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::|CONTENTS

1. Battle Stages
2. How to Enter
3. How to Host
4. XHB Variants
5. Stats
6. See Also

XHB, shorthand for X Hour Battle, is one of the main battle types available on BotB, also referenced as Minor Battles. There are three different types of XHBs: OHB (One Hour Battle), 2HB (Two Hour Battle) and 4HB (Four Hour Battle). Before 2HBs and 4HBs got added in 2020, the only minor battle type was OHB, which was formerly known as OHC, meaning "One Hour Compo". As the name implies, participants of these competitions are required to create an entry in one, two or four hours. Unlike major battles, XHBs occur on a sporadic basis and can be hosted by any user granted that they meet the requirements (detailed below in the "How to Host" section). Every XHB has a bitpack—this can be either a set of samples that must be used in entries or a simple text document detailing the rules and limitations that must be adhered to. In total, an XHB typically lasts for more than the hours they advertise, since entries must be voted on after the entry period concludes.

Battle Stages

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Countdown Period
Once this phase begins, the battle and its format are announced on the main page of the website, the @botb_battles

Twitter page, and in the BotB IRC channel

. By default, it lasts for five minutes, but can be made shorter (2 mins min) or longer (24 hours max) by the host. The purpose of this countdown is to inform all BotBrs of the impending battle so that they have time to both finish whatever they may be currently doing and to prepare themselves to participate. Once the timer reaches zero, the entry period begins and the bitpack is made available.

Entry Period
The entry period starts right after the countdown period ends. The bitpack is made available, informing BotBrs of the rules and/or required samples for the battle. It is during this time that participants create and submit their entries. Creating entries before the battle is deeply frowned upon and will most likely result in downvoting by other users during the voting period. The entry period lasts exactly one, two our four hours (depending on the battle type), but entrants can still submit after it ends. By submitting late, entrants will incur a point penalty on their final voting score depending on how many seconds late they are. Participants can also resubmit an entry, but they will lose five class points (the point category depends on the format of the battle).

Voting Period
In this stage, all entries are made available for download in the votepack. Voters download this zip archive and inspect each entry within; entries can then be scored on a simplified voting scale of one to seven (seven being good and one being bad). Some battle hosts also host a synclisten during this period—this is when all entries are played on a streaming site such as YouTube or Twitch where voters can discuss their thoughts on each track in the chat. Like major battles, any registered user of the site is allowed to vote. The score that voters give to entries may be based upon quality, opinion, how well the entry used the provided samples, or how well it followed the given rules. Unlike major battles, every entry is anonymous until the battle's conclusion, so you cannot see who created which entry when voting. The voting period can vary in length, as the battle host chooses when to end it; usually it concludes once everyone has voted. The maximum voting time, if it's not ended manually, is 24 hours.

Results
Once the XHB host ends the voting period, all votes are weighted according to voter strength and averaged together. Results are typically announced by the battle host in the IRC/Discord channel before being made available on the website. The top three entrants are given gold, silver or bronze XHB trophies that appear on their profile. BotBrs can also see who made which entry, examine the scores given by each voter, view the IRC log during the XHB, and upload MP3 renders of entries.

How to Enter

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Participating in an XHB is fairly simple, and not unlike entering any major battle. Each XHB has a single format; make sure to submit your entry the correct format or you will be downvoted during the voting period. Once the battle commences, take a look at the bitpack—this can be a set of samples or instruments that you are required to use, or simply a text file containing rules or restrictions that you must keep in mind when creating your submission. Once you've taken a look at it, you can begin your creative process. After you've finished or run out of time, you can submit your entry on the XHB's page. If you go over the allotted one hour, you can still submit late, but there will be a penalty on your final score (-1.000 point loss per minute). When you submit, make sure that it is anonymous—don't accidentally put your username in the filename! Also make sure that your entry is an original work; covers or previously-created entries are not permitted unless specified by the rules within the bitpack. If you realize that your uploaded entry has a mistake in it, you can resubmit it, but be aware that you will lose five class points as well as points on your voting score if the entry period is over.

How to Host

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The requirements to host XHBs depend on your level, amount of badges and amount of hosted battles. For detailed information about every battle, please visit the pages for OHB, 2HB and 4HB!

There are a few more things you should keep in mind when you create a pack:

• Do not put offensive content in the bitpack or XHB title.
• Do not put web links in the XHB title.
• Make sure that you will have enough participants in the battle. If you have less than the required participants, then you will lose the boon deposit and will not receive hostist points. To prevent this, communicate with others in the IRC/Discord channel to ensure that there is enough interest. Check the subpages for more information about the different XHB types.
• Try to be creative with your bitpacks—make your XHBs interesting! XHBs are meant to be challenging and allow for creativity, so don't do the same thing over and over.
• Cover XHBs are NOT allowed!!
• During the voting period, make sure that everyone has time to vote by communicating with voters in the Discord/IRC channel. Let everyone who wants to vote do so, then close the battle and reveal the results when everyone is ready. If you are unable to close the battle due to lack of time or other issues, inform an admin so that they can close it for you.

Standard Operating Procedures
1. With the preceding requirements met BEGAST an XHB
The button/link to Begast an XHB will appear on BotB's home screen below your avatar when you meet all the requirements. Remember to also join the chat while hosting! If you start an XHB without being in the IRC channel you will most likely be given the Parasite ailment.
2. When the entry period is over fairly decide when voting will end by communicating with participants in the IRC channel.
3. When everyone is done voting tell BotB to tally the resluts.
4. Share the resluts on IRC in order of worst to best with time for people to comment in between.
5. Click the link at the top of the tally sheet to finalize the OHB.

If you don't meet the requirements yet still want to have an XHB, don't fret! If you ask for an XHB in the IRC/Discord channel, then someone who is eligible may host one for you.

XHB Variants

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Types of XHB
OHBs = One Hour Battle
2HBs = Two Hour Battle
4HBs = Four Hour Battle

Themes
An XHB's title typically has little to do with what is expected of the XHB entries. However, if the XHB host declares a theme then all entries should be voted on based around that theme. Themes can be based on any sort of thing like genres, an emotion, video games, holiday humbuggery, etc.

Sample Pack
Sample packs are source files used in the AUDIO/CHIP XHB typically packaged using .ZIP or RAR formats. Sample packs are accessible once the XHB starts. Unless otherwise noted by the host, the only samples that can be used within the XHB are the ones provided. Outside samples are not allowed.

Stats

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Everyone loves statistics, right? Here are some interesting (or not so interesting) facts and stats about XHBs!

XHBs per Month and Year

The first OHB was hosted on Nov 19 2006 at 11:30am by puke7. Since then there were a lot of other OHBs and starting in 2020, 2HBs and 4HBs joined the arena as well.
The marked numbers indicating the month with the highest amount of XHBs in that year.

See Also

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Battle
OHB
2HB
4HB
format
BotBr
Voter Strength
Hostist (class)