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4.2 Player Communication
Social interaction plays a vital role in Tibia, and communication between players is very important. However, we must make sure that a certain language standard is maintained to make sure some players do not spoil the fun of others. Remember that insulting, racist, sexually related, drug-related, harassing or generally offensive statements are considered to be violations of the Tibia Rules. Also, since the various channels have been specifically designed for different purposes you should always use the right channel for the kind of message you want to post.4.2.1 How to Write Messages
To write messages simply enter the text you want your character to say in the entry line at the bottom of the console, then hit Return. There are a number of text functions that will help you to edit your messages: you can position the cursor in the line by using Shift+CursorLeft and Shift+CursorRight. To scroll up or down text you have previously written use Shift+CursorUp or Shift+CursorDown. Hitting the Home key will place the cursor at the beginning of a line, while End will position it at the end of the line.
a) Hotkeys and Action Buttons
If you find that you need to write a certain message or perform a certain action time and again, it is a good idea to assign it to a hotkey. This is especially useful for spells. To open the hotkey options dialog click on the Options menu button and select "Custom Hotkeys". Click on "New Action" to select whether you would like to assign a spell, an object or some text to a hotkey. If you have defined the new action, you still need to assign a hotkey to it by clicking on the little pen symbol. From now the action your have selected will take place whenever you press the hotkey. Your character will actually say a hotkey text as soon as you hit "Enter". You can also define a hotkey text to be sent automatically by ticking the little box at the bottom of the dialog.
Action buttons are another great way to quickly repeat identical messages, or generally to speed up the repeated performing of actions in the game. For a detailed explanation, please see the description in the sections on action bars.
b) Automatic Spam Control
Messaging in the local chat channel, all public channels and in private messages is limited to make sure that it is not possible to continually repeat identical, similar or nonsensical statements within a short period of time ("spamming"). This measure ensures the amount of text displayed in the game does not get out of hand. More precisely, all entries are monitored to make sure no player writes more than one line of text every 2.5 seconds for an extended period of time. Characters that repeatedly exceed this limit will be temporarily muted. During the time that your character is muted any text you enter will not be displayed, and a message in the game window will inform you that your character has been muted. Please note that it is not possible for muted characters to write private messages to other players or to cast spells. To prevent possible problems each player has a buffer of 4 lines of text which can be entered without any delay. This buffer will be reduced by one for every line that is entered, but it continually refills at a rate of 2.5 seconds until the maximum of 4 lines is reached. However, once the buffer has been emptied, i.e. as soon as 4 lines of text have been entered in rapid succession, it is a good idea to slow down because otherwise your character will be temporarily muted. The amount of time during which players are muted depends on how often they have exceeded the rate limit already. More precisely, characters will be muted for 5 seconds multiplied by the square number of times they have exceeded the limit in the last hours. Once the mute status has ended the buffer will be full again. The number of times the limit has been exceeded will be recorded by the server, so relogging a character will not help to reduce the mute punishment.
In addition to this spam control feature, there is also another limitation to prevent players from sending excessive amounts of private messages to many different players within short periods of time. If you send private messages to more than 20 different characters within 10 minutes, your character will be muted as described above.
Note: Players can still be banished for spamming if they purposefully avoid the automatic spam control to repeat identical, similar or nonsensical statements within a short period of time or use badly formatted text.
4.2.2 Channels
To handle communication in Tibia effectively it has been organised in channels. You can identify the various channels by the names on top of the tabs. To switch between channels click on the tabs or use the Tab key. If more channels are open than the console can actually display, a small arrow appears beside the name of the last visible channel. By clicking on the arrow, all channels are moved forward and the hidden ones are shown. If a new message is sent in a hidden channel, the arrow turns red.
To open up a new channel click on the button with the file card symbol in the top right hand corner of the console or hit the key combination Ctrl+O. You can select an open channel from the menu by left-clicking on it with the left mouse button. Alternatively, you can open a private message channel to another player by entering the character name in the little entry line at the bottom of the dialog. If you are finished with a channel, you can click on the "X" button on the console or press the key combination Ctrl+E to close it.
