The Judge Program for Star Wars™: Unlimited - A Brief Overview

The Judge Program for Star Wars: Unlimited is designed to create a structured and progressive certification system for judges, starting with an optional Apprentice rank and culminating at Level 5. Each level builds on the previous one, gradually increasing expectations in rules knowledge, policy understanding, and tournament operations expertise.

Judge Apprentice

The journey begins with the Apprentice rank, where candidates acquire basic knowledge of the rules and are taught how to teach and explain the game effectively. Apprentices are not expected to have any knowledge of policy or tournament operations. The training for Apprentices consists of approximately six lessons that cover an introduction to the Judge Program, key game concepts, card anatomy, game structure, action timing, and how to teach the game.

Advancement Requirements

Level 1: Local Judge

Level 1 (L1) judges form the majority of certified judges. They are responsible for head judging Casual Tier events such as prereleases, weekly events, and Store Showdowns. At this level, judges are expected to have a core understanding of the rules, basic policy, and tournament operations knowledge. They should be capable of running events with up to 32 players comfortably. The curriculum for L1 judges includes lessons covering comprehensive rules, tournament operations, software usage, and floor rules.

Advancement Requirements

Level 2: Area Judge

Level 2 (L2) judges are local Competitive-Tier judges who are qualified to Head Judge competitive events at the store level from sixteen to sixty-four players. They also serve as floor judges at larger events, from Planetary Qualifiers all the way to two-thousand player events like Regional Qualifiers. L2 judges are expected to have intermediate knowledge of rules, policy, and tournament operations. The training involves lessons delving deeper into comprehensive rules, tournament regulations, and more complex rules scenarios.

Level 3: Regional Judge

At Level 3 (L3), judges begin to take on leadership roles, often leading teams of other judges at small to mid-sized events, most notably as Head Judge of Planetary Qualifiers. They bring their experience from large, multi-day competitive events back to their local communities, helping to improve the overall judging quality. L3 judges need to have intermediate knowledge of rules, policy, and tournament operations philosophy. The training at this level includes lessons focusing on advanced tournament operations, interpersonal skills, and leadership.

Level 4: Large Event Expert

Level 4 (L4) judges regularly travel to large events and take on significant leadership roles. This is the stepping stone between Head Judge of Planetary Qualifiers (L3) and Sector Qualifiers (L5) - the jump from just over a hundred players to just over a thousand is significant in terms of intricacy in all aspects. They are expected to handle complex and rare rules and policy scenarios, and understand the philosophy behind policy to maintain a fair tournament environment. L4 judges also need advanced knowledge of rules, along with strong conflict management and diplomacy skills. Training includes lessons on advanced investigation techniques, event operations triage, handling appeals, and managing players in conflict.

Level 5: Global Leaders

Level 5 (L5) judges are the pinnacle of the program, head judging large, multi-day events like Sector and Regional Qualifiers and the Galactic Championship. They are experts in rules, policy, and tournament operations, and they innovate new best practices. They also provide feedback directly to FFG on existing rules and policies. They mentor judges of all levels, fostering a knowledgeable and professional judging community globally. Their role is crucial in shaping and maintaining high standards across the Judge Program. At this level, no specific lessons are prescribed, instead, training focuses on practical experience and personalized feedback.

The Judge Program will have a structured path for judges to progress from basic demo running to global leadership. Each level requires a deepening understanding of the game's rules, policies, and tournament operations, ensuring that judges are well-equipped to manage and lead events of increasing complexity and importance. Through comprehensive training and practical experience, the program aims to cultivate a community of knowledgeable and skilled judges dedicated to maintaining a fair and enjoyable gaming environment.

Details regarding advancement for initial levels can be found on the advancement page.