# Cascading AA then E then D

> Break all-around ties using cascading score comparison, then fall back to execution and difficulty.

> **Visual guide:** [View the decision tree in Figma](https://www.figma.com/board/buBLVKBnXGMmmm3pUdvxvw/)

## Prerequisites

* [Set up your levels](/levels/index.md) before configuring tiebreakers.

## Configuration

In your level settings under tiebreaker configuration, choose "Cascading AA then E then D" for your all-around tiebreaker. This is the most thorough option available.

## How it works

1. Two gymnasts have the same **all-around final score**.
2. **Cascading comparison** - Sort apparatus scores highest to lowest, drop the lowest, compare sums. Repeat until broken or one score remains. (Same as [Cascading All-Around](/tiebreakers/cascading-all-around.md).)
3. If cascading doesn't break the tie, compare **all-around execution scores** (total E across all apparatus). Higher execution wins.
4. If execution is also tied, compare **all-around difficulty scores** (total D across all apparatus). Higher difficulty wins.
5. If still tied, the gymnasts share the same rank.

This uses three layers of comparison before declaring a tie.

## Example

Two gymnasts tie with an all-around of 52.000, and cascading comparison also fails to separate them:

| Gymnast | AA Total | AA E Score | AA D Score | Result  |
| ------- | -------- | ---------- | ---------- | ------- |
| Alice   | 52.000   | 34.200     | 18.800     | **1st** |
| Bob     | 52.000   | 33.800     | 19.200     | 2nd     |

After cascading comparison produces the same sums at every step, Alice wins because her total execution (34.200) is higher than Bob's (33.800).

## When to use

* When you want the **most comprehensive** all-around tiebreaker.
* Elite or high-level competitions where ties should be broken whenever possible.
* When cascading alone might not be enough (e.g., gymnasts with very similar apparatus distributions).

## Compared to Cascading All-Around

| Tiebreaker                     | After cascading fails             |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------- |
| **Cascading All-Around**       | Declares a tie                    |
| **Cascading AA then E then D** | Falls back to E then D comparison |

## Related

* [Cascading All-Around](/tiebreakers/cascading-all-around.md) - Without the E/D fallback
* [Compare E then D](/tiebreakers/compare-e-then-d.md)
* [How do tiebreakers work?](/tiebreakers/index.md)
* [How to configure individual score settings](/levels/individual-score-settings.md)


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