As you can see on the tab, communication usually takes place in the local chat channel. However, there are many more channels in Tibia which you should be aware of. Note that not all of the channels are open to the public, so you can switch to a private channel if you prefer to keep your conversations private. Also, keep in mind that characters on free accounts cannot yell or use the World Chat, the English Chat, and the Advertising channel until they have reached level 20. Members of the CipSoft team are also able to write eye-catching red text. Such messages are generally important, and you should always read them carefully.
- Local Chat Channel
Whenever you enter text in this channel your message will be displayed in the game window right above your character's head. All nearby characters, i.e. those who are visible on the game window will be able to read what you are saying.
It is possible to raise or lower your character's voice. To do so click on the little sound icon in the bottom left corner. The default setting is "say"
= normal loudness. By clicking on the respective selection buttons, you can alter the setting to "yell" 
, which means that your character's next statement will be heard over a great distance. Conversely, if you set your local chat to "whisper" 
, the next statement will be whispered, i.e. it will only be heard over a very short distance. Please note that your character's next statements will be automatically reset to the default setting "say", regardless of the client you are using.
Your character's loudness can also be modified by using shortcuts. These work in an identical manner on both client types: You can raise or lower your voice by pressing the hash key "#" as well as a letter that will specify the loudness of your character's statement in front of the text. Thus, "#w [Text]" will cause the following message to be whispered, while putting #y in front of the text will result in a yell and #s will make your character say the following text normally. Note that messages that are entered after #s, #y or #w are always posted in the local chat channel, regardless of which channel is open while it is entered. Also, keep in mind that there is a delay of 30 seconds on yelling, so characters cannot yell more than 2 messages per minute.
A final note: If you find that the game window is covered by too many statements, you can speed up the automatic removal of statements by using the key combination Alt+W. You can also use the Options menu to assign a key combination of your choice to the General Hotkey called "Clear Oldest Message". - Server Log Channel
In the server log channel, you will receive all kind of server messages. Among others, you can see here how much damage you take, how much damage you deal out or how much damage your summons cause, provided you have not disabled status messages in the console. Also, the loot of all monsters that you or members of your party have defeated is shown in this channel, unless you have opened the loot channel. Further, you receive information on raids, the tutorial hints, and all messages you get from looking at things. In addition, you can see the time of your last visit in the server log and will be informed if the server is going offline in the next few minutes for server save or an update.
Different from the other channels, you can only receive messages in this channel. If you try to say something in this channel, it will be automatically sent to the local chat channel and your message will be displayed in the game window right above your character's head.
Just like the local chat channel, the server log cannot be closed. However, just like every other channel, you can move it to the end if you prefer to see other channels instead. - Loot Channel
In this channel you can view the loot of all monsters that you or members of your party have defeated. If you have selected the corresponding function in the Options menu, your loot will be displayed with a coloured frame or a little coloured corner which helps you to quickly recognise the loot value of an item. The loot value of an item can be defined in the Items section of the Cyclopedia.
To open the channel, select it from the channel menu. If the loot channel is not open, all information displayed in this channel will be shown in the server log channel. Just like in the server log channel, you can only receive messages in this channel. If you try to say something in this channel, it will be automatically sent to the local chat channel and your message will be displayed in the game window right above your character's head. - NPC Channel
In this channel you can talk to an NPC that is standing near you. Simply greet an NPC either in the local chat or in the NPC channel with hi or hello, and the NPC channel will open up automatically. Continuing the conversation will only work in this channel.
Talking to NPCs is generally done by using key words. Sometimes key words are marked in a different colour, sometimes you have to use your imagination to find the right words. Typical key words include name, job, help or mission. If you are looking for new clothes, words like outfit or addon could be useful. You should always watch out for core phrases that will give you a hint on what to look for. However, make sure you do not use swear words when talking to a non-player character. Many of them are easily offended and they may punish you harshly if you insult them!
- World Chat Channel
The world chat is a channel that is open to all players. In general you can talk about all topics here as long as they are conform to the Tibia Rules. - English Chat Channel
This is a channel for all English-speaking players. Here you can talk about all topics as long as they are conform to the Tibia Rules, but you need to stick to English. For conversations in other languages, please use the World Chat. - Advertising Channel
Like its name says, this is a public channel that is reserved for ingame advertising. If your character has a vocation and there is something Tibia-related you would like to advertise, this is the channel to use. You can buy and sell items in this channel, but you can also use it to look for a team to fulfil a quest or for members to your guild. If you see something interesting there, you should send a private message to the posting character and work out the conditions.
