The Rules of the Forums

Hello, new players, and welcome, returning ones, to the Pokemon League! Here, we try to foster a competitive, yet friendly, environment for Pokemon fans, strategists, and breeders to show off their skills. However, as with any large group, a set of rules must be established in order to keep the atmosphere stable and safe from trouble. I advise that all new players read these rules and obey them. If you frequently break the rules, an admin or moderator has the full power to apprehend you.

1. Spamming- Spamming is one of the most annoying things in a forum. It clutters, distracts, and annoys all the other members. Spamming increases post counts easily and cheaply. Repeated spamming is a punishable offense. Here are some examples of spamming-
A. Double Posting- Double posting is posting twice in a row. It is spam. We have an edit button available. Should you have a thought after posting, take the time to go back and edit, instead of double posting.
B. One-Word Posting- Posting extremely short posts is spam. Forums are for thoughtful discussions, not pointless remarks like "yep", "uh huh" and "lol". If you want to speak like this, use the chatbox, please.
C. Advertising- Do not post an advertisement. It's pointless. If you want to advertise, do it in your sig.
D. Topic Revival- A topic is dead if has collected dust for a week and has no reason to be revived. Clubs, Miniteams, and some Games can be revived. Others usually are not allowed. Pay attention to the post dates, and do not revive old topics. It clutters the newer, more active topics.
E. Smily Abuse- Smilies are fun to use once or twice in a post. That's why they're there. But a post FILLED with smilies isn't fun, it's annoying and pointless. Put a limit on the amount of smilies you use.
F. Mass Thread Production- If you make a thread or topic, try not to make too many other threads or topics. It floods the thread list and is spam.
G. Random Post- If you post something that is completely off-topic, it is spam. Please refrain from it.

2. Derogatory Treatment- We at the Pokemon League have zero tolerance for anyone who is disrespectful enough to insult other members. This includes flaming, insulting, and disrespectful criticism. Comments to anyone's race, gender, or ability that the recipient finds insulting is strictly prohibited. This applies to the forums and the chatbox.
Note: Truthful criticism is different from pointless, insulting criticism. Criticism may be harsh, but if it makes a good point, then it follows the rules. Take for example these two:
A. Your Charizard sucks. Your strategies suck. This team is a train wreck. Do you know anything?
B. Your Charizard isn't really that good for *so and so* reason. I can see what you are getting at, but this team just is not that good for *so and so* reason. For example, this is bad because *so and so*. Might I suggest *so and so*?

Comment A is insulting and pointless, and offers no help.
Comment B is truthful and gives reasons to back itself up. This is good.

3. Inappropriate Content- Pokemon is aimed at a young audience. Therefore, a lot of our members are young aged. Therefore, the Pokemon League Staff frowns upon any age-innaproprate material. The following fall under this category-
A. Profanity- We have a filter on the forums, but there are so many ways to bypass it. Please do not use profanity.
B. Inappropriate Pictures- Rather self-explanatory, don't you think?
C. Non-Profane Comments- Just because you don't swear doesn't make material clean.
Abusers of this rule will be more harshly handled than others.

4. Straying Off-Topic- It's OK to stray off the topic of discourse once in a while to an extent. If the discussion turns sharply, then something's wrong. A moderator or admin will try to straighten the topic, or lock it if it gets out of hand.

5. Misplacement of Threads- If you put the wrong thread in the wrong forum- say, a trading thread in the General Pokemon discussion- it will be moved by an admin or moderator. This is a minor offense, and won't become a concern unless the person does this constantly.

6. Real World Information- Here at the Pokemon League, we want to create a friendly, safe environment. Therefore, it is against the rules to persist for someone's personal information. If you ask once, it is up to the other person/party as to whether they want to disclose the information, but if you persist, you are committing a punishable offense.
If someone asks for your personal information, think twice before handing it out. You never know what might happen.

We want you to have fun at the Pokemon League. But, we also want you to feel safe and secure. That is the purpose of rules and regulations.

Have fun!
-The Pokemon League Staff