F
Federal SMP
Minecraft Moderation

Server Rules & Punishment Scale

Chapter 5 — The punishment scale for all server rule violations, from warnings to permanent bans.

Consistency is what makes punishment feel fair. Two staff members handling the same offense should reach the same outcome. Learn this scale until it is second nature — players will notice, and respect, when the rules apply evenly to everyone.

Rule1st Offense2nd Offense3rd Offense / Severe
Chat: Spam / caps / advertisingWarnMute (1h–6h)Mute (24h+) / Kick
Chat: Harassment / targeted insultsMute (6h–24h)Mute (48h+)Temp ban (3–7 days)
Chat: Hate speech / slursTemp ban (7 days)Temp ban (30 days)Permanent ban
Griefing (minor, reversible)Warn + rollbackTemp ban (3 days) + rollbackTemp ban (14–30 days)
Griefing (major / spawn or claimed builds)Temp ban (7–14 days) + rollbackTemp ban (30 days)Permanent ban
Stealing from unprotected claimsWarn + restitutionTemp ban (3 days) + restitutionTemp ban (14 days)
Scamming another player (trades/economy)Temp ban (7 days) + restitutionTemp ban (30 days)Permanent ban
Confirmed cheat client usePermanent banN/A — first confirmed offense is permanent
Ban evasion (alt accounts)Permanent ban on all associated accountsN/A
Staff impersonationTemp ban (14 days)Permanent ban

This scale is a guide, not a rigid formula. Context matters: a first-time new player mildly breaking a chat rule out of ignorance is different from a repeat offender testing boundaries. Use judgement, but never punish more harshly than the scale allows without an Admin's sign-off, and never punish more leniently for someone you like.

GOLDEN RULE

When unsure which category an offense falls into, or the punishment feels disproportionate either way, ask in the staff channel before acting. It is always better to take two extra minutes than to issue a punishment that has to be reversed.


Quick Review — Q&A

Q: What is the standard first-offense punishment for a confirmed cheat client?

A: A permanent ban — cheating does not follow the graduated first/second/third offense scale.

Q: A returning player breaks a minor chat rule for the first time out of ignorance. What should guide your response?

A: The scale still applies as a baseline (a warning), but context and judgement matter — explain the rule clearly rather than escalating unnecessarily.

Q: Can you issue a harsher punishment than the scale allows because you personally find an offense especially annoying?

A: No. Punishments beyond the standard scale require an Admin's sign-off to keep enforcement consistent across the team.

Q: What happens to alt accounts used to evade a ban?

A: All associated accounts receive a permanent ban.

On this page