Note: To avoid confusion the advertising channel features an extended message delay of 2 minutes, i.e. players cannot post more than one message per 2 minutes. Of course, it is not possible for characters to post messages in the advertising channel while they are muted. - Advertising-Rookgaard Channel
Since characters cannot travel from the main continent to Rookgaard or vice versa to trade with each other, there is a separate advertising channel for all characters on Rookgaard. All characters on Rookgaard can search or make offers in this channel. Just like in the advertising channel on main, you should message the posting character if you see an interesting offer here and negotiate the price. - Help Channel
The help channel is a public channel in which you can turn to other players for help if you have a question on topics such as the client controls, the use of accounts, the official website or on general game play. - Private Chat Channels
If you are a Premium player, you can open a private chat channel. You can invite any player you like to this channel. Simply right-click on characters or on their names on the VIP list or some other channel and select "Invite to private chat". Alternatively, you can right-click on the private chat channel tab. This will open up a different context menu which will give you an extended range of options. Apart from inviting players, you can also exclude players from your private chat channel by using this menu. To do so click on "Exclude player", then enter the character's name in the dialog. Finally, note that you can also invite or exclude players by entering a hash symbol "#" and a letter that specifies the action you want to take. Thus, "#i [Name]" will invite a player, while "#x [Name]" will exclude the character from your private chat channel.
Players who have been invited on a private chat channel will receive a message. They can join the channel by selecting it from their channel menus. Please note that private chat channels are always closed if the character that has opened it decides to close it or logs out. - Party Channels
In the party channel you can talk undisturbed with members of your party, e.g. to plan the tactics for your next fight. Whenever you enter a party, you are automatically invited to the party's channel. To join the channel, it must be selected from the channel menu. Whenever you leave a party or the party is disbanded, you are no longer able to use this channel. If you get reinvited to the party, you need to join the channel again. Only members of your party can join the same party channel like you. - Guild Channels
Finally, if you are a member of a guild, you will be able to enter a special channel that carries your guild's name. Although guild channels are private, the guild leader and vice leaders are able to invite also non-members to the guild channel. The guild leader and the vice leaders are easily recognised in the guild channel by their own font colour.
Further, leader and vice leaders have the option to create and edit guild messages which are displayed in the guild channel to every guild member upon login.
During a guild war, it will be displayed in the guild channels of the involved guilds whenever a guild has scored a kill along with the total of all kills reached in this war. Of course, also the end of a war and its outcome will be announced here.
If you prefer to have a private conversation with another player, you can open a private message channel provided you have already reached level 3. To do so simply open a context menu by right-clicking either on a character or on his name in the VIP list or in another channel. Now select "Message to [Name]" and click on the left mouse button. Once you have done that a private message channel will open. With the exception of you and the player you are writing to, no other player will be able to read messages you are writing in this channel, so this is a fine way to ensure privacy. You can identify private message channels by the character name on the tab. Also, a specific font colour is used. Messages in private channels are generally displayed in blue.
Private messages are by default displayed both in the console and the game window. If you wish for them to be displayed only in the console, you can choose to do so by removing the tick from the option "Show Private Messages in Game Window" in the "Messages" section of the Game Options.
Finally, please note that there is another way to contact players directly, though: enter the character's name and put an asterisk "*" both in front of and behind the name, then enter the message, i.e. "*[Name]* [Text]". Note that this will dispatch a single message only without opening a private message channel.
4.2.4 Ignore List
If you feel bothered by some other players' messages, you can ignore them by using the ignore list. To open the ignore list click on the "No Entry" symbol in the top right hand corner of the console. Alternatively, you can open the ignore list by using CTRL+I. Of course you can change this key combination via the General Hotkeys section of the Options menu. The corresponding action is fittingly called "Open Ignore List".
