Gameplay

The goal is simple: own more of the arena floor than anyone else when the timer runs out.

A match in progress, with claimed floor blocks showing each player's color

Claiming the floor

Each player gets a tool when the match starts. Tap a floor block with it and the block becomes your color. The more floor you cover, the bigger your share.

Your claimed blocks count toward your share of the arena.
The block color matches the color assigned to you for that match.
Claims only count inside the arena bounds. Tapping outside does nothing.

By default you can only claim neutral (unclaimed) floor. Stealing blocks already owned by another player is turned off out of the box. A server owner can enable stealing in the config. See Configuration.

Tools

The tool you hold depends on your rank. Higher ranks get a better-tier hoe. The tool type itself (hoe or shovel) is set server-wide in the config.

See the Ranks and ELO page for which rank gives which tool tier.

Cooldowns

To keep things fair and protect server performance, claims are rate-limited:

A short claim cooldown stops one player from painting faster than intended.
When stealing is enabled, it has its own separate cooldown.

Both cooldowns are configurable. See Configuration.

A match, start to finish

Queue

Join a mode with /hoe join <mode> or through the main menu. You wait with other players.

Countdown

Once the minimum number of players is queued, an arena is cloned and a short countdown begins.

Claim

The match starts. Spread out and paint as much floor as you can before the timer ends.

Scoring

When time runs out the plugin scans the whole floor, counts each player's blocks, and works out everyone's share as a percentage.

Results

The winner is announced, the podium is shown, ranks and stats update, and everyone returns to the lobby.

Scoring details

Your score is the percentage of the floor your color covers.
The highest percentage wins the match.
If no single player leads, the match ends in a draw.
Your placement and percentage feed into your stats and, in Ranked, your ELO.

Spectating

You can watch a live match without joining it. Run /hoe spectate <player> to teleport to that player in spectator mode. See Commands for details.

Leaving

Run /hoe leave to drop out. If you are in the queue it removes you from the queue. If you are in a match it removes you from the match and returns you to the lobby with your normal inventory restored.

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