Rules Bulbagarden Forum Rules (Last Updated April 13th, 2022)

[dig]

Hello all!

The forum staff have introduced a new rule set. We've reduced the number of rules, made tricky language easier to understand, and have hopefully simplified the rules to make understanding them easier.

Below is the new ruleset, effective immediately. Any warning you receive will be active for a set period of time as denoted in the brackets.

Please note that unless stated otherwise, the rules apply to all facets of the forum - that includes usernames, profile information, profile posts, and private messages.

1. Don't have a signature outside the allowed limits (Excessive Signature) [2 points, 3 months]

• The combined size of all images and text should not exceed 160 pixels in height, and 500 kB in size. Spoiler tags, scrollbars, etc. are not allowed.
• One extra line of text is allowed to give credit to the artist(s) of avatars and signatures.
• Bulbagarden staff are allowed slightly greater limits as a reward for their service; 220 pixels tall, 600 kB
• You may check your signature here.

2. Don't advertise other sites in threads (Advertising) [3 points, 3 months]

• You may post links to other sites if relevant to the thread
• You may link to other sites in your signature, personal profile or blog
• You may link to your own creative pages in appropriate forums i.e. Art Gallery & Written Word (Please note their section rules)

3. Don't make disruptive posts (Disruptive Post) [3 points, 3 months]

• Don't make irrelevant or repetitive posts
  • All posts should be related to either the original topic of the thread, or a response to another post in the thread.
  • Don't repeatedly post the same (or slightly rephrased) opinion or argument in the same thread.
  • Don't repeatedly post content to get a thread higher in the view list.
  • Don't continue discussing a subject after a moderator asks for it to be dropped.
  • Don't act as if you're a moderator by telling users to follow the rules (aka "minimodding"). If you think a post or thread is rule-breaking, report it instead.
  • Don't mention users without good reason.
  • Don't post keyboard commands that close windows, log off unsuspecting users, etc.
• Don't purposefully post spoilers for recent media content, all spoilers should be in SPOILER tags.
  • Elements that have already been officially revealed (in trailers, announcements, official previews, etc) are NOT spoilers
  • References to plot elements or quotes that do not reveal the significance of that plot point or quote are NOT spoilers
• Avoid posting in languages other than English and avoid excessive styling in posts
  • Excessive styling can be: excessive use of rainbow text, large fonts, large images, spoiler pyramids, etc
  • Avoid using non-Latin characters in your forum username. Non-Latin characters are only allowed in signatures, PMs/VMs, personal profile and user title.
  • Japanese text is permissible within our Pokemon sections.
• Large images (larger than 500 x 500 pixels) should be placed in SPOILER tags.

4. Don't ask for or advertise illegal content (Copyright Violation) [4 points, 6 months]

• This includes fansubs, scanlations, full episodes, ROMs, etc.
• Don't discuss or name groups or websites that provide illegal content.
• Fan-made games can be discussed, but not linked to. Posting short excerpts (magazine scans of a few pages, short anime clips, etc.) is allowed.

5. Don't steal other people's fanworks, or fail to credit them (Plagiarism) [5 points, 6 months]

• If you use something you didn't create, credit the creator. If you do not know the creator or could not find them, make sure to say so.
• An extra line of text is allowed in addition to the standard signature limits to credit creators.
• Writer's Workshop has additional clarification for Plagiarism in their own section.

6. Don't insult or attack other users (Flaming) [5 points, 6 months]

• Don't use language that demeans others, including groups of people ("genwunners," "that's gay/retarded/autistic," “bitch/bastard”).
• Don’t use language that trivialises violence or death ("I raped his team", "he should be shot").
• Don’t use language that makes people uncomfortable for feeling offended or disagreeing with a viewpoint (“special snowflake”, “triggered”). Respect other people's identity (and make an effort to use their specified pronouns), when known.

7. Don't try to provoke arguments (Baiting) [5 points, 6 months]

• When debating with other users, be respectful of their views.
  • Address other people's posts. Don't nitpick details, assume bad faith, or be dismissive or unreasonably misrepresent their views (ex: "[citation needed]")
  • Don't treat your opinions as an established fact, or claim to speak for other people or a group (including "the majority").
  • Don't gloat when you feel you've proven a point or someone else has conceded a point. Being right does not give you bragging rights.
  • Don't be dismissive of other's posts. This includes making posts to say "that's just your opinion" or similar.
• Don't abuse the report system. Report rule-breaking content, but do not target other users or try to get them in trouble by reporting posts you don't agree with.
• Don't continue a controversial discussion the moderators have asked you to drop.
• Don't bring issues from other sites to Bulbagarden; this includes arguing about what users or staff do on other sites and gloating about your site.
• Don't misuse the pronoun profile field. The field is only for other users to find out how they should probably address you, and should only be used for that purpose.

