — scores visible as soon as judges submit.
- During Submissions — judges may score as tracks arrive (before the deadline).
- After Completion — scores revealed only when the round closes.
7. Judge Comments: Required, Optional, or Disabled.
8. Scoring Criteria:
- For a simple pass/fail, create one criterion named “Score” with a max value of 1 (vote for/against).
- For point-based scoring, set max points (e.g., 10).
Add as many criteria as you need via Add Criterion.
9. Additional Information (optional): notes for participants; appears above the list of entries.
10. Number of Advancing (mandatory): set how many participants move into the bracket.
This single number determines the bracket size and total head-to-head rounds the system will generate.
When all judging is in:
- Go to Management → Current Stage → Determine Winners.
- Open the relevant Qualifying Round.
- Mark participants:
- ✅ Passed — winner advances
- Click Save Changes.
- Then set Management → Current Stage → Completed.
After you confirm the advancing count in the final qualifier, Vanguard auto-generates the bracket.
- Deadlines: Track Submission + Judging.
- Track Length: max seconds.
- Theme & Task: optional, just like in qualifiers (one or multiple topics).
- Score Visibility: same three modes as above.
- Judge Comments: required/optional/disabled.
- Scoring Criteria: single yes/no (max=1) or multi-criterion point system (e.g., 3×10).
- Ties: head-to-head rounds must produce a winner. Judges are expected to break ties by casting a decisive vote or adjusting a criterion per your rules.
Manage the event lifecycle from Management → Current Stage. Typical statuses:
- Planning — drafting rounds, rules, branding.
- Pairing — seeding/arranging participants into pairs (for bracket rounds).
- Submissions Open — accepting tracks (submission deadline active).
- Judging — scores/comments incoming (judging deadline active).
- Determine Winners — lock scores and mark winners.
- Completed — round/event finished; results published.
- Canceled — round/event stopped.
You may move a round backward/forward to correct mistakes. Each change:
- Sends notifications to participants/subscribers,
- Appears in the event activity feed,
- May trigger rating recalculation (not immediate; processed in scheduled batches).
- Use an odd number of judges (3/5/7) to reduce ties.
- Keep qualifier criteria simple; use richer, multi-criterion scoring in later rounds.
- Communicate themes/tasks clearly so participants know exactly what to deliver.
Summary:
Set up 1–2 Qualifying Rounds, choose the Number of Advancing, and Vanguard will build your Head-to-Head Bracket automatically. Configure each round (deadlines, themes, visibility, scoring), mark winners with ✅. Use statuses to control the flow, and adjust when needed—notifications and rating updates will follow.