Pub & Scrim
There are two types of games that anyone who joins the zone can play:
- Public games
- Scrim games
Each of these can be started by the players themselves and doesn't require any type of admin or ref to create them.
What is Pub?
Pub (short for Public Game) is the default mode you'll encounter when you join the zone. It's an open, casual environment where anyone can join and play.
In order to join one, you simply have to use the Selection Menu to pick a ship. The game will automatically throw you into a pub match if it isn't full. Public matches are 6v6, so if there are no more spots available, you will have to wait.
- 🟢 No strict teams – players are automatically put in a team when they enter and choose their ship.
- 🟢 Great for warmups – many players use Pub to get loose before a match.
Pub is perfect for:
- Practicing ship movement and shooting
- Learning game mechanics and controls
- Meeting the Hockey Zone community
Pub Queue
If the public match is full, you can type ?next pub in the chat for the bot to place you in a queue for the next available pub spot.
What is Scrim?
Scrim (short for Scrimmage) is a more structured, competitive match used for practice between coordinated teams. It mimics the format of official league games.
- 🔵 Captain-managed – Scrims are started when players take roles as Captains using
?next scrim - 🔵 Selective teams – Captains pick their players and add them using
?add playername - 🔵 More serious gameplay – Players often treat Scrims like a rehearsal for real matches.
Scrims are useful for:
- Practicing with a fixed lineup or strategy
- Testing team chemistry
- Improving coordination, passing, and defensive play
- If you want to play with a selected group of players rather than randoms
Key Differences
| Feature | Pub | Scrim |
|---|---|---|
| Game Style | Casual / Open | Competitive |
| Entry | Join anytime | Requires you to be added by a captain |
| Team Selection | Auto-assigned | Hand-picked |
| Skill Level | Mixed | Generally higher |
How to Join a Scrim
- Ask in chat – If a scrim is happening, you can ask to be added by the captain in the in-game chat.
- Watch for pms – Captains may message you if they need players.
- Be active in Pub – Performing well in Pub can lead to scrim invites.
- Use
?next scrim– This will put you next in line to be captain of the next scrim.
Voting
In both Pub and Scrim games, players will need to vote whenever a goal is scored.
Type ?g cl to vote a goal as clean. You can also vote a goal as lag by typing ?g lag.
If no one votes, the goal will simply go unvoted and not count in the scoreboard. So make sure you are voting!