8. Don't make abusive or harassing posts toward other users (Abuse and Harassment) [10 points, 12 months]

• Don't make violent threats or emotionally manipulate other users.
• Don't make sexual or romantic advances or lewd comments toward another user (or a specific group of users).
• Do not continue flaming or bothering a person or group after being told not to.
• Do not make discriminatory posts based on things like race, orientation, disability, gender identity or similar.
• Do not reveal information about a person without their explicit permission (This includes, but not limited to; email address, home address, phone number, pictures, etc)

9. Don't post oversexualized, offensive or similarly shocking content (Inappropriate Content) [10 points, 12 months]

• Don't post pictures that focus on or draw attention to breasts, buttocks and/or crotches (even clothed).
• Don't post pictures that focus on or draw attention to fetish or erotic imagery, this includes non-naked images. This includes images featuring partial or full nudity or images depicting sexual acts or situations.
• Don't post imagery associated with hate movements, ideologies or groups (Confederate States, Alt-Right, etc.).
• Don’t post shocking content, such as gore, brutal violence, heavy amounts of blood, etc.
• Don't link to websites that notoriously contain inappropriate content (e.g. 4Chan). Appropriate screenshots from these sites may be used instead.
• Historical or non-sexualised art such as Michelangelo's David or Nirvana's Nevermind album cover are allowed.

10. Don't create sockpuppets (Sockpuppeting) [10 points, 6 months]

• A sockpuppet is an additional account you create on top of your main one, without staff permission.
• The warning is applied to your main account with the sockpuppet being permanently banned.

General information

Except for blatant infractions, moderators will generally give 0-point warnings OR public warning (in the thread) before giving out points. Please do note that when a moderator posts in a thread to tell everyone to stop a certain behavior, that the moderator’s post does count as a warning.

0-point warnings are simple reminders meant to help you figure out the rules and avoid trouble. They are not punishment, and they don't make you more likely to be punished.

If you are unhappy with a warning that you have received, discuss it with the moderator that gave you the warning. If you still believe that the moderator was unfair or biased against you after your discussion, please use this form to register your complaint.

Note that several forums have specific rules themselves, and make sure to abide by these rules as well.

If you accumulate too many points, you may be temporarily banned from Bulbagarden Forums

This is the ban structure:

• 10 active warning points: 2 days
• 20 active warning points: 10 days
• 30 active warning points: 1 month
• 40 active warning points: 4 months
• 50+ active warning points: Indefinite ban

If you receive a temporary ban, the time starts from the moment you receive the ban. Ergo, if you get a two day ban at 5:00am on Friday the 27th, the ban will end at 5:00am on Sunday the 29th.

 

[dragon_nataku]

I has a question. So, the rules state twice that "one extra line is allowed to credit creators," but I can't find anything that states how many lines a signature is allowed to have in the first place.

 

[Lone_Garurumon]

I has a question. So, the rules state twice that "one extra line is allowed to credit creators," but I can't find anything that states how many lines a signature is allowed to have in the first place.

"1. Don't have a signature outside the allowed limits (Excessive Signature) [2 points, 1 month]
- The combined size of all regular images and text should not exceed 600 pixels wide, 160 tall, and 500 kB. Spoiler tags, scrollbars, etc. are not allowed."
That'd probably include any text not crediting a creator.

 

[dig]

This extra line, roughly ten pixels tall, is not counted in the 600 x 160 dimensions. You only get this extra line if it's to credit somone.

 

[dragon_nataku]

So that means... people get 16 lines of text if they don't include images? (Sorry I am bad with numbers and math)

 

[Enzap]

So that means... people get 16 lines of text if they don't include images? (Sorry I am bad with numbers and math)

It would probably come up to a little less counting spaces between lines. Just be reasonable with it.

 

[dragon_nataku]

OK just wanted to make sure I wasn't somehow over. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Enzap]

OK just wanted to make sure I wasn't somehow over. Thanks for the clarification!

You're fine.

Remember you can always check if your signature is within the limits in this thread.

 

[IncineROAR]

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I think its advisable to formalize rules around "abuse of the report system"

Thats my only comment/feedback.

 

[Enzap]

I'm not trying to start an argument, but I think its advisable to formalize rules around "abuse of the report system"

Thats my only comment/feedback.

In the past we've had problems of users not reporting things that are rulebreaking and instead taking them into their own hands, so we would rather encourage people to report if they feel that there is a legitimate problem.

That being said, just so everyone knows, abusing the report system refers to repeatedly reporting things that are either non-issues (such as posts that are not actually rule-breaking), issues that have already been addressed, or sending joke reports. These clutter our reports section and just makes things harder on us, so we will let you know if it is becoming a problem. The reason we are not implementing it into the actual rules is so we don't make people afraid that sending reports is somehow a bad thing or inconvenient to us.

So as a note of clarification to everyone, just be reasonable about your reports. We don't act on every report, but we always appreciate your involvement. If something strikes you as wrong, rude, or questionable, report it. If a user is just disagreeing with you, then take a step back and consider if they are personally attacking you or someone else. If not, it's probably not worth reporting and you should instead follow the steps outlined in this thread.

