Hey Minecraft!

On the MineRealm survival server, members of my city helped me in constructing a large stadium where we host a game I just recently created with the help of many notables. The name of the game: Lava Bucket Gladiators. On our server, PvP is disabled. However, this does not extend to the use of lava buckets to dump on other players, especially in the event of a griefer.

The Object: Successfully kill or otherwise remove your opponent from the game via the practice of dumping lava on their face. You do not begin with lava in your buckets, however. You must go around the field collecting lava in order to create an attack.

The Game Modes: Currently, we have created casual (anything goes) and competitive (ranked, in which we are currently in season one and progressing quickly). The rules for competitive play are as follows:

• You must be hosting the event on a regulation battlefield (see below)
• Each player is limited to three lava buckets, beginning as empty
• You may not dig or otherwise alter the battlefield other than through the use of lava
• You may not be in possession of any items other than the allotted three buckets
• Each player must start in balanced positions (a.k.a. mirrored positions, whether it be mirrored positions in the middle or at either end of the field.)

How to Win: The following are all of the ways in which you win at this game:

• You lava your opponent's face until he meets his death. If both players meet death, the last one standing wins.
• Your opponent leaves the battlefield (in our server, /home will warp you to a manually set location, and so this and other warps count as leaving).
• Your opponent digs into or otherwise alters the battlefield other than through use of lava
• Your opponent possesses food, water buckets, etc.

Starting a Competitive Match: In Kurachi (the home city of LBG), we start our competitive matches via a lava flow falling down onto a block, which signals the start of the game. Originally, we began with a simple "3,2,1, Go!" count. Any starting method is allowed so long as it provides fair opportunity to both opponents to start.

Regulation Fields: Fields are typically encouraged to be 20x40 (or larger with the same ratio) with curved ends at the narrow sides. In order to be a regulation field, lava pits must be evenly mirrored on either side of the field. It is generally encouraged that fewer lava pits are in the middle, as this discourages any real action. Minimal water pits are definitely a must, otherwise being touched by lava once would mean the end to a short match.

Also, I'm aware that I can't force you to make a "regulation field". But if you want to do it how the good folks at MineRealm do it, this is how.

Common Playing Strategies: In competitive play, you will notice each player starting to develop a trend, which makes for very interesting matchups. For example, one of our season 1 leaders is heavily defensive and enjoys an early lava-wall in middle to prevent any early deaths. On the other hand, one of our admins enjoys a quick dash past his opponent, taking his lava instead and disorienting him.

• Walling: As I've said, it leads to a totally different game. Although in some instances having an impassible barrier can grow boring, our competitors know how to keep it fun, constantly setting up the next attack as the lava wall ceases. Walling methods often lead to length, but suspenseful and strategic games.
• Sprinting: Pretty much what one of our admins does: run past the opponent and take some of his lava. It doesn't mean anything, as either side's lava is just as good and it's no disadvantage to lose yours. It certainly adds an interesting disorientation factor and shifts the battlefield in an unexpected way.
• Cat and Mouse: Not so much a strategy, just what may tend to happen. One competitor constantly keeps the offensive, forcing the other to go defensive. The roles may switch multiple times, and this may very quickly transition into a Wall game.
• Traditional: The most common method is for both players to do what is expected: run to their respective sides, gather lava, and strike again in the middle. This often leads to a quicker game, but unsuccessful strikes in the middle quickly shift the game into a Wall game, Cat and Mouse game, etc.
• No Bucket: It has only been done once successfully on our server. Bravely strutting the battlefield without buckets, this man disoriented and bunny-hopped like no-man's business, eventually leading to his competitor's unfortunate mistake of lava-ing too close to himself.

Files: 

Lava Bucket Gladiators.jpg