Time for another one of those threads where I write a wall of text, four people read it, we have a short discussion, and then it's forgotten about. Of course, this will also be linked in the rules thread so people can find it when they need it.

We’re making a cheating thread because it is becoming the most commonly broken rule, and we need a very clear and detailed definition for it. The goal of this thread is to provide transparency and consistency when cheating occurs and to provide a platform for discussion specifically regarding cheating.

What is cheating?

Cheating is giving yourself or others an unfair advantage or disadvantage in a game. The trickiness in defining cheating is that there is not a clear line dividing what advantages are fair and unfair. At the end of the day, the host of a game gets to decide what is and isn’t cheating. However, as you can see below, we have a big list of what is and isn’t typically considered cheating.

Note that we have two lists below for what is and isn't considered cheating. Some things are not listed in either list because they fall into a gray area where it's not totally clear whether or not it should be considered cheating. In these cases, it's still the responsibility of the player to ask the host for permission.

Cheating:

If you’re do anything on this list without explicit permission from the host, then it will be considered cheating. You have to get permission every game, even if a host usually says something is ok.

Hosts - if you decide to allow something on this list, make sure it's publicly announced. Preferably at the start of the game. And when you say something won't be considered cheating, make sure it's public information. Don't just whisper it to one person. That's entering rigging territory.

• Giving information or advice from outside the game (whether you're in the graveyard or never were in the game in the first place) to a player still in the game
• Account-swapping or sharing - unless it’s for the entire game, and you announce it to everyone ahead of time
• Using multiple accounts in the same game
• Using graveyard vision in any way
• Rereading prior games after a remake
• Screenshotting whispers and using those screenshots in the game
• Using scripts or programs for challenges
• Helping someone else cheat or willingly participating in cheating with someone else
• Pretending that you have cheated, or pretending/threatening to cheat
• Assisting other players in a non-alliance-based challenge

Not Cheating:

For these, players do not have to ask the host for permission. However, the host still has the right to say something on this list (or anything else within reason) will be considered cheating.

• Using web searches to figure out answers for challenges
• Using images with conversion keys to make challenges such as Symbol Math and Presentation easier
• Writing anything on a digital or physical notepad
• Using other communication software, such as Skype or Chatzy, to talk about strategy with other players who are still in the game during the game - this includes voice chat
• Talking to people outside the game about unrelated topics
• Copying and pasting whispers