MTGSalvation Forum Rules

[ExpiredRascals]

MTG Salvation Official Forum Rules and Guidelines

Welcome to MTG Salvation, a community-based Magic: the Gathering site that is your #1 source for MTG-related rumors on the web! Before posting, please take some time to familiarize yourself with our Forum Rules and Guidelines, as well as the specific rules for any subforums you plan to visit.

The standards for posting on MTG Salvation may differ from what you are accustomed to on other sites. When posting on MTG Salvation, it is important to treat others with the same respect you would wish to receive in real life. If you are considering saying something that would not be appropriate if you were sitting in a public cafeteria, it probably is not appropriate for MTG Salvation.

We have a number of rules, which we urge you to review in full. We enforce these rules and expect all users to abide by them while participating on MTGSalvation. If you see problematic posts, please use the report button () and let the moderators of that section know. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse for breaking them.

The brief version is as follows; for in-depth explanation, follow the links:

• Don't spam, make sure your posts are on-topic and constructive. ^{Read more}
• Be nice and respectful, don't flame or troll other users. ^{Read more}
• Don't use inappropriate language or post inappropriate content. ^{Read more}
• Don't evade the censor. ^{Read more}
• Mod text (bold red text) is reserved for moderator use. ^{Read more}
• Don't edit or delete the offending part of moderated posts. ^{Read more}
• Do your best to use language the rest of us can understand. ^{Read more}
• Don't image leech. ^{Read more}
• We have limits to what you can include in your avatar and signature, don't exceed those limits. The limits can be reviewed here.
• Advertising/soliciting for financial gain is not allowed. ^{Read more}
• Promotion of illegal activity (such as unlawful drug use, theft, copyright infringement) is strictly forbidden. ^{Read more}

In addition, we have rules for less common offenses. You can read more here.

FAQ:

In-depth Explanation of Individual Rules

About Our Infraction/Suspension System

What Are Warnings and Infractions?
How Do I Review My Warnings and Infractions?
What Are Suspensions?
About Suspension Evasion
What Are Bans?

Appealing Moderator Decisions

What Do I Do if I Disagree with a Warning/Infraction?
How Do I Appeal a Suspension or Ban?
If I Am Banned from the Forums, How Can I Return?

Links to Individual Subforum Rules

Small Print

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In-depth Explanation of Individual Rules

The list below is not intended to be all-inclusive of the offenses that may cause warnings or infractions; the MTGSalvation staff reserves the right to issue warnings and infractions for offenses not listed. If you are at any point unsure about the rules, wonder whether something is okay, or want an exemption from a rule for some reason, please contact a member of the staff, either via PMs, Moderator Helpdesks, or the Staff Inbox.

Spam

A spam post is any post that does not contribute an original thought, advance the discussion, or add on-topic content to a thread.

Examples of spam posts include, but are not limited to:

• bumping a thread (other than a haves/wants trading list)
• discussing a topic that is not relevant to the thread it's posted in
• posting excessively short messages such as "thanks", "k", "QFT", "Oh god no", just a single smily, etc.
• just posting a single meme image
• annoying/unreadable text
• aggressive multiposting (posting several posts in a row within a short period of time)
• thread necromancy (reviving a long since dead and irrelevant thread)

Sometimes your off-topic joke may be considered spam. It might be funny, but in and of itself it might also be spammy or even disruptive. We welcome jokes, but they are best accompanied by actual relevant content as well.

Flaming, Trolling and Other Forms of Misbehavior

Flaming is a hostile verbal attack directed at another person or group of people. Trolling is the act of deliberately provoking a hostile reaction from other users. These actions will not be tolerated. Additionally, harassing and flaming someone via PMs may trigger more severe offenses, up to and including a suspension.

We do not recognize excuses such as "he flamed me first!"; if you feel attacked by other members, report the post and let moderators handle it rather than flame back. Similarly, if you feel that someone is trolling, just report the post/thread. Calling someone a troll also amounts to flaming/trolling.

The rule of thumb is to criticize the idea, not the person. You may think a deck is bad, and you may say so (though make it constructive), but a deck being bad doesn't make the poster an idiot. Be respectful.

Responding to other people with unwarranted hostility, picking fights and in general being a jerk to other members is also grounds for moderation. Remember, it is everyone's job to be friendly and civilized, and maintain other users' good forum experience. We want people to get along.

Inappropriate Language

Racist and sexist comments, as well as the use of slurs, are not permitted. Casual use of words such as 'gay', 'retarded' and 'raped' is similarly disallowed, as it is insensitive and offensive.

