Antagonist Guidelines
General guidelines
You're not expected to win, do not expect it, just have fun.
Plan to be a friendly antagonist after naturally spawning in? Let staff know by making an OpFor out of it through these guidelines or AHelp to see if the round suits it.
These are the guidelines all antagonists and ghost roles need to follow, if you are looking for the OpFor guidelines, please look here.
If you do not require a body mechanically, leave it alone if they died somewhere open, otherwise if you kill them somewhere they will not be recoverable from, you need to move them back to a safe position for the crew to recover.
Planning on round-removing (otherwise known as RR) someone? First check if they have RR set to 'On', then create a ticket asking permission from staff. You will not receive an objective to RR someone.
When you lose a fight, don't resort to being salty and insulting people in L/OOC or OOC.
Unlike other players, you are not entitled to getting AHealed by staff and it is at the discretion of the staff member on duty.
Your goal should never be the dismantling, destruction or mass murder of the entire station, unless otherwise stated by your natural goals or role.
The interlink and infi-dorms are protected from anything relating to antagonists, do not use it as a hideout or to complete your objectives.
When giving yourself custom objectives, make sure they are clear, specific that have a certain goal in mind, vague and wildcard objectives will not be tolerated.
Marooning someone does not mean you can murder them multiple times or RR them if their preferences are set to 'Off', if your target has RR set to 'Off' you can AHelp to have your target changed.
Using ERP as bait before killing someone is not allowed unless both parties consented through L/OOC.
False-flagging is not allowed, if you tell people you will be friendly, do not turn around and murder them for no reason.
If playing as a ghost role, do not deviate from your specific standards without making an AHelp.
Failure to follow any rule list above or below may lead to staff intervention and punishment.
Capture rules
Caught someone as an abductor? Already made some eggs as a spider? Follow these rules:
Roleplay (otherwise known as RP) will take priority over mechanics. If you want to RP with someone in any capacity during captivity and they agree, then you are entitled to RP it out. Valid-hunting or otherwise interrupting the scene is punishable.
If you require bodies mechanically, you can hold them up to 15 minutes without crew knowing their location, after which you no longer mechanically need the body and follow the general guidelines on holding bodies (although this is a loose rule and it may or may not be enforced depending on the scenario). Do not guard bodies from recovery, crew must be allowed to recover it or else it is counted as RR.
Got captured and it has been over 15 minutes and nobody is coming to get you? Make an AHelp and staff will look over the situation and decide on the next action.
Use common sense, roleplaying in the middle of a hallway as an antagonist will result in crew murdering you. Take it to somewhere private to avoid getting hunted by the crew.
Individual standards
Almost all antagonists have their own standards, read over them before letting yourself become one, otherwise you will get in trouble.
Abductor
Your goal as an abductor may depend on your objectives, here are some examples of objectives you may have:
Replace the organs of # crew.
Abduct and conduct experiments on # crew.
Steal the #.
As abductors, you are beholden to the capture rules, your goal should be to abduct, experiment and release. You can make an OpFor if you plan on being friendly as roleplaying is highly encouraged due to your private room. Your goal should never be to murder.
The nuclear family
Welcome to the big leagues! You have made it to the Syndicate, what now? You may have been selected to become a battlecruiser crew, captain, overwatch, nuclear operative or even a lone operative, but what now? Wait, what is that ticking noise coming from your backpack?
This is a very rare antagonists, with only the lone operative being naturally spawn-able, cherish this moment, follow your objectives carefully.
There is nothing holding you back, the rules on station integrity are thrown out, your end goal should be destruction of the station.
The blob
“Haha does anyone else smell that? Smells like… rancid gym socks and shame…”
The blob is a pure destruction antagonist whose goal is to reach critical mass in order to infest the entire station, the only rule is to inform your followers to not drag corpses, leave them where they fall, crew can work on getting them back.
Brainwashed & hypnotic victims
Either by fate or a lack of robustness you have ended up brainwashed or hypnotized by either aliens, traitors or other mechanics!
You are still beholden to the in-game rules and antagonist rules! You are not an antagonist but a subclass of one.
If someone breaks your sexual preferences with brainwashing or hypnotic objectives, please AHelp, this is not allowed.
Changeling (space or fallen)
Or: “How I preference break in one step by exploding my host mid-surgery”.
Do not erotically roleplay as the person you are disguising as without their explicit consent.
You are not allowed to destroy the brains of players.
You are not permitted to kill more than your assigned objective kill limit. If your objectives does not include killing ‘#’ number of crew or heads, do not kill, follow your objectives.
There will be times where you can't absorb more DNA without fully giving someone that good changeling suck. Doing it once to reset this is fine, as absorption does not RR or leave a player permanently husked. They will revive in around a minute as a changeling zombie.
Changeling zombie
Or: "I didn't have 'Be antagonist' turned on, so why am I one now?"
The above guidelines do apply, however there are some changes:
As you are not able to transform, erotic roleplay is fine. Just know people may not be willing to have relations with a corpse.