To add someone to your ignore list, click on "Add" and then enter their character name on the list on the left hand side. Alternatively, you can right-click on a character or on a character's message and select "Ignore [Name]". The character will then be directly added to this list. As long as the box "Activate Ignore List" is ticked, all further messages from characters in the ignore list will not be shown by your client until you remove them from your ignore list or until your client is closed. However, note that characters will always be un-ignored automatically upon the next login unless you specifically single them out of to be ignored permanently. To do so, tick the corresponding box at the bottom of the list. Characters that are ignored permanently are displayed in red. Finally, please keep in mind that players whose characters are entered on your ignore list will not know that they are currently being ignored! However, if a message has been filtered by the ignore list your "No Entry" symbol will flash shortly.
In addition to a list of characters, the ignore dialog also contains 2 extra functions. "Ignore Yelling" will blend out any yelled messages, while "Ignore Private Messages" will keep you from receiving private messages. To select either of these functions, simply tick the corresponding boxes. Finally, please keep in mind that you can disable and re-enable the settings for your ignore list anytime by removing or adding the tick in the box "Activate Ignore List."
4.2.5 Whitelist
The whitelist is placed on the right hand side of the ignore dialog. It allows you to single out characters from which you would like to receive messages, while messages from all other players are ignored. To put a character on your whitelist, click on "Add" and enter the name of the character from which you would like to receive messages. A character will stay on your whitelist until you remove him from the list or until you close your client. To permanently keep a player on your whitelist tick the box "Allow Permanently". The selected character's name will then be displayed in green.
Furthermore, the whitelist dialog offers the option to allow all members of your VIP List to message you by ticking the box "Allow VIPs to message you". Please note that this is not a permanent setting. The tick will be removed as soon as you close the client. Finally, note that you can disable and re-enable the settings for your whitelist anytime by removing or adding the tick in the box "Activate Whitelist."
4.2.6 VIP List
The VIP list is a powerful tool that will help you to find out which of your friends or enemies are online. To administer your contacts to fellow Tibians you can customise the VIP list just to your liking and manage it via the context menu in which you can choose from the following options:
- Edit [Name]: Selecting this option will open a dialog in which you can edit a character. Characters on the VIP list can be edited in one or more of the following ways:
- Select a type: Characters can be categorised by using this option. Select a graphical symbol in order to mark the selected name. The character will now be considered to belong to a special type of characters. If you sort characters by type, all characters marked with this symbol will be displayed together. Characters can only be marked with one symbol at a time.
- Enter a short description: It is also possible to comment on characters. Any text entered here will be saved. Note that you will have to select "Edit" again in order to read a description.
- Notify on login: If you tick this box, you will receive an automatic message whenever the selected character logs into the game.
- Member of the following groups: If you like to add a character to one or more groups, simply tick all desired groups.
- Remove [Name]: This option will remove a selected character from your VIP list.
- Message to [Name] (not available for offline characters): Selecting this option will open a private message channel to the selected character.
- Add New VIP: Select this option to add a new character to the VIP list. Note that characters can also be added to VIP lists by using the regular context menu. Simply right-click on a character and select "Add to VIP list."
- Add New Group: In addition to the 3 predefined groups: Enemies, Friends and Trading Partners, players can create up to 5 groups which they can use to sort characters from their VIP list."
- Sort: This option will allow you to organise the VIP list so that you can find out what you need to know at a glance. Character names can be arranged in three different ways:
- By Name: If this option is used, characters will be arranged in an alphabetical order.
- By Status: Selecting this option will cause the list to show characters according to their status: All characters on your VIP list who are currently online will be displayed on the top of the list, while all other characters on the list will be displayed in alphabetical order.
- By Type: To arrange characters according to their type select this option. Players can determine the type of a character on their VIP lists by editing the entry.
- Show Offline VIPs/Hide Offline VIPs: Use this option to show or hide characters that are currently online.
- Show Groups/Hide Groups: Use this option to show or hide groups. Note that only groups will be shown to which at least one character is assigned. Characters which are not assigned to a group, will be listed under "No Group."
- Report Name: If somebody in your VIP list has an illegal name, you can report the player using this option.
- Copy Name: By using this option you can copy the name of the selected character in order to use it elsewhere. To paste the selected name right-click on the entry field of your choice and select "Paste". Alternatively you can use the hotkey Ctrl+V to paste the name.
Note that characters displayed in violet are currently training with an exercise weapon, so it is likely that they are not playing actively.
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