Evading the Censor

Certain words will be automatically censored by the forum software. Any attempt to 'cheat' a word past the censor, or to clarify what the censored word is, is considered censor evasion. Should the word 'gris' be censored, 'gr*s' would be censor evasion, as would 'g***' and 'gri$'. If you want to curse, just curse. Let the censor handle it. With other words, using the previous example, you should just type out the word "gris".

If there are inoffensive words or parts of words that are censored due to incidental censor splash damage (an example would be the word Scunthorpe, which is the name of an English town), evading may be permitted if you ask a moderator first.

Mod Text

Bold red and the [mod] tag are reserved for moderator use. As use of bold red text can potentially be mistaken for moderator action, it is not permitted.

If you quote mod text in a signature, please change the formatting such that it will not be confused with a mod edit. For example, you can change the font color, or you can remove the boldness. Regular red text that isn't bolded is permitted.

Editing a Moderated Post

Do not delete, edit, or obscure either the bold red text a moderator has edited into a warned or infracted post or the offending portion of that post without permission from a moderator.

The purpose of this rule is to have the moderated post serve as a learning tool for other users, so that they may see what might or might not be allowed. Additionally, it is to have other users see why a particular post was moderated, and not leave them confused as they see a perfectly okay post.

Don't touch the modtext or the part that got you in trouble, the rest is fair game. Sometimes a moderator will edit in < and > to indicate what the issue was. If so, you just need to not touch that. And if you are unsure, you can always just PM a moderator.

Repeated Bad Spelling and/or Grammar

Continuous bad grammar, "text speak" or bad spelling in posts will not be tolerated. If English is not your first language and you use some words or grammar out of place, or you occasionally make mistakes don't worry. Only members who consistently make no effort to communicate clearly will get an Infraction.

Furthermore, this is an English forum, and users are expected to use English to communicate. Some non-English words here and there isn't going to be an issue, but conversations in other languages are not allowed. Exceptions exist, but they must be pre-approved by staff.

Image Leeching

Image leeching is hot linking to an image (using [img] tags) that is NOT hosted on:

• MTGSalvation.com
• MagicCards.info
• Your own webhosting
• An image uploading site like ImageShack.us or Photobucket.com
• A site that has given you express permission to hotlink

We HIGHLY suggest that all Rumor Mill posts attach images to the posts using the forums' own software. We have had cases in the past where WoTC's website was down and images were unavailable, and where Photobucket/personal image sites removed high traffic images.

If you are unsure whether a site is considered a photo hosting website, the best thing to do is upload them to MTG Salvation or your own photo hosting website account. Alternatively, you can ask a moderator.

Signature and Avatar Offenses

Signatures may include only one non-animated 600x100 or 450x150 block of image, not including smilies. Any secondary banners, even if they are in spoiler tags, will be removed. Signature text should be kept to a reasonable length. Excessive amounts of text, links, quotes, empty space, etc., should be put inside spoiler tags. Avatars cannot be larger than 100x100 pixels or 40 kb and if animated must not flash or play at excessive speeds.

Soliciting - Immediate Suspension Offense

Promoting or linking to content on other websites is permissible for purposes of discussion, but not for the purpose of soliciting for financial gain or generating traffic. Accounts whose only purpose is starting threads meant for advertising may be banned on sight. If you wish to buy, sell, or trade cards or other items, you should confine those activities to the Market Street section of the site and follow their guidelines, or contact an administrator.

If you wish to promote your Magic-related website or software, please contact a member of the staff first.

Members are allowed to advertise in their signatures, as long as the formatting is not excessive/aggressive.

Inappropriate Material - Immediate Suspension Offense

Content on MTGSalvation is expected to be "work safe", which is a little more restrictive than a "PG-13" guideline. This includes but is not limited to excessive adult language and sexually explicit content. Posts with content that breaks this guideline will be edited and infracted with the potential to lead to an automatic suspension. This rule applies to writing, images (both attached and linked), videos (embedded and linked), avatars, signatures, custom titles, links to sites with inappropriate material, etc. It is not possible to determine an exhaustive list of what falls under this guideline, so as a general rule do not post content that would not be viewable at work or school. Additionally, if images are found to be of an illegal nature (child pornography, etc.) your account will be automatically banned and you will be reported to the proper authorities.

Illegal Activity - Immediate Suspension Offense

Promotion of illegal activity, requesting advice about participation in an illegal activity, or assisting in any illegal activity, including but not limited to unlawful drug use, theft, copyright infringement (this includes downloading, reproducing, soliciting copyrighted material being distributed without permission of the copyright holder [such as premium articles (copy/pasting of any non-decklist part of the article), and printed Magic: the Gathering proxies (playable cards or tokens) which use any of Wizards of the Coast's graphics or illustrations]) is strictly prohibited.