If anyone has any more questions about reports or any of our rules, please let us know!

 

[dig]

We have made a slight change to our Unreadable Post rule. it now stands as follows:

4. Don't use unreadable text (Unreadable Text) [3 points, 1 month]
- Post in English (except Japanese news or with moderator permission), do not use online translation.
- Use reasonable formatting: avoid paragraph-less long texts and all-caps posts, and use appropriate fonts.
- Don't use non-latin characters in usernames, signature text or profile fields.


-----
We have chosen to do this so as to encourage people not to use usernames that are in effect unsearchable and unmentionable, by virtue of most users needing to copy and paste a username that may difficult to type, such as usernames in Sanskrit, or Kanji to name a few. Users with usernames that contain such non-latin characters will not be asked to change their username if they've had it previous to this announcement.

From this point on, everyone must only use Latin characters in their username so as to not limit other users searching or mentioning of you.

Characters we allow:
lowercase a-z
uppercase A-Z
numbers
hyphens, underscores,
accented letters, such as é
punctuation such as !

Basically, if the character is on a QWERTY keyboard, it's fine.

 

[MassiveShock11]

Is my usertitle breaking the rules? It's basically a common Latin phrase, meaning "What you are, I was; what I am, you will be." Since it is a non-English language text, am I breaking the rules?

 

[Maniacal Engineer]

Is my usertitle breaking the rules? It's basically a common Latin phrase, meaning "What you are, I was; what I am, you will be." Since it is a non-English language text, am I breaking the rules?

Your usertitle is fine.

 

[Antiyonder]

What's the policy of bumping a thread? A good number of forums are fine with it as long as you have more to say that a mere sentence or singular word, while I have found some on occasion that are against it altogether?

 

[Enzap]

What's the policy of bumping a thread? A good number of forums are fine with it as long as you have more to say that a mere sentence or singular word, while I have found some on occasion that are against it altogether?

That's perfectly fine, as you said, as long as the post doesn't violate our other rules such as Irrelevant Posting. We don't have any time limits on threads, so if you're adding something new to the discussion it doesn't matter how long it's been. But if it's just a bump for the sake of getting your thread on the first page then you're probably better off finding a different thread to post in.

 

[Greninjaman]

Is double posting allowed? Like posting and then posting again in the same thread?

 

[noworry]

Is double posting allowed? Like posting and then posting again in the same thread?

Mostly yes, although some threads (like the games in Fun & Games) have their own rules because double posting ruins the point of the game.

 

[Greninjaman]

Mostly yes, although some threads (like the games in Fun & Games) have their own rules because double posting ruins the point of the game.

Is double posting allowed for fanfiction? I would assume so.

 

[Enzap]

Is double posting allowed for fanfiction? I would assume so.

Yes, any post that adds new, relevant content is fine no matter when you last posted.

 

[Zexy]

Hello, everyone. We're making a few changes to the rules effective immediately, which are pointed out below in bold italics:

0. Fundamentals
- When enforcing the rules, the spirit of the rules, not the technical wording, is what matters.
- The rules apply to all aspects of Bulbagarden Forums, including your profile, signature and any form of message or post you send, unless a rule states otherwise.
- Rules violation on other Bulbagarden projects (Bulbapedia, etc.) may result in warnings and bans on Bulbagarden Forums.
- Liking a rule-breaking post may be treated as breaking that same rule.
- In cases of repeated or severe rule-breaking, the staff may chose to use an aggravated warning, which will immediately result in a ban.

9. When debating with other users, be respectful of their views (Bad Sportsmanship) [5 points, 3 months]
- Address other people's points. Don't nitpick details, assume bad faith, or unreasonably misrepresent their views.
- Don't treat your opinions as an established fact, or claim to speak for other people or a group (including "the majority").
- Don't gloat when you feel you've proven a point or someone else has conceded a point. Being right does not give you bragging rights.
- Don't be dismissive of other's posts. This includes making posts to say "that's just your opinion" or similar.
- Don't abuse the report system. Please continue to report rule-breaking content, but do not target other users or try to get them in trouble by reporting posts you don't agree with.

12. Don't post offensive or oversexualized images (Inappropriate Content) [10 points, 4 months]
- Don't use pictures that focus on or draw attention to breasts, buttocks and/or crotches (even clothed) as avatars or in your signature.
- Don't use images of partially nude people (in lingerie, in underwear, etc.) as your avatar or signature.
- Don't use imagery associated with hate movements, ideologies or groups (Confederate States, Alt-Right, etc.) as avatars or in your signature.
- Outside of avatars and signatures, excessive or disrespectful use of such images may be considered Inappropriate Content or Abuse and Harassment.
- Don't link to websites that notoriously contain inappropriate content (e.g. 4Chan). Appropriate screenshots from these sites may be used instead.

As always, if anyone has any questions about the rules please feel free to ask in this thread.