Ban / Kick / Warn Procedures
Chapter 14 — When to use each Discord moderation action, documentation requirements, and escalation.
Discord moderation actions map to a similar escalation logic as in-game punishments, but the tools and context differ slightly. This chapter clarifies when to use each action.
When to Use Each
| Action | Use When |
|---|---|
| Warn | First or minor rule break; the member needs a clear, logged notice without losing access |
| Timeout / Mute | Repeated minor issues, or a single incident serious enough to need a cooldown (e.g. an argument getting heated) |
| Kick | A member needs to be removed from the server but doesn't warrant being barred from rejoining (e.g. wrong server, honest accidental violation with no ill intent) |
| Ban | Serious or repeated violations, raid participation, hate speech, doxxing, or any Discord ToS violation |
Documentation Requirement
Every action — even a warning — should be logged with the member's name/ID, the reason, the channel or context it happened in, and any supporting evidence (screenshot of the offending message). Discord message IDs and timestamps are useful for verifying context later if a member disputes what happened.
Escalation Judgement
Use the same principle as the in-game punishment scale (Chapter 5): first offenses generally warrant a warning unless the behavior is severe enough to justify skipping straight to a ban (hate speech, doxxing, raid participation, or anything illegal). When unsure whether to escalate, ask in the staff channel rather than guessing.
Quick Review — Q&A
Q: When is a kick more appropriate than a ban?
A: When the member needs to be removed but doesn't warrant being barred from rejoining — e.g. an honest accidental violation with no ill intent.
Q: What should be logged for every Discord moderation action, including a simple warning?
A: The member's name/ID, the reason, the context/channel, and supporting evidence such as a screenshot.
Q: What kinds of first offenses justify skipping straight to a ban instead of a warning?
A: Severe violations like hate speech, doxxing, or raid participation.