Welcome to MTGSalvation, 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 MTGSalvation may differ from what you are accustomed to on other sites. When posting on MTGSalvation, 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 MTGSalvation.
MTGSalvation moderators commonly issue two types of administrative actions. Warnings (a simple reminder of the forum rules), and infractions. If you accumulate three simultaneous active infractions, you will be suspended from the forums. Generally, infractions remain active for a period of 40 days.
Normal Offenses
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.
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, and posting excessively short messages such as "thanks", "k", "QFT", "Oh god no", etc.
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.
Racist and sexist comments, as well as the use of slurs, are not permitted. Colloquial use of words such as 'gay', 'retarded' and 'raped' is similarly disallowed, as insensitive and offensive.
Certain words will be automatically censored by the forum software. Do not attempt to get around this by altering the word slightly or inserting an asterisk of your own. Example: If "gris" were a banned word, "gr*s," "gr1s," and "grris" would all be examples of censor evading.
Bold red and the [mod] tag are reserved for moderator use. Any use of bold red text that a person could reasonably mistake for moderator action will be infracted. (If you quote mod text in a signature, please change the formatting such that it will not be confused with a mod edit.)
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.
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.
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 either 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.
Immediate Suspension Offenses:
Some offenses may result in a direct suspension regardless of the number of Infractions you have received.
Soliciting
Promoting or linking to content on other websites is permissible for purposes of discussion, but not for the purpose of soliciting for financial gain. Accounts whose only purpose is starting threads meant for advertising will 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, or contact an administrator.
Posting on behalf of Banned or Suspended Members
Do not post messages on behalf of banned or suspended members.
Inappropriate Material
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, Infracted and can lead to auto-Suspension. This rule counts for writing, images (both attached and linked), links to sites with inappropriate material, avatars, signatures, custom titles, 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.
Plagiarism and Artwork
Do not copy/paste other peoples' work without crediting them (a link is fine). If you share or modify artwork, include the original artists' full name and a link to the source.
Illegal Activity
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 copyrighted material being distributed without permission of the copyright holder) is strictly prohibited.
Disregarding a Moderator Request
If a Moderator makes a reasonable request that you do or not do something, please follow his or her instructions. If you feel a request from a moderator is unreasonable, contact that person via PM or at his or her Helpdesk. You may also contact a forum administrator to intervene. Do not simply ignore the moderator's request.
Bad Trading Practices and/or Suspected Ripping
If you are reported as a bad trader or suspected ripper in the Market StreetBad Trader Report forum, you will receive a notification infraction, be suspended from trading until the reported situation is resolved, and will be required to reply to the report thread within a reasonable time (currently seven days). ]Failure to reply within this time will result in your account being banned.
Immediate Banning Offenses:
Breaking any of these rules may result in your account being instantly banned:
Malicious Links
No tubgirl, goatse, lemonparty, etc. Also, do not link people to spyware or to a page with malicious code.
Snuff or Child Pornography
As expected, this material will get you banned and reported to the proper authorities.
Scams or Ripping
Attempting to cheat people out of their money/cards subversively. If you are confirmed as a ripper in the Market Street forums you will be banned and lose all your positive references. Failing to reply to a Bad Trader Report thread about you within the assigned time frame will also result in banning as a ripper.
Evading a Limitation of Site Privileges
If your account is limited in some manner (suspension from the site, suspension/banning of Market Street privileges), you are expected to abide by those restrictions. This prevents use of an alternate account, having a friend post for you, or circumventing these restrictions in any other manner. If you are suspended from the site, the only acceptable use of the PM system is to complete trades already in progress at the time of your suspension, or to discuss your suspension with staff. Any other use of the PM system is a violation of this rule.
Threats
Making any sort of physical or legal threat towards another user, moderator, or the site itself will result in an immediate ban.
Suspensions
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 trades already in progress.
If you are suspended due to accumulating three simultaneous infractions, the suspension will end once you no longer have three active infractions.
Users may also be suspended in response to a single, serious offense. In these cases, the duration of the suspension will accord with the following schedule:
First Suspension: One week
Second Suspension: Two weeks
Third Suspension: One month
Fourth Suspension: Three months
Fifth Suspension: Six months
In the event a user is suspended for a single serious offense and also accumulates three active infractions, the longer period will apply.
Serious or repeated breaches of the MTGS Forum Rules will result in the banning of your account. If your account is banned from the site, you are not welcome to return unless you successfully appeal your banning, and any gimmick accounts you possess or subsequent accounts that you register will also be tracked and banned. The staff of MTGSalvation holds the right to ban any member for a reasonable purpose at any time, regardless of infractions accumulated.
Filing appeals
If you disagree with an action taken by a moderator, do not argue with the moderator in that thread, or in the Community Issues subforum. Contact the moderator via PM or on that moderator’s Helpdesk thread (located in a subforum of Community Issues) and discuss the issue in a civil manner.
If the moderator refuses to reverse a decision and you wish to continue an appeal of an infraction you may approach an Administrator, again either via PM or on that administrator’s Helpdesk thread.
[If you wish to appeal a suspension or ban, you are entitled to one thread in the Ban/Suspension Appeal Forum. Please list all relevant details within your initial post to assist the review of your appeal.
Small Print
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
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.
Welcome to MTGSalvation, 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 MTGSalvation may differ from what you are accustomed to on other sites. When posting on MTGSalvation, 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 MTGSalvation.
Warnings (Reminders) and Infractions
MTGSalvation moderators commonly issue two types of administrative actions. Warnings (a simple reminder of the forum rules), and infractions. If you accumulate three simultaneous active infractions, you will be suspended from the forums. Generally, infractions remain active for a period of 40 days.
Normal Offenses
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.
Immediate Suspension Offenses:
Some offenses may result in a direct suspension regardless of the number of Infractions you have received.
Immediate Banning Offenses:
Breaking any of these rules may result in your account being instantly banned:
Suspensions
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 trades already in progress.
If you are suspended due to accumulating three simultaneous infractions, the suspension will end once you no longer have three active infractions.
Users may also be suspended in response to a single, serious offense. In these cases, the duration of the suspension will accord with the following schedule:
In the event a user is suspended for a single serious offense and also accumulates three active infractions, the longer period will apply.
Bannings
Serious or repeated breaches of the MTGS Forum Rules will result in the banning of your account. If your account is banned from the site, you are not welcome to return unless you successfully appeal your banning, and any gimmick accounts you possess or subsequent accounts that you register will also be tracked and banned. The staff of MTGSalvation holds the right to ban any member for a reasonable purpose at any time, regardless of infractions accumulated.
Filing appeals
If you disagree with an action taken by a moderator, do not argue with the moderator in that thread, or in the Community Issues subforum. Contact the moderator via PM or on that moderator’s Helpdesk thread (located in a subforum of Community Issues) and discuss the issue in a civil manner.
If the moderator refuses to reverse a decision and you wish to continue an appeal of an infraction you may approach an Administrator, again either via PM or on that administrator’s Helpdesk thread.
[If you wish to appeal a suspension or ban, you are entitled to one thread in the Ban/Suspension Appeal Forum. Please list all relevant details within your initial post to assist the review of your appeal.
Small Print
MTG Salvation