Membership Tiers

Three tiers. Three prize levels. One game. Choose the stakes that match your ambition.

Tier Comparison

At a Glance

Prize Distribution by Tier

Elite Six Weekly Payouts:

Everyone who makes the Elite Six gets paid.

Bronze Tier ($50/year)

Who It's For

Bronze is the entry point for competitive DCS:

• New players testing the waters
• Casual competitors who play when they can
• Community-focused players more interested in the game than the money
• Budget-conscious members who want to compete without major investment

The Economics

Annual investment: $50 (~$1/week)

Break-even scenarios:

• One 6th-place finish covers 40% of annual cost
• One 4th-place finish covers 100% of annual cost
• One 1st-place finish = 4× annual investment

Expected value considerations:

If you make Elite Six half the weeks you play and finish 6th each time:

• 26 weeks × $20 = $520 in winnings
• Net positive: +$470 on $50 investment

Best For

• Testing DCS commitment before upgrading
• Players who compete 1-2 times per month
• Social players who enjoy competition casually
• Those watching their entertainment budget

Silver Tier ($100/year)

Who It's For

Silver is the most popular tier—optimal for regular competitors:

• Weekly players who compete consistently
• Developing competitors building their skills
• Balanced players who want stakes without maximum investment
• Community members engaged in local competition

The Economics

Annual investment: $100 (~$2/week)

Break-even scenarios:

• Two 6th-place finishes cover 80% of annual cost
• One 4th-place finish covers 100% of annual cost
• One 1st-place finish = 4× annual investment

Expected value considerations:

If you make Elite Six most weeks and average 4th place:

• 40 weeks × $100 = $4,000 in winnings
• Net positive: +$3,900 on $100 investment

Even averaging 6th place:

• 40 weeks × $40 = $1,600 in winnings
• Net positive: +$1,500 on $100 investment

Best For

• Regular weekly competitors (30+ weeks/year)
• Players who consistently make Elite Six
• Those who want meaningful stakes
• Most DCS members find Silver optimal

Gold Tier ($200/year)

Who It's For

Gold is for serious competitors:

• Elite players who dominate weekly competition
• NDT aspirants building toward national qualification
• High-stakes seekers who want maximum intensity
• Committed competitors who play every week

The Economics

Annual investment: $200 (~$4/week)

Break-even scenarios:

• Two-three 6th-place finishes cover annual cost
• Two 4th-place finishes cover 100% of annual cost
• One 1st-place finish = 4× annual investment

Expected value considerations:

If you consistently win or place high:

• 45 weeks averaging 2nd place: 45 × $500 = $22,500
• 45 weeks averaging 1st place: 45 × $800 = $36,000

Even making Elite Six and averaging 5th:

• 45 weeks × $120 = $5,400 in winnings
• Net positive: +$5,200 on $200 investment

Best For

• Players who make Elite Six 45+ weeks/year
• Consistently top-3 finishers
• Those targeting NDT qualification
• Maximum competition intensity seekers

Choosing the Right Tier

Decision Framework

Ask yourself:

1. How often will I compete?

   • 1-2 times/month → Bronze
   • Weekly → Silver or Gold
   • Every week without exception → Gold

2. How do I typically finish?

   • Learning the game → Bronze
   • Making Elite Six sometimes → Silver
   • Consistently Elite Six top-3 → Gold

3. What's my primary motivation?

   • Community and fun → Bronze
   • Competition and improvement → Silver
   • Maximum stakes and serious competition → Gold

4. What's my annual entertainment budget?

   • Tight budget → Bronze
   • Moderate flexibility → Silver
   • Comfortable investing in competition → Gold

Tier Selection Matrix

Upgrading and Downgrading

Upgrading

Available anytime:

• Prorated pricing based on remaining membership
• New tier takes effect immediately
• Access upgraded prize pools same week

Example: Upgrade from Silver to Gold with 6 months remaining:

• Pay the difference (~$50 prorated)
• Compete for Gold-level prizes immediately

Downgrading

Processed at renewal:

• Current tier continues until expiration
• Select new tier during renewal process
• No mid-season downgrades

Tier Switching Strategy

Start conservative, upgrade based on performance:

1. Join at Bronze to test commitment
2. Track your Elite Six frequency
3. Calculate expected winnings vs. tier costs
4. Upgrade when the math supports it

Or commit to growth:

1. Join at Silver or Gold from the start
2. Let higher stakes motivate improvement
3. Compete with serious players immediately
4. Accelerate skill development

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my tier affect who I play against?

No. All players in your city compete together regardless of tier. Tier only affects the prize pool amount.

Can I be in different tiers for different cities?

Your membership tier applies to your primary city. Cross-city play follows specific rules.

What if I upgrade mid-week?

Your new tier takes effect immediately. If you qualify for Elite Six that week, you compete for the upgraded prize pool.

Do Gold members have any other advantages?

Beyond larger prize pools, all members have equal access to platform features, rankings, and NDT eligibility.

Is there a family or group discount?

Check current promotions. DCS occasionally offers group signup incentives.

Next Steps

• Prize Structure — Detailed prize distribution
• Elite Six Explained — Weekly competition format
• Membership Overview — Full membership details
• Quick Start Guide — Begin competing