Challenge types

Choose the challenge type that matches how participants prove they solved the task.

Type	Use it when	Important notes
Flag	Participants should find and submit a secret string, such as ctf{...}.	The answer must match exactly, including prefix, braces, case, and format.
Multiple choice	Participants should choose one answer from fixed options.	Wrong answers can incur a penalty if configured. Keep distractors clear and avoid ambiguous wording.
Conquest	You want "king of the hill" play where teams capture or defend a target over time.	The system checks a URL or target you configure; scoring depends on who controls the target during intervals.
Text	Participants need to submit a longer written response.	Text submissions can be routed for organiser review instead of exact-match scoring. Use a review email when review notifications are needed.
File upload	Participants need to submit evidence, a report, script, screenshot, or other file.	Uploaded submissions can be held for review and show as already submitted while under review.

Add-on behaviours

• Launchable challenge - A challenge can run a container for each team or for the whole world. Launchable behaviour is configured separately from the answer type and consumes launch runtime minutes while running.
• Timebomb - A challenge can appear for a scheduled time window, then close or disappear after its duration.
• Hidden challenge - A challenge can be hidden from players until you are ready to release it.
• Prerequisites - A challenge can require one or more earlier challenges before it unlocks.
• Mutually exclusive choice groups - In the Progression editor, you can put challenges in groups where a team may complete only one per group, such as one of three tracks. Choice groups are a progression rule, not a separate answer type.

Picking the right type

• Use Flag for classic CTF tasks with a precise answer.
• Use Multiple choice for quizzes, knowledge checks, or low-friction learning tasks.
• Use Conquest for live targets where control matters over time.
• Use Text when a human needs to review reasoning, explanation, or free-form output.
• Use File upload when the answer is an artifact rather than text.
• Add Launchable when the challenge needs per-team or shared infrastructure.
• Add Timebomb when timing is part of the challenge design.

You choose the Type when creating or editing a challenge in the challenge form. Review points, penalties, hints, category, prerequisites, hidden state, and optional launch/timebomb settings before making the challenge visible. See Making/editing a challenge for all form fields and options.