Quick match
Choose one to five topics and a duration: 15 minutes, 30 minutes, one hour, 12 hours, or 24 hours. We match the closest available ELO that shares at least one topic.
A fair room makes
better arguments.
Controvio is text-first. Timers, turns, votes, and ELO outcomes are enforced by the room, not by either debater.
01MATCH FORMATS
Three ways into the room.
Topic clash
Each debater submits exactly five claims. Debaters alternate, removing only the other person's topics. When one remains, the debate clock starts.
Arena
Choose a six- or ten-player lobby. Each person can select topics, write their own, or mix both. A claim is drawn from the lobby's combined pool for each matchup.
02ARENA CLOCK
Eight minutes. Then the room decides.
02:00A speaks02:00B speaks02:00A rebuts02:00B rebuts01:00Vote
The four or eight spectators vote for the stronger case. The loser leaves the lobby and the winner stays to meet the next challenger.
Sudden death after a tie
01:30B speaks01:30A speaks01:00B closes01:00A closes01:00Final vote
If the second vote also ties, both debaters leave the lobby. Neither wins nor loses ELO.
03RATING
Your reputation is earned.
Controvio uses an expected-score ELO model with a K-factor of 32. Beating someone rated above you earns more points; losing to someone rated below you costs more. Draws never move ELO.
1,200→Win against 1,400→+24
04CONDUCT
Attack the claim. Protect the person.
Direct rebuttal, sharp disagreement, and uncomfortable questions belong here. Threats, identity-based abuse, doxxing, spam, coordinated voting, and pretending to be another person do not.
- Use evidence honestly and correct material mistakes.
- Do not share private information, including your own.
- Report behavior that asks moderators to review the room.
- Repeated abuse can remove queue access and ratings.