How Tierlists Work and How to Run a Fair One
In a competitive league the tierlist is often the most viewed page after the table. Players check where they stand, managers scout, and newcomers judge whether the league is serious. It is also the page most likely to start an argument.
A tierlist players trust makes a league feel fair. This guide explains how tierlists work on TackyLeague and how to run one that holds up.
In short
- Every player has an overall rating from 1 to 99. The tier follows the rating automatically.
- Players join by applying, claiming an existing card, or being added by staff.
- Only people with the Tierlist permission can rate. Keep that group small and named.
- Write your criteria down, rate on evidence, and explain big moves.
What a player card shows
A tierlist is a ranked list of every player in a league. Each card shows how good that player is right now, grouped into tiers so people see the shape of the league at a glance.
- Overall rating: OVR from 1 to 99. Everything else follows this number.
- Six attributes: Pace, shooting, passing, dribbling, defending and physical.
- Position and team: From goalkeeper to striker, plus team, nationality and a photo.
- Match stats: Goals, assists, appearances and player of the match awards.
How tiers are worked out
The five tiers and the rating band each one covers. These bands are the same in every league.
Because the tier comes straight from the rating, nobody sets tiers by hand. Change a rating and the tier updates. Nobody can be "Gold on a Silver rating", which removes a whole category of disputes.
How players join a tierlist
- They apply: A signed-in player with a verified email asks to join a public league and picks a position. Staff approve by giving a starting rating, one at a time or in bulk.
- They claim a card: If staff already made a card, the player presses This is me. A staff member always confirms before the card is linked.
- Staff add them: One at a time, or paste a list of names with optional positions and ratings.
If someone applies with a name that matches an existing card, they are pointed to the claim option instead. That keeps duplicate cards off the list.
Tools that keep ratings honest
Only people with the Tierlist permission can create, edit or delete ratings. Owners have it by default and can grant it from the league members page. Three to five raters is plenty for most leagues.
- Rating history: Every change is recorded with old value, new value and date, and shown as a chart on the card.
- Provisional tag: In leagues that record their matches, shown when a rated player has fewer than three league matches. The rating stays the same; the tag is honest about the evidence.
- Rating suggestions: After three matches the system can suggest a small change from match output. Nothing moves until a rater accepts.
- Inactivity check: If records prove a player has not played for 120 days, a small drop is suggested. With incomplete records it stays silent.
How to run a fair tierlist
The tools help, but fairness comes from how raters use them. These habits matter most.
The fair tierlist checklist
- Criteria for each tier written down and published in your rulebook
- Ratings based on recent matches, not reputation
- Raters never change their own rating or their teammates'
- Updates on a schedule, for example every third matchday
- A sentence of explanation for any move of five points or more
- One private route for disputes, and every request answered
"Elite players decide matches on their own, week after week. Gold players are reliable starters who shine against most opponents." Two lines like these turn a rating into a judgement against a standard, not an opinion.
More detail: updating and disputes
Constant small changes feel random, and no changes for months feel neglected. Pick a rhythm and announce updates in your news so players know when to look.
Keep disputes out of public chat. A ticket channel works well. Whatever route you pick, answer every request, even when the answer is "we kept it".
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Do this instead |
|---|---|
| Rating newcomers too high | Start conservatively and let the Provisional tag do its job. |
| Ten people can edit ratings | Keep a small, named group who can explain every call. |
| Secret criteria | Publish them. Players assume the worst about what they cannot see. |
| Mass changes overnight | Announce first, then update. |
| Judging everyone on goals | Judge each position on what it asks of a player. |
Wrapping up
A tierlist is a promise that everyone is judged by the same standard. Write the standard down, keep the rating group small, rate on evidence and explain the big calls.
Frequently asked questions
Can owners change the tier names or bands?
No. The five tiers and their bands are the same in every league, so a Gold player means roughly the same thing wherever you see one.
Do ratings change automatically after matches?
No. The system can suggest changes, but a rater always decides.
Can I hide the tierlist from the public?
Yes. Owners can turn the tierlist tab on or off and can make it visible to league members only.
What can visitors do on a public tierlist?
Search by name, filter by tier, position and team, sort by rating, goals or assists, switch between list and card views, and compare players.