SmashWiki:Sockpuppets

In general, SmashWiki expects that each user have exactly one account. If a user has one or more alternate accounts - known as sockpuppets - then then said alternate accounts should generally be given infinite blocks or simply merged into the main account. That said, there are some valid uses for sockpuppets, which are outlined below.

Unacceptable uses of sockpuppets

These sockpuppet usages are the primary reasons why having multiple accounts is banned in general.

• Evading a block on one's primary account. This is by far the most common purpose of sockpuppeting, and often results in an infinite block for the puppet and a block extension for the primary account.
• Voting for something multiple times, such as a new policy proposal, or a fight in the Smash Arena.
• Acting as a "foil" with the intention of making the primary account look better. For example, a user creates a sock and vandalizes an article. Later, the same user's main account reverts it and supplies a talk page warning. Repeated multiple times this can inflate the perception of the user's main account and act as artificial clout in requests for rollback and the like.

Legitimate uses of sockpuppets

There are legitimate reasons for a user to have multiple accounts. In all cases, it should be made obvious on the users' pages and/or talk pages that the accounts are related.

• Operating a bot. Note that this is subject to its own rules.
• Forgotten password on original account. Generally, Special:PasswordReset is far more recommended, but if it is somehow not possible to have the new password e-mailed to you then this is a valid option. Note that this is a case where account merging may be applied.