While some activities are not considered illegal everywhere, if something is widely or generally illegal, it is also considered disallowed here, even if it's okay where you live. If you are unsure about what we consider okay or not, please contact a member of the staff.

Other Offenses

Abuse of the Report System - Any use of the report system other than to bring problematic posts to the attention of staff will result in an automatic suspension. Don't report a post multiple times, don't use it to convey personal messages.

Aiding & Abetting Evasion of Limited Site Privileges - Do not post content for or from banned/suspended members, and do not assist banned/suspended members in either communicating with or partaking in the forums. Violations will be penalized as determined appropriate by the staff.

Box Mapping - Any posts attempting to create a box map will be infracted and deleted. This includes, but is not limited to:
Gathering detailed box data, sharing of detailed box contents through posting or sharing files hosted offsite, posting box maps, advertising links to offsite resources for boxmapping, or sharing detailed print run information regarding tracks of rares, mythics, or foils.

Information about print runs of commons or uncommons for Limited are accepted.

Proxies (ie Counterfeiting) - Anyone attempting to buy/sell/trade proxies and or reproductions will be automatically suspended from MTG Salvation. People trying to sell counterfeits and/or proxies may be completely banned and reported to Wizards of the Coast and any appropriate US or foreign law enforcement agencies.

Threats - Making any sort of physical or legal threat towards another user, moderator, or the site itself will result in an immediate ban.

Return to the FAQ

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About Our Infraction/Suspension System

What Are Warnings and Infractions?

If you violate one of our forum rules, you may receive a warning () or an infraction ().

Warnings are considered rules reminders, and count as 0 active infraction points. Infractions are typically worth 1 active infraction point, but should the situation call for it, infractions worth multiple points may be issued.

You will typically receive a warning when you violated a particular rule for the first time, unless it was a particularly egregious violation. Offenses related to flaming or trolling are commonly automatically infracted rather than warned.

Most warnings and infractions expire in 40 days. When an infraction expires, it no longer counts towards your total active infractions.

How Do I Review My Warnings and Infractions?

Only you or a member of the staff may view your infractions. To see them, click on your profile, then the "Infractions" tab. Here is an example (Gimmick Account, the staff's test monkey's infractions):

What Are Suspensions?

If you accumulate 3 active infraction points, you will be suspended. Additionally, if you already have 3 active infraction points and receive another infraction, you will be suspended again. Certain serious offenses may also result in a suspension independent of infraction points. Suspended users may only post on the Bad Trader Report and Ban/Suspension Appeal forums, and may not use the PM system for any reason other than speaking to staff regarding the suspension or completing confirmed trades already in progress.

Suspension durations follow this model:

• First Suspension: One week
• Second Suspension: Two weeks
• Third Suspension: Three weeks
• Fourth Suspension: One month
• Any Suspension after that: One month and staff consideration for a ban.

If you want to appeal your suspension, you can learn about that here.

About Suspension Evasion

If your account is limited in some manner (suspension from the site, suspension/revocation of Market Street privileges, etc.), you are required to abide by those restrictions. This precludes the use of an alternate account, having a friend post for you, and any other manner of circumvention of these restrictions. If you are suspended from the site, the only acceptable use of the PM system is to complete confirmed trades, or to discuss your suspension with staff. Any other use of the PM system is a violation of your suspension.

Members who evade their suspension or other limit on their account in any manner will receive an additional week to their suspension. A second violation of this rule however will cause your account to be immediately banned along with all gimmicks which you might have.

What Are Bans?

Certain particularly severe offenses may warrant a full ban from the forums. If you are banned, and the ban is upheld, you are not allowed to participate in the forums in any way, except in the Ban/Suspension Appeal Forum for the duration of your ban. Bans last at least six months. At that point, you may have the staff review your status for unbanning at the discretion of the staff. You may read more about this here.

Return to the FAQ

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Appealing Moderator Decisions

What Do I Do if I Disagree with a Warning/Infraction?

So, you got a warning or infraction that you disagree with, and you want to do something about it.

What you should do is contact the moderator who issued the warning/infraction either through PM or on that moderator's helpdesk, all of which are located in the Moderator Helpdesks subforum. Present your case in a calm, civilized, and reasonable manner. If you're unsure about something, ask. If you think context was missed, explain it. If you do not get an answer, or you are dissatisfied with the answer, you may appeal to an administrator. However, the administrator's decision is final.

Do NOT:

-Argue with the moderator in the thread you got the infraction. It is disruptive to the conversation, and will most likely net you further infractions.

-Create a Community Issues thread about it. The Community Issues forum is for sitewide issues, not for you to campaign for public sympathy because you think your Internet forum rights have been trampled due to an infraction. If you make a thread here it will be locked and just make the mods that much less likely to listen to what you have to say.