You're a mindless beast now. Attack, kill, and cause chaos to your heart's content until you yourself die again. Try to keep decapitations to a minimum. Aim for the chest or limbs, we understand that random decapitations can happen, but don't make a show of it by going specifically for decapitations when someone is already dead!
Clown operatives
You already know what you’re doing, do the thing, I believe in you.
Cultists
“I swear to god if you make another sex cult again I’m going to lose my shit” - Tibbets.
Do not destroy the brains of those you sacrifice, return them to medical or leave them in an obvious place for medical staff to recover.
Do not summon Nar’Sie, it will completely destroy the station.
Heretics
“What’s the difference between this and cultists?”
As a heretic, you have the potential to be anything from a stealthy thief, all the way to a station ending threat. As such, the rulings for heretic will be more or less common sense.
Do not kill individuals who are not sacrifice targets, outside of self-defense.
Avoid unreasonable amounts of station destruction. Try to avoid destroying the dorms, or excessively spacing the station.
If your sacrificial target is not on the station, AHelp it, staff can assign you a new sacrifice target. There is a ritual deeper into the tree that will let you reroll your own targets.
Malfunctioning AI
“RD!!! CARD THE AI AND FRY IT IN A DEEPFRIER PLEASE!!!”
Do not plasma flood or toss anyone into the SM just because you can.
Coordinate with your cyborgs to ensure you only kill who you are required to and avoid RR, you are still beholden to your regular laws.
Paradox clone
“I can’t self incest myself if they’re trying to kill me.“
Do not dust your clone. If you successfully assimilate your target, do not ERP as them.
Revolutionary
“VIVA LA REVOLUTION!” - Some French person.
A successful revolt does not mean you should avoid taking P.O.W's, try reviving those that are downed to ransom back to Central Command.
Do not RR people and adhere to capture rules.
Wizards
“AAAAAAAAVADAKAAADABRAAAAAAAAAA”
If you plan on using the grand rune, let staff know and don't RR someone, some spells can completely remove someone.
If you are a wizard from a dice-roll, you are considered friendly automatically, the moment you use magic against the station or start using runes you become an antagonist.
You are highly unlikely to be a wizard antagonist, follow your objectives and avoid deviation.
Spiders
“Just request nuke codes tbh”
Do not RR someone by dragging them away from crew, if they are downed leave them there.
The broodmother is allowed to web players, during which, players are allowed to contact staff via an AHelp to return.
Cyber police
Go as hard as you want, there isn't anything you can do outside bit runner domains or VR.
Make sure to check players preferences and get L/OOC permission before engaging in ERP with them.
Regal rat
If you do not have a swarm of rats, you are allowed to be friendly, on the same note players are not allowed to valid hunt you without the rat swarm.
Go crazy with chewing cables, engineers could always do with more headaches, but doing so too much or in important areas may trigger a lethal response.
Cortical borer
Follow your objectives, do not deviate.
You are allowed to be friendly towards your host, but you cannot false flag without a valid reason, such as your host trying to kill you.
Xenomorph
“Oh hey an alien plus–MFFFMHFH”
This is an uncommon antagonist, make sure to follow antagonist standards carefully.
Be conservative about capturing and chest bursting players, avoid going above 5 xenomorphs.
The codebase heavily favors xenomorphs, avoid curb stomping the station an hour into the shift.
Clock cultists
“Idk man, the chapel looks WAY cooler now.”
You are allowed to be a friendly clock cultist, but you can only pick one area to convert.
Hostile clock cultists are allowed to spread through the station, do not false flag to get a head start.
Constructs: Stay within your designated areas if the cultists are friendly and follow standard antagonist guidelines.
Space ninja
“I’m pretty sure there’s something offensive about this… just can’t put my finger on it...”
Stick closely to your objectives, do not deviate.
Spy
“No one uses newspaper to hide anymore these days… too cliche.”
You know what you need to do, you are a spy, here to commit tax fraud, steal shit and commit corporate espionage.
You are not a traitor, do not go around killing everyone.
Traitor
“How the fuck do I gain telecrystals?”
Adhere to your objectives, doing whatever you need otherwise within reason to complete them.
Do not target other antagonists without a reason that works in your favor, not because security asked, do not make your custom objectives to target other antagonists without making an AHelp.
You can work with other traitors, or alone. You have the pass code system which can be used to find other traitors.
Nightmare
“CE here. I’m cryoing for the shift.”
Follow your objectives, do not deviate.
Voidwalker
Or: ‘How Xenobiology became Five Nights at Nanotrasen.’
Don't bully xenobiology.
Your goal is not to space the station.
Pirates
“YARR HARR FIDDLE-DEE-DEE, BEING A PIRATE IS ALRIGHT TO MEE!”
Follow your objectives, do not deviate.
You are allowed to be friendly, but you must be creative with the reasoning, while making it clear to the station that you do not want to cause harm, this will protect you from valid hunting unless they have a good reason and allow you to roleplay.
Do not park the shuttle in arrivals, cargo or departures.
Do not false flag, if you plan on being friendly, then you are locked into roleplaying with the crew, unless the crew decide to attack you first.
Obsession
“This could go very wrong, very fast…” – SPLURT Admin
Follow your objectives, do not deviate.
If you are uncomfortable with your obsession target, make an AHelp for staff to swap your target, not only that but you must respect other players preferences, watch for L/OOC chatter and respect non-con preferences.
Space dragon
“CHEF TO SECURITY.”
Follow your objectives, do not deviate.
Ghost roles
Persistence
“Please for the love of god stop throwing ash walkers in the lava. -Kate”
Follow your role's job properly, you are still expected to fulfill your duties.
Do not interact with Nanotrasen personnel, unless undercover, as your cover is crucial to the mission, do not break this cover. You are there to act as a listening post, your cover is that of a mining crawler, you have the facilities and abilities to complete your mission and survive in isolation for the missions duration.
If you are reviving dead miners, as an act of good faith, make sure they find themselves outside the crawler before waking up, if they wake up earlier, you are free to provide supplies in good faith to help them survive before sending them on their way.
You may interact with miners if it keeps your cover, such as going out to gather mining materials. If you spot one whilst out and about, you are free to speak to them in passing, just try not to spend too much time interacting with opposing forces or the locals.
You are legitimate in the eyes of Nanotrasen, as the crawler is a cover for the syndicates under the guise of Cybersun's mining corporation 'Exagon-Ichikawa', if anyone asks, that is who you are working for, although you are free to be more vague and just mention you are a Cybersun mining crawler.
Do not abandon the Persistence without a valid reason, such as Nanotrasen threating to put the crawler under complete subjugation and you have activated the self-destruct.
Interacting with Port Tarkon is allowed under the guise of trading since you are a mining crawler.
You are a listening outpost, do not support antagonists in assaulting Nanotrasen or their property.
Common sense is required whilst playing Persistence, maintain your listening post whilst keeping tabs on Nanotrasen communications and monitoring their situation, do not go against this. If you have hostages it is expected that they will need to be occasionally checked on, they are players as well who joined to roleplay, get creative with them.
Putting stuff up for sale on the black market is fine, just do not abuse it, sell your round start stuff, actual equipment you need or supplies you cannot get again.
Do not use Nanotrasen communications, you have a dedicated communication channel for all Persistence members, use it (:w). The only time the Persistence should be communicating publicly with the station is to broker a deal to keep the operation intact and that should be done by the Admiral or liaison.
Do not go destroying pursue the removal of ghost roles, you may defend yourself, but that is it.
Port Tarkon
“Why are we still here? Just to suffer?”
You are free to trade and research to your hearts content, but you are not allowed to leave your location unless scavenging or evacuating due to absolute necessity.
Port Tarkon is a neutral faction, you are free to interact with Nanotrasen and Syndicates, visitors are allowed but should be heavily scrutinized and are not under protection under Nanotrasen space law but the law of your port.
Do not go on a murder spree, play your characters logically as you are a port of traders and scientists, if someone steals from you, arresting them would be the first choice, if you are attacked, defending yourself is allowed.
Charlie Station
“When will we get to go home? - Charlie station scientist”
Your goal is to survive with the others, repair the station and if possible contacting Nanotrasen.
Remember, you are still apart of Nanotrasen, that means their enemies are your enemies, defend yourselves and those who have yet to wake up in their cryo pods.
The cryo pods have nobody else to defend them, you are their last hope, give them a fighting chance by defending them at all costs.
Ash walkers
“Keep away from our mosssst ssssacred plasssse! - Unknown ash walker guardian.”
You are a native to lavaland, a tribe with little knowledge of space or the creatures that inhabit it, roleplay it as such.
Tribal rituals are important for ash walkers, along with the legion temple as your people use this land as its home and was made by your culture and the drakes protect it, revere them as such.
Relations with others are neutral, you can be either hostile to outsiders or not, if you chose to go towards violence, follow proper escalation and make sure all other ash walkers know about this. Be careful when finding outsiders, they may be hostile towards you as well, be wary of them.
Do not go onto the station, you are a tribe with little knowledge of technology, the big mechanical thing in the sky is scary. The mining outpost is fine, but the shuttle is too advanced for your mind to comprehend.
Hermits
“Aw shit.. Here we go again. - Man lost in space.”
Nobody is coming to get you, your ship crashed and now you are all alone.
Don't go crazy out there, any company is welcome company, even a pet rock or ball.
Watch out for fauna, they are most likely out to get you, fix up a place for you to comfortable reside in whilst keeping yourself armed.
If someone shows up and offers you the chance at rescue, you can accept it, but you are not forced to, if you want you can live out the rest of your life in your little shack, you are allowed.
Ghost café
“Well…. This is quaint.. - Visitor D-9341”
Pretty simple, you are either staff or a patron, avoid antagonist stuff here, anything weird like invading the station or going on a killing spree, this role is meant for people to relax away from the station with zero contact.
