Maida Guillotine League Invitational 2025

Welcome to the official Maida Guillotine League Invitational page! Below is everything you need to know for this upcoming season:

Season Objectives

  • Enhance engagement by offering re-entry opportunities for eliminated teams. Guillotine leagues can feel unforgiving, and early exits, such as being eliminated in Week 3, diminish the fun and season-long involvement.
  • Strengthen collaboration among league members. Building on last season’s inaugural team challenge, this year’s format will allow certain managers the opportunity to manually select their teams, creating more strategy and interaction.
  • Strike a balance between traditional performance and extracurricular participation. Managers who prefer focusing solely on building a strong fantasy roster should not feel penalized for skipping missions and immunity challenges. While extracurricular activities will remain available for added rewards, maintaining a competitive “vanilla” fantasy football team will remain the primary objective.
  • Maintain excitement and consistent participation throughout the season by offering meaningful weekly activities. Guillotine leagues can lose momentum and become anticlimactic, especially for mid-tier managers. This league aims to ensure that there is always something for managers to do, regardless of the point in the season or their placement in the standings. Whether planning ahead, pursuing rewards, or competing for weekly achievements, every manager will have engaging opportunities to stay involved.

What’s New in 2025 and Why?

  • Due to the confusion, difficulty in communicating, and the amount of policing needed last season, the QB rule is changing. Each team can roster QBs from only one team. To simplify, if you want a new QB, you must drop your current one. You can add another QB only if your current one is on bye, but one must be dropped before the following waiver period. QB restrictions will be lifted later, with ample notice provided. The same rule applies to D/ST and K.
  • Eliminated players can return as a Vampire. This addresses the issue of guillotine leagues ending too soon for some, keeping players engaged and giving them another chance to win.
  • Vampire Bucks have been introduced to reward strong performance throughout the season. The better you play, the greater your chance of returning as a Vampire or defeating one for significant rewards.
  • Boss Battles and Vampire Battles have been introduced to enhance the head-to-head dynamics of fantasy football. These special contests provide significant rewards, similar to last season’s In-Season tournament. The Boss Battle replaces the high-score checkpoint immunity, which was often ineffective and unexciting. This new format offers greater rewards for the mid-season high-point scorer.
  • Missions and immunity challenges now focus on lineup and roster construction instead of random success factors like kick return yards. The goal is to reward lineup creativity and long-term planning while preventing accidental mission completion. Some favourite missions are returning, along with those unachieved last season. Based on earlier difficulty, some missions are now more challenging, while others are easier to achieve the right balance.

  • The immunity idol, awarded to the In-Season Tournament winner, can now be used before the first Sunday game of the week (excluding Thanksgiving in Week 13), rather than before the first game of the week as in last season. This change enhances the idol’s power, offering a more valuable prize to the tournament winner.

  • Additional immunities may be awarded if the weekly high score does so with a boosted score, ensuring the top fantasy team is still rewarded.

In-Season Tournament

We are proceeding with the In-Season Tournament, which is designed to enhance the significance of safe weeks and integrate the head-to-head element often missing in traditional guillotine leagues. Here’s everything you need to know about the tournament:

  • The tournament spans five weeks (Weeks 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7), with the winner earning an immunity idol.
  • The immunity idol is a reward that can be used at any time before the first Sunday NFL game of the week (excluding Thanksgiving). The idol must be played before the first Thursday game during Thanksgiving (week 13). Once played, it grants automatic immunity for that week, regardless of your score. The idol cannot be used after Week 14.
  • Week 1 scores will establish the tournament seeding. The highest score earns the #1 seed, and the lowest receives the #24 seed, with the same logic for all positions. If two teams have the same score, a random number generator will determine the tiebreaker.
  • The top 8 seeds advance directly to the Sweet 16 in Week 3, while seeds #9 through #24 will compete in Week 2. The tournament operates with a fixed bracket, so there is no re-seeding.
  • If a team advances but is chopped before the next tournament round, they will be replaced by the highest-seeded team eliminated from the tournament.
    • For example, if a team wins their Elite 8 matchup in Week 4 but is chopped before the Final 4 in Week 6, a previously eliminated tournament team will take their place.
  • Weeks 6 and 7 were selected for the Final Four and Championship because only two teams have byes during these weeks.

  • Both tournament finalists are immune during championship week.

  • Enhanced scoring from mission completion does not affect your head-to-head matchup. Tournament matchups are based solely on standard fantasy football performance.

Ways to Win Immunity

Between Weeks 1 and 14, at least one immunity will be awarded. No immunities are given after Week 14. If you are immune, you are automatically safe. Should you have the lowest score while holding immunity, the non-immune team with the lowest score will be eliminated instead. Below are the various ways a manager can earn immunity.

  • The weekly high scorer receives immunity for the following week, unless specified otherwise for a designated week.

  • Some teams may have enhanced scores from completed missions. If a team with a boosted score wins immunity, an additional immunity will be awarded to the highest-scoring team without boosts. However, if the boosted team would have won immunity without the enhancements, no additional immunity will be given.

  • There are four immunity challenges during the season (Weeks 4, 8, 11, and 14) that offer additional immunity alongside the weekly high scorers. These challenges occur before critical double and triple elimination weeks. Participation in the challenges is optional, but non-compliance will make you ineligible for the reward. Detailed explanations of each challenge will be provided before the first game of the week.
    • If you win an immunity challenge but still have the lowest fantasy point total for the week, you will still be eliminated, and no immunity will be granted.

  • Both tournament finalists will receive immunity during championship week. Additionally, the tournament winner will earn an immunity idol that grants immunity when activated.

  • Immunity can be relinquished at any time, but it will be permanently lost. It cannot be traded.

Missions

There are 11 unique missions, each offering rewards upon completion. These rewards can be redeemed for immediate or future advantages. Here’s what you need to know about these missions:

  • Managers are not required to announce their attempt to complete a mission unless specified. The commissioner will track, monitor, and confirm when a mission has been completed.

  • Missions can only be completed once. After completion, the reward is not available again.
  • Missions will have standardized tiebreaker rules: If two players complete a mission in the same week, the reward goes to the player with the highest score for that week. If there’s a tie for the highest score, the team with the most Vampire Bucks will win the mission. If still tied, the team with the best tournament seeding (lowest number, with #1 being the best) will be awarded the mission completion.

  • To successfully complete a mission focused on “survival,” participants must face the risk of elimination. As a result, teams granted immunity are ineligible to complete these missions unless they first give up their immunity.

  • Certain missions provide point boosts or deductions, which are tracked separately by the commissioner and do not affect your total fantasy points scored for the season.
  • Specific missions require trackers, which will be updated by the commissioner in the 2025 league schedule sheet.

    Most missions are straightforward, but here are additional details for those that require further explanation:
  • Bye or Die – Upon successful completion, you gain an extra life, allowing you to continue playing despite having the lowest score of the week. This “cheat death” reward expires after week 14, but if unused, it will convert to $75 FAAB.
    • To complete this mission, a player must announce their intent before 7 PM on Thursday of that week. Once declared, the decision is final.
    • Once a player announces their intent to undertake the mission, any player higher in the Vampire Bucks standings can opt to take on the challenge instead before kick-off.
    • If a player accepts the challenge but fails to meet the bye requirements, their QB and lowest projected player will be benched for the week, requiring them to continue without the potential reward.
    • If ‘Cheat Death’ gets activated, the following week will have an additional team eliminated.
  • Kicks and Picks – This mission’s reward ensures your kicker and D/ST each score a minimum of 15 points for the next two weeks.
    • If either position scores more than 15 points, you’ll receive the actual score instead.
    • To complete this mission, a player must announce their intent before 7 PM on Thursday of that week. Once declared, the decision is final.
    • Once a player announces their intent to undertake the mission, any player higher in the Vampire Bucks standings can opt to take on the challenge instead before kick-off.
  • I’m the Wiz – Before the first NFL game of the week, any manager can submit their Wiz predictions, which will be recorded in the “Wiz Tracker.”
    • You cannot choose yourself as one of the bottom three teams.
    • You cannot select the team that has declared its intent to complete “Kicks and Picks“.
      • The “Kicks and Picks” challenger will be excluded from the results.
    • You cannot select the team that has declared its intent to complete “Bye or Die.”
      • The “Bye or Die” challenger will be excluded from the results.
    • Managers can withdraw their picks at any time, but once the Thursday kickoff begins, the picks are locked.
    • If a manager has selected a team attempting “Kicks and Picks” or “Bye or Die,” they can choose to replace them or withdraw from the mission.
    • Boosted points are not considered for this mission. The objective is for a manager to accurately predict three of the four lowest-scoring teams based on standard fantasy points.
    • The mission cannot be completed before week 4.

  • Boss Man Jr. – During Week 9, each manager will have the option to challenge the boss:
    • If you defeat the boss, you will successfully complete this mission and become the Boss in Week 10.
    • Any manager who challenges the boss and fails to defeat them will begin the following week with a -10 point penalty.
    • If multiple teams challenge and defeat the boss, standard mission tiebreaker rules apply. Managers who defeat the boss but do not complete the mission due to tiebreakers will not incur a -10 penalty.

  • Van Helsing’s Pursuit – If a manager successfully rejoins the league as a Vampire, they may be hunted. Each week, one manager will have the opportunity to challenge the Vampire to a do-or-die battle.
    • To complete this mission, a player must announce their intent before 7 PM on Thursday of that week. Once declared, the decision is final.
    • Once a player announces their intent to undertake the mission, any player higher in the Vampire Bucks standings can opt to take on the challenge instead before kick-off.
    • Managers who challenge the Vampire begin the week with a penalty of -15 points. If they fail to defeat the vampire, they are eliminated from the competition. However, if they defeat the Vampire, they will inherit the Vampire’s entire team.
    • If the Vampire is defeated by the challenger, they are eliminated regardless of their position in the weekly standings.
    • Regular elimination rules apply even if the challenger or Vampire is eliminated without having the lowest score of the week.

Vampire Bucks

Throughout the season, there are 15 ways to earn Vampire Bucks, which can be found in the Google Sheet. These are designed to reward managers who perform well consistently, achieve milestones, and demonstrate fantasy football expertise. Vampire Bucks serve as an important currency, offering advantages, while also playing a critical role for the Vampire.

  • Some of the 15 earning methods are exclusive to eliminated players.

  • In addition to the 15 earning methods, vampire bucks can also be earned in specific immunity challenges and boss battles when specified.

  • Vampire bucks will determine how much FAAB a manager will have if they re-enter the league as a vampire.

  • For every $5 in Vampire Bucks earned, eligible participants will receive three points during the Vampire Battle.

  • Vampire Bucks will be capped at $175. Any amount earned beyond this will not contribute to Vampire FAAB or Vampire Battle points.

  • Vampire bucks cannot be traded.

Vampire Battle

Four fortunate managers will have the opportunity to re-enter the league as a Vampire by winning the Vampire Battle in Week 11. Here’s how it works:

  • The top four eliminated managers in the Vampire Bucks standings will participate.
    • The standings will be updated weekly by the commissioner.

  • Once waivers clear in Week 11, each participating manager will receive $100 in FAAB, which expires at the end of the week. They will use this FAAB to create a starting lineup from the remaining free agent pool.
    • If needed, measures will be implemented to ensure each participant can form a complete lineup of starting players. These measures will be announced a few weeks before the battle if they are deemed necessary, but may require some teams to drop players.
    • Waiver priority will be determined by the Vampire Bucks standings. Tie breakers will be determined by best tournament seed (lowest number, with #1 being the best).

  • Each participant will receive a three-point head start for every five Vampire Bucks accumulated up to that point.

  • If a participant scores higher than an existing manager, they will inherit that manager’s team.
    • If multiple participants outscore an existing manager, the highest scorer will become the Vampire. In the event of a tie, the manager with the most Vampire Bucks will be designated as the Vampire. If still tied, the manager with the best tournament seed (lowest number, with #1 being the best) will assume the role.
    • In the event that the Vampire is successful returning to the league, week 13 will become a double elimination week.

Boss Battles

This season will feature at least one Boss Battle, with the possibility of a second. Boss battles were added to give the fantasy point leader a chance at better rewards than a (usually) meaningless checkpoint immunity. Here’s everything you need to know about Boss Battles:

  • The manager with the highest fantasy point total at the start of Week 9 will become the Boss, starting the week with an additional 10 points.

  • Bosses earn $6 FAAB and 3 Vampire Bucks for each team they outscore, but must give $3 FAAB to any team that outscores them.
    • Managers who defeat the boss by more than 10 pts will receive $10 FAAB
    • Managers who defeat the boss by more than 20 points will receive $20 FAAB

  • Boosted scores do not count in Boss Battle matchups. The Boss and its opponents must win or lose based on standard fantasy points.

  • A manager can decline the role of Boss. If this occurs, the manager with the next highest fantasy point total will be offered the position, continuing in this manner until someone accepts.

  • In the case of a tie, it will be regarded as a defeat for the boss and a victory for the opponent.

  • If a manager completes the Boss Man Jr. mission, another boss battle will take place in Week 10. The same rules will apply.

General FAQ

  • You cannot stack boosts to complete “Bye or Die.” The mission must be completed using standard fantasy points with a handicap.
    • For example, you cannot use the 6x boost from Kicks and Picks to attempt “Bye or Die”.
    • Or you cannot use the 2.5X boost from “Tight End Trio” to complete “Bye or Die”.
    • Or you cannot utilize your Superflex advantage during “Bye or Die”.
    • *Other examples not listed do not mean they are acceptable to be used.

  • QB restrictions will be lifted in Week 8. Kicker and D/ST restrictions will be lifted in Week 6.

  • The prize pool is $1440 – The three finalists may divide the prize as they see fit. However, if no agreement is reached, the default payout will be as follows:
    • $1040 for 1st place
    • $300 for 2nd place
    • $100 for 3rd place

Anti-Collusion and Fair Play

As the league grows, additional measures are needed to ensure fair play and prevent loopholes.

  • Trading is locked as of Sunday at 1pm Eastern. All trades taken place after this time will be reversed.
  • Players acquired via trade cannot be used to trigger missions until they have been rostered for 21 days on your team. For example, a manager cannot trade for a tight end to use in the ‘Tight End Trio’ mission or cannot trade for a QB on bye to attempt the ‘Bye or Die’ mission. Once two managers make a trade, they cannot trade the same players back to each other.

  • Intentionally lowering your score to influence mission or challenge outcomes is prohibited. With no advantage to having a lower score, any clear lineup manipulation will be considered unfair play.

  • Collusion activities, like conspiring to hoard players to eliminate someone, may result in penalties by the commissioner and will be evaluated individually.
  • I, as the commissioner, reserve the right to adjust any rules or rewards to maintain league balance and address potential issues.
Location Toronto, ON E-mail thefantasyfootballhelper@gmail.com Hours Guaranteed response within 24 Hours
search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close