What are the official rules for tournaments?

[Shtrudel]

Title. I don't know them all.

[Ramond]

There are no globally 'official' rules for LF2 tournaments. The host decides on a set of rules he sees fit (it's mostly the same batch of rules though). If you need some ideas about rules used, you can check out the most recent Tournament contest on LFE or look for tournaments on Polish sites.

[STM1993]

As Ramond said, there aren't any set of global rules that everyone agrees with and it even differs from tournament to tournament.

Regardless I'll link or mention some rules I do know about for each region:

LFE's most recent tournament
This one is quite unusual since we allowed any character isn't Julian/Firzen or directly picking LouisEX(but allowed to transform into EX).
Infinite combos aside, the only restrictions are drinking of milk/beer and using Henry's flute. The logic is that we wanted to either allow or disallow something rather than limit a move by an arbitrary number.

Polish rules - they get updated regularly.
English google translation of the rules as of this post below, my own comments in "//comment":

Code:

1. GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
1.1. Games are held in LF2 2.0 or 2.0a.
1.2. Games are held under VS Mode.
1.3. Games are held on the map HK Coliseum.
1.4. Takes place 5 fights.

2. RESTRICTIONS:
2.1. Allowed to play only the following forms:
- Davis, Deep, Dennis, Firen, Freeze, Henry, John, Louis, Rudolf, Woody. //all hero characters
2.2. Limitations attacks on the fight:
- Woody: 2 times Tiger Dash (D> J);
- Davis 2 times Dragon Punch (D ^ A);
- Dennis 3 times Chasing Blast (D ^ A), Whirlwind Kick (D> J) while holding the opponent is prohibited;
- John 3 Heal (DVJ or D ^ J);
- LouisEX 2 times in a row, Phoenix Palm (D> A);
- Rudolf: 1 time cloning (DVJ), 1 once disappearance (D ^ J), the transformation of an opponent is forbidden;
- Henry: 1 time full sonata (D ^ J) OR 2 times sonata maximum height.
2.3. DoP (dance of pain, that attack, which takes more than an opponent [250] points of life (half), while not allowing for interlocking or being virtually locked), is prohibited.
//example: Dennis AA DvA(miss last hit) Grab A*5 DvA is a 324 damage combo, which would not be allowed
2.4. Extending state of bewilderment ( "pitching up") with an opponent more than two punches (fists, balls, etc.) is prohibited.
2.5. Drinking milk and beer is prohibited.
2.6. Using codes is prohibited.
2.7. Notorious repeat behaviors such as:
- Running away from the enemy;
- Avoiding contact with an opponent (eg. The exclusive lifting and throwing things);
- Carrying out attacks that prevent the approach of the enemy (eg. Blocking shields);
- Overuse of one type of special attack in small intervals (eg. Spam beads);
Are all prohibited.
2.8. Using the keys F2 to F9 when the game is prohibited.
2.9. Using the F1 key (pause) during an attack is prohibited.
* Breaking the player any points 2.2-2.9 of the Rules means the point to his rival in the battle, in which the violation occurred, unless a rival decides otherwise.

From what little I do know about the Taiwanese tournament rules:
* Davis 2 times Dragon Punch (D^A)
* iirc Woody 2 times Tiger Dash (D>J)
* Dennis must use DvA immediately after grab if he doesn't intend to use normal grab attack. Dennis missing the last DvA kick and then DvA again however, is allowed.
* Henry 2 times Flute (D^J), maximum 2 notes.
* Rudolf is allowed to transform.

It seems people generally agree that Henry's flute is overpowered(because it is unavoidable 100 damage at certain angles, so its often restricted as a "reset button" at most), no drinking allowed, no infinite combos, LouisEX transform is allowed(because becoming EX is a very risky move), Davis D^A & Woody D>J being comparably powerful and all fights in HKC.