1. Language
1.1. We don't have a language ban here, but we don't tolerate offensive language. This means if you use language to offend someone, you're breaking the rule. Don't use language in a way that could be considered offensive. Generally speaking, we don't allow words or phrases that most people would consider to be offensive, please humor us!
1.2. Offensive language includes racist words or remarks, words offensive to generally recognized religions.
1.3. Most importantly, each Administrator makes the call on what words or phrases are considered offensive. The words may be personally offensive to the Administrator, or he or she may just be enforcing the rules to the standards as laid out here. You will see a small amount of inconsistency from one Administrator to the next. That's why we give warnings for all but the most offensive language!
1.4. Use of ALL CAPS (all uppercase letters) is reserved for Administrators.
1.5. Disrupting in-game (or team or vehicle) chat (for example by scrolling it quickly) is not allowed.
1.8. All of the language rules apply to your player name. If an Admin asks you to change your name, you may do that by leaving the game and selecting the Profile item from the main game menu.
1.9. Do not use the names of terrorist or hate organizations in your player name.
1.10. Only English should be used in our servers. This is so that we can enforce language and behavior rules.
2. Behavior
2.1. We encourage good sportsmanship on our servers. Play nice! Show respect to all players, including your hosts.
2.2. We welcome all levels of players. Do not insult players for their lack of ability.
2.3. Do not crouch over a corpse. This is considered insulting behavior, and is grounds for an instant ban.
2.4. We generally appreciate it when a player respectfully points out when others are breaking the rules.
2.5. Please understand that we have to witness an infraction before acting on it. That's our policy, even with players who we know and respect and have raced with for months or years.
2.6. Admins will often, and sometimes without warning, stop racing to investigate rule breaking. Also, if someone is breaking rules while in a hog and we need to find out their name, we will need to flip that hog so that their name becomes visible. We will do this even if they are on our own team.
3. Automation and hacks
3.1. Only HogSquad Admins can use macros to post rules, warnings, and HogSquad information. (Macro programs allow text to be keyed in automatically).
3.2. Any use of software or hacks to modify standard Halo game play is not allowed. Note: Administrators will, from time-to-time, use a "fly cam" program to observe player behavior. It does not benefit, nor would it be used to benefit, the administrator's score.
3.3. Use of glitches is disallowed. A glitch is a bug in Halo that may allow you to achieve something that is obviously not part of the design. For example, a glitch might allow a player to rapidly move from one part of the map to another.
4. Supporting your team
4.1. Do not throw a grenade or launch a rocket at your own team members or at an empty hog near your team members, unless an enemy is even closer to that hog. For example, you may not use a grenade or rocket to:
•Get a teammate's attention.
•Attempt to get yourself a position in a hog.
•Get back at a teammate for breaking a rule. Instead, let an administrator know of the infraction.
4.2. It might happen that you accidentally grenade or rocket your own team. However, if an admin believes that it was intentional, the rule will still come into play.
Tip: It helps your case if you text a quick "sorry" to your teammate, and provide a quick non-argumentative explanation if asked.
4.3. You may fire a non-explosive weapon at a teammate to get his or her attention, for example, to request a ride. A brief burst or shot is preferred for this purpose. Remember that firing a long burst (two seconds or more) at your teammate can temporarily blind him or her.
4.4. Do not insist on taking a particular role in a vehicle. If there is only one hog remaining and one or two positions are already occupied, you must take an unoccupied position.
Tip: You may then wait for a safe moment to use vehicle chat (H) to respectfully ask if a player wants to switch, but do not debate with your teammate. He or she was there first.
4.5. Similarly, if a hog flips, and the hog is not under attack, the players who were in the hog should attempt to return to the hog in the same positions they were in.
5. Race: General
5.1. Keep racing at all times, progressing to your next flag, except where specified otherwise in the Race rules.
5.2. If you are on foot and there is an empty hog available, you must race with it, unless a friendly hog is waiting or approaching to pick you up.
5.3. You may not exit a hog anywhere to race on foot, even if you are unable to drive part of the route. A key example is up the ramp to the second flag (first cliff) of Sidewinder.
Tip: Learn to drive the ramp! Make sure your starting approach is in line with the first leg of the ramp. Now try full speed, slightly cutting the corner (it's OK if one wheel is off the ramp). Slow for the bridge. Still having problems? Try it very slow. Keep trying until a teammate's hog comes by, then get in and observe his or her technique!
5.4. If there is a hog available do not chase after another hog that is no longer visible. •On Sidewinder while on foot, do not follow an enemy hog into base when there are hogs available outside the base.
•On Gephyrophobia while on foot, do not follow an enemy hog into base or to the lower level when there are hogs available outside the base.
5.5. When there are no hogs available, you must race on foot. However, once you arrive at the next base, you must check for hogs before proceeding on foot. •On Sidewinder, if you cannot find a hog at a base, you may proceed through the teleporters to the other base and back to the first base before checking again for a spawned hog. On Danger Canyon, if you spawn at a base with no hogs you may proceed on foot through the tunnels and exit at the place that has your next flag. You may only exit the tunnels at the exit that is closest to your next flag (except where you need to briefly exit and re-enter to proceed to your flag). If your next flag is in the middle, you may proceed there and jump or teleport down to get your flag. Also, you may not nade or fire up at vehicles passing over the flag (see rule 6.5). While in the tunnels you may pick up a rocket launcher only if it is enroute to your next flag. However, you may not fire down from above or while jumping down (see rule 6.3).
•On Ice Fields, when you respawn you may use the teleporter to proceed to your next flag only if there are no hogs at base. The only exception is if you were in a hog in the lower middle area and were killed. In that case, upon respawning you may proceed through a teleporter to retrieve your hog, even if there are hogs at base. On Infinity, you may go back and forth to either side of the large structure at red base to check for hogs until one appears (or until a team mate picks you up, or you are able to hijack an enemy hog). You may also do the same at the back of the large structure, using team chat ("Y") to ask for pickup. Don't wait in the near vicinity of the flag—that is camping.
5.6. You must race directly and continuously through the flags even if you are on foot. The one exception to this rule is the "Last Lap Defense" rule.
5.7. You may not use the bridges on Infinity.
5.8. You may purposefully commit suicide, but only if your next flag is at the other base. However, keep in mind that this is rarely your best strategy.
5.9. You may stop to pick up a gunner or passenger, and in fact are encouraged to do so as it will often help your team score.
5.10. You are allowed to change your route to avoid getting killed. •In Danger Canyon you may drive through the tunnels to get to your next flag.