No Skill League (NSL) - Starcraft II

Introduction
The No Skill League (NSL) was first run as the "Twelve Mini-Tournament" on May 2011. During this period, Starcraft II was at the height of its popularity amongst the Twelve Community - and it was decided by popular sentiment to hold a small gathering of Twelve's most skilled and horribad players in one tournament. The first tournament was attended by 8 players, utilizing a 1v1 single-game elimination format.

The actual league name was originally coined by NSL staff member Spoon, during a commentary with fellow staff member Jiminy. Spoon jokingly parodied the Korean GSL (The biggest SC2 tournament in the world), citing the hilarious lack of skill demonstrated by the players they were observing in Round 1 of the first tournament.

To date, there have been four NSL seasons.

NSL Tournament Format & Staff

 * Tournament Adjudicator (TO): Darkshaunz
 * Commentators: Spoon (SII), Jiminy (SII) & Darkshaunz (SI - SIV)
 * Max Players: 8 pax
 * Format: 1 v 1 Single-Game Elimination
 * Brackets: Round 1, Semi-Finals & Grand Finals
 * Prize: Title of "NSL Season Champion", Champion's Signature & Bragging rights

NSL Standard Operating Procedure
Each new tournament is categorized into a new "Season", this carries on the same spirit of satire in mirroring the real Korean GSL's "Seasons". A new thread is made in the Starcraft 2 and players that wish to participate will register their interest, whilst also stating their availability. A compromise date is decided by the Adjudicator and players confirm whether or not they are able to attend the tournament on the date and time. Confirmed players are categorized as "Active Players" and 'Maybe' players are grouped in the Reserve Unit or Spectator Pool.

The tournament may not begin unless there are eight confirmed players. Registrations for active players are then closed once there are eight confirmed competitors. On the game day itself, competitors gather on the Twelve Ventrilo server at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the first round. The tournament takes place on US/American Starcraft II servers, to accommodate for US/CAN competitors. In the game room, a map coin toss is performed by the Adjudicator and the match gets underway.

During the game, spectators that have connection issues are almost always ordered to leave or be dropped. The exception to this would be if the Adjudicator is lagging everyone else. In which case, everyone (including spectators) are allowed to hurl profanities at him. Like in the Korean GSL, a player typing "gg" in all-chat during the NSL is considered to have forfeited a match.

Hall of NSL Champions
Despite the satirical name of the league, Twelve has seen remarkably skilled Starcraft II players that have participated in these tournaments. Of note, is the two-time champion Celenas - who was best known for benchpressing using Phoenixes in Season III and his overall tight Protoss gameplay. Bladearts, who was the runner up in Season I, recently rose to the rank of Champion. He demonstrated a ferocious mechy terran build all throughout the tournament.
 * NSL Season I Champion - Eutoph (Protoss)
 * NSL Season II Champion - Celenas / Kryta "The Benchpresser" (Protoss)
 * NSL Season III Champion - Celenas / Kryta "The Benchpresser" (Protoss)
 * NSL Season IV Champion - Bladearts  "The Mechanizer" (Terran)

Controversy
While the NSL has been wildly successful since its inception, it has also been plagued by controversy.

Most notably; each competition is referred to as a "Season" despite only lasting for one single day, which former staff member Spoon "The Pedant" Spoon has been put on record as saying "that makes no sense".

Angered by this public condemnation, adjudicator and founder of the tournament Dark "more tentacles please" Shaunz took actions to see Spoon immediately removed from all positions relating to the organisation and running of the competition.