On Neopets, users are permitted a maximum of five accounts. However, only one of these accounts can be used to generate Neopoints through games, daily activities, and other site features. This primary account is known as the "main account," while the remaining accounts are designated as "side accounts." The rules governing side accounts are complex and frequently evolve, requiring users to navigate specific restrictions regarding earning, spending, and accessing site content. Understanding these distinctions is vital for maintaining account standing and avoiding suspensions.
Defining Side Accounts and Main Accounts
A side account is defined as any Neopets account a user possesses that is not their designated main account. While users often refer to these as "alt," "holding," "lab," "foster," or "gallery" accounts, the official designation is simply "side." The fundamental rule is that only the main account may be used to earn Neopoints or acquire items through active participation on the site.
Since the introduction of NeoPass, the creation of new side accounts has changed. Users must now utilize NeoPass to create a new account. While NeoPass allows users to explicitly label which account is their main and which are sides, this label does not alter the accounts' functionality; it serves merely as an organizