Frequently Asked Questions
Clear, accurate answers about Avalanche Trivia’s real-time gameplay, shields, danger zones, and hosting tools.
Deep Dive Guides
Mastering Game Controls
Learn how to answer, handle prompts, and navigate on desktop or mobile
Multiplayer Session Mastery
Host lobby management, share codes, and coordinate teammates
Performance Optimization
Keep Firestore updates and audio running smoothly on any device
Advanced Gameplay Strategies
Make the most of shields, checkpoints, and weather swings
Questions by Category
Joining & Lobby Basics
Q:How do I join a live Avalanche Trivia match?
Ask the host for the six-character room code and enter it at avalanche.baffl.fun/join. The join form accepts players while the game status is waiting, lobby, active, or paused. Pick a display name and the app stores your game, player, and code identifiers locally so you do not have to type them again during the session.
Q:Can I jump back in if my connection drops?
Yes. Your browser keeps `gameId`, `gameCode`, `playerId`, and `playerName` in localStorage. Re-open the site, visit the join page, or browse to `/play/wait/<CODE>?gameId=<id>&playerId=<id>` to reattach to the same player record. If you changed devices, ask the host to remove the stale player row in the lobby before you reconnect.
Q:What should I expect in the waiting room?
The waiting room shows a looping intro video, live player count, join timestamps, and a ready tally. Only the host can start the match from the host dashboard, so stay on that screen until you are redirected to the gameplay view.
Q:Do I need a registered account to play?
Players can join as guests with just a name and room code. Only hosts need to sign in to manage question sets, create games, or control the mountain board.
Gameplay Mechanics & Scoring
Q:What question types will I see during a match?
The live player client renders multiple-choice and true/false prompts pulled from the active question set. Hosts can optionally attach a time limit to each question; the player view shows a shrinking time bar when a limit is active. Answers are submitted through the on-screen buttons, and the Submit button stays disabled until you choose an option.
Q:How do danger zones trigger avalanches?
Danger zones map to specific mountain positions (default centres: 10, 19, 24, 27, 32, 39, 44, 52, 58, 65, 68, 72, 84, 87, 93). Once the host starts the game, those zones activate automatically unless the host has customised them. A wrong answer while standing on an active zone queues an avalanche animation for the host board and marks the player for a checkpoint reset unless a shield blocks it.
Q:What do checkpoints do?
Checkpoints lock in progress so avalanches cannot send you back to the starting tile. By default they sit every 25 steps (25, 50, 75), but hosts can replace them with up to eight custom positions from the options modal. When an avalanche resolves, the player drops to the last checkpoint value and keeps their recorded accuracy statistics.
Q:How do I unlock and use the Avalanche Shield?
The player client tracks a shield streak. Three consecutive correct answers within the host’s configured window (the first half of the question list by default) unlock the shield. You will see a modal explaining the power-up. If an avalanche triggers while the shield is available, a prompt lets you deploy it or save it for later. Use the on-screen buttons or press `Escape` to close the prompt without spending the shield.
Q:What is the Map & Compass event?
Every player receives a personalised Map & Compass spawn between tiles 1-15. Landing on that tile opens a challenge modal; answer correctly to add the tool to your inventory. Already carrying one? You still gain a +1 confidence bump for clearing the prompt again. Hosts can see the pickup in the events log so they know who is equipped for later forks.
Q:What happens at the Fork in the Road?
Fork tiles appear in the mid-game. If you have the Map & Compass you can reveal the safe path and move ahead 4-8 spaces with zero risk. Picking left or right without tools is a 50/50 gamble—miss it and you enter a side quest with timed mini-quizzes, hermit assistance, or a 3×3 sliding puzzle (Map owners only). Outcomes range from +10 to -15 spaces depending on how you perform.
Q:How do tunnel shortcuts work now?
Tunnel offers can appear up to three times once you reach the 50s. Players who are behind see higher odds (as high as 50%) and a correct answer launches them 8-24 spaces forward based on their deficit. Decline or miss the tunnel and you simply continue with the next question—no progress is lost.
Host Tools & Question Sets
Q:How do hosts build game content?
Open the host dashboard, go to Question Sets, and use the create form to seed a new collection. Sets live in Firestore and can be edited, duplicated, or deleted. When you start a game you can load one of your sets so the player client pulls those questions in order.
Q:Can I duplicate or reuse a set I liked?
Yes. The Question Sets grid includes a Duplicate action that copies the document and all nested questions. The new set appears in your list immediately so you can tweak it without touching the original.
Q:What is the easiest way to share the lobby?
From the host Game Lobby component copy the six-character code, copy an auto-generated join URL (format `https://…/join?code=ABC123`), or use the Web Share API button. The same panel lets you remove duplicate players or toggle ready states if you need to tidy the lobby before starting.
Q:What does Auto Weather control on the host dashboard?
Weather affects how wide each danger zone is. Sunny keeps the default single tile, Snow extends the zone one tile downhill, and Blizzard extends both up and downhill. With Auto Weather enabled the dashboard cycles through those states on a timer, but you can switch it off and choose a specific forecast when you want predictable behaviour.
Troubleshooting & Data
Q:Where is my progress stored?
Player stats (questions answered, accuracy, current position) save in the `games/{gameId}/players` collection in Firestore. Your browser keeps a lightweight cache of identifiers in localStorage so you can reconnect quickly. Clearing site data removes that cache but does not delete the Firestore record.
Q:The leaderboard or mountain path is not updating. What should I check?
Confirm your connection is still live by opening another site, then refresh the player tab. Avalanche Trivia streams updates through Firestore listeners and WebSockets; if your browser blocks them, reload the page or switch networks. Hosts should verify the game is not paused and that auto weather or avalanche effects have finished playing.
Q:Why is the Submit Answer button disabled?
The client only enables Submit after you select an answer option. Tap or click one of the choices so it highlights, then the Submit button turns green. If the timer expired the app auto-submits whatever was selected at zero seconds.
Q:How do I switch devices mid-session?
Join the new device using the same room code and name. The server treats each browser tab as a separate player, so close the old tab or ask the host to remove the duplicate entry once you confirm the new connection is updating on the mountain board.
Still need help?
Search the support hub for specific keywords or send us feedback so the team can add clarifications to this guide.