-Go straight to an admin without giving the moderator a chance. The moderator who issued the warning/infraction should always be your first point of contact. If we (the admins) find out you didn't even try to contact the mod who took action, we're going to direct you back to that mod. By going to the correct mod in the first place you save everybody some time, including yourself.

How Do I Appeal a Suspension or Ban?

If you believe you have been wrongly suspended or banned, you may create a thread in the Ban/Suspension Appeal subforum, which only banned or suspended members, as well as staff, can see. Be polite, and make it clear what you are contesting (for example, which individual infractions, if any, and why).

The staff will then consider your appeal and may discuss it with you in the appeal thread, so be sure to check it regularly. Once the staff reaches a decision, that decision is final.

If I Am Banned from the Forums, How Can I Return?

If you were determined to have been justly banned, you may still appeal your status as a banned member. That process is explained below:

Spoiler:

• If you have been banned, you may appeal your ban in the Ban/Suspension Appeal Forum.
• If the appeal is denied, it's a default six months off, with circumstances considered.
• After that period, another appeal can be lodged. If this appeal is denied, another six months must pass before another appeal is reviewed, ad nauseam.
• At the point that a user can be determined to show an understanding of their reason for being banned & displays a genuine interest in reforming their character, they will be unbanned.
• Gimmick evasion of these conditions at any time means that the time until another appeal is reconsidered is reset to six months.
• Members who have been guilty of ripping, posting malicious links or other very severe offenses, will under no circumstance be allowed back on MtG Salvation.

New Banned Member Policy FAQ:

Q: How does this policy affect previously banned members?

A: The new policy applies to previously banned members as well. Meaning, if they have been banned for a minimum of six months, they may post an appeal for the staff to review.

Q: What if I evaded my ban/suspension in the past?

A: You have the same rights as other banned members in regards to a ban appeal.

Q: Will the community know when a previously banned member has been unbanned?

A: Whenever a previously banned user gets unbanned, a post in the "Currently Suspended/Banned Users" thread will explain it.

Q: Can we request members to be unbanned?

A: We will only consider appeals submitted by the banned member in question. You can certainly encourage this member to appeal, but we will not review appeals on behalf of other members.

The quick version is: if you've been banned for at least six months, and haven't evaded the ban with a gimmick during that period, you may appeal your ban, which the staff will review. However, if you were banned for ripping or a similarly serious offense, you will never be welcomed back to MTG Salvation.

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Links to Individual Subforum Rules


MTG Salvation

• News
• Upcoming Events

Magic Fundamentals

• Rumor Mill
  • New Card Discussion
    • Rumored Card Rulings
  • Speculation
    • Baseless Speculation
• Magic Rulings
• Magic General
• Digital Magic and MTG Software
• Magic Storyline

The Game

• Standard
  • Standard Competitive Main
    • Standard Established
    • Standard Developing
  • Standard Deck Creation
  • Standard New Card Discussion
• Modern
• Legacy
• Vintage
• Magic Online General
  • Pauper
  • Other MTGO Formats
  • Magic Online Streaming
• Block Constructed
• Limited
  • Draftcap Discussion
• The Cube Forum
  • Cube Lists
  • Card and Archetype Discussion Rules
  • Pauper & Peasant Discussion Rules
  • Articles, Podcasts and Guides Rules
• Commander
• Casual & Related Formats
  • Extended

Outside Magic

• Water Cooler Talk
  • Real-Life Advice
  • The Versus Forum
• Debate
• Entertainment
• Clans
• Mafia
• Other Forum Games
• Colosseum

Creativity

• Artwork
• Personal Writing
• Custom Card Creation
• Humor
• Avatar & Sig Shops

Market Street

• Market Street Café
• Trading Post - Non-Magic

Red Zone

• The Speakeasy
• NSFW Artwork (membership required - to apply, click here and apply for NSFW Subforum Member)
• NSFW Creative Writing (membership required - to apply, click here and apply for NSFW Subforum Member)
• NSFW Debate (membership required - to apply, click here and apply for NSFW Subforum Member)

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Small Print

• The staff reserves the right to issue a penalty different from what is suggested in the rules, should the situation call for it.
• The staff of MTGSalvation holds the right to suspend or ban any member for a reasonable purpose at any time, regardless of infractions accumulated.
• All site rules also apply to blogs and photo albums.
• Interpretation of the Forum Rules is always at the discretion of the MTGSalvation staff.
• Any warnings/infractions accumulated on one account will count against any other "gimmick" accounts you may have.
• The Forum Rules listed here may be changed to any extent at any time.
• Finally, remember that MTG Salvation membership is a privilege, not a right.

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