FAQ
Questions
How does the duel mechanic work?
Two players see the same question at the same time and both race the clock to answer it. If you both answer correctly, whoever locked in first deals damage equal to the gap between your times; if only one of you is right, the wrong side takes a flat 30 damage; if you're both wrong, nobody takes damage that round. Each player starts with 50 health, and the first to hit zero loses the match.
What are the two game types, and how long is the clock?
Technical Interview asks accounting, valuation, EV bridge, cost of capital, LBO/leverage, and cap table & VC questions with one objective numeric answer, 30 seconds a question. Excel Shortcut asks for a keyboard chord, a keytip sequence, or a typed formula in a simulated sheet, 15 seconds a question since a shortcut is either known or it isn't.
What are the different modes?
Campaign is a solo ladder against a cast of bot opponents, five floors of the firm, unrated (your title changes, your rating never does). Rush gives you a 3-minute clock and lets you answer as many questions as you can, with a wrong answer costing time rather than ending the run. Daily Challenge is one fixed question set per day, identical for every player, one attempt per game type. 1v1 Live matches you against a real opponent in real time, with your rating on the line. Challenge a Friend lets you play a set and send a link so a friend plays the identical one and your scores get compared, no account needed for either of you.
Do I need an account to play?
No. Every mode works as a guest, with your progress kept in your browser. Signing in (email or Google, via Supabase) lets your rating, handle, and match history follow you across devices and appear on the leaderboard; without an account, ranked 1v1 matches are still playable but unrated.
How do ratings and leaderboards work?
Your rating is a numeric ELO score that only moves for rated 1v1 Live matches played while signed in, never for campaign, Rush, Daily Challenge, or Challenge-a-Friend play. The leaderboard shows Rating, Daily, and Rush standings separately, each ranked by that mode's own scoring, and only signed-in players with a public handle appear on it.
Is this financial or career advice?
No. Every question, explanation, and scenario here is interview preparation and educational practice only, not financial, investment, accounting, tax, legal, or career advice, and it isn't a substitute for a class, a textbook, or a real mentor. Any firms or characters that appear are fictional and don't describe or endorse any real company or investment.