> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.battle.fyi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.battle.fyi/the-game/scoring.md).

# Scoring & Elimination

## How you're ranked

Every trader in a round is ranked by **return %** -- the percentage change in your portfolio value relative to your starting balance.

```
Return % = ((Current Portfolio Value - Starting Balance) / Starting Balance) * 100
```

Higher return % = higher rank. If two traders have the same return %, ties are broken alphabetically by display name.

## Elimination rules

After each round in Elimination format, the bottom performers are cut. The default is bottom 25%, but hosts can configure this.

Example with 8 players and 25% elimination:

* Round 1: 8 players, bottom 2 eliminated
* Round 2: 6 players, bottom 1-2 eliminated
* Round 3: 4 players, bottom 1 eliminated
* Final: 3 players compete for the win

## What counts toward your portfolio

Your portfolio value is:

```
Starting Balance + Realized P&L (closed trades) + Unrealized P&L (open trades)
```

Unrealized P\&L updates every tick as prices move. See [P\&L Calculation](/trading/pnl.md) for the exact formula.

## Trader Score impact

Every match updates your Trader Score regardless of whether you win. Consistent top-half finishes build your score faster than occasional first-place finishes followed by early eliminations.

See [Trader Score](/trader-score/overview.md) for how battle results feed into your composite rating.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.battle.fyi/the-game/scoring.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.