BW Mastermind Open - $2,000 Prize Pool (Sign-ups Open)

dice · Sep 19, 2026

Art by Blazenix

BW MASTERMIND OPEN
$2,000 GUARANTEED PRIZE POOL
BW OU • Modified Swiss • Weekly Rounds • BO5 Playoffs

Tournament Host: dice
Co-Hosts: goldmason and Posho

BW OU is far from a solved metagame. More than 15 years into its competitive history, players are still challenging old assumptions, refining established structures, and finding room for ideas that were once overlooked. The BW Mastermind Open will bring a large field together to see which developments hold up over the course of an extended tournament and who can push the tier forward.

Experience has taught me that old generations can always develop further when players approach them with intentionality and care. Registeel’s rise in ADV is a perfect example: after spending years on the fringes, it became a defensive lynchpin in one of Smogon’s most established tiers. That possibility for discovery is a major part of why I love BW, alongside its intellectual challenge, pacing, and sheer fun. I wanted to create an event that gives those qualities room to shine.

Whether you have played BW for years or are looking to make your mark for the first time, I hope you’ll join us.

The tournament will be hosted out of the Discord server, with matchups posted there each week. Players must remain in the server for the duration of the event.

SIGN UP HERE

Signups close: Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

JOIN THE DISCORD SERVER

TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW

Tier: BW OU
Player cap: 1,024
Opening stage: Modified Swiss, Bo3 sets
Playoffs: Single elimination, Bo5 sets
Prize pool: $2,000 guaranteed, with community contributions increasing the final total

HOW MODIFIED SWISS WORKS

The opening stage uses modified Swiss rather than forcing the field into a fixed-size elimination bracket. Each round, players will be paired against opponents with the same or a similar record, with repeat matchups avoided whenever possible.

Players qualify for the playoffs by reaching the announced win total and are eliminated from Swiss after reaching the announced loss limit. The qualifying record, loss limit, number of Swiss rounds, and playoff size will all scale with the final number of signups and be announced before Round 1. If necessary, play-ins and byes will be used to create the playoff bracket.

The hosts will seed a limited number of players based on BW OU results and relevant tournament history. Seeding applies only to Rounds 1 and 2, prevents the strongest entrants from meeting immediately, and does not award wins, byes, or automatic qualification. Seeds will be announced alongside Round 1.

PRIZE POOL

I am fronting a guaranteed $2,000 prize pool. Community contributions will increase the final total.

First place: 60% • Second place: 30% • Third place: 10%

Players who would like to contribute to the prize pool can do so in the server’s #mastermind-contributors channel.

BEFORE SIGNING UP

Read the complete player rules, with particular attention to the main-alt and replay requirements.

Keep your Smogon profile public and remain in the Discord server, where weekly matchups will be posted.

Schedule publicly. Complete all scheduling on the Smogon Forums in accordance with Smogon's scheduling guidelines.

Share every match and replay. A central goal of this tournament is to witness the BW metagame develop and see which ideas remain consistent across a large field.

Follow Smogon tournament rules. All players are subject to Smogon's Tournament Rules and General Guidelines. Tournament-related AI assistance is prohibited.

Users who are permanently banned from Smogon or currently serving a Smogon tournament ban are not eligible to participate.

I'm looking forward to seeing what everyone brings and where BW goes over the course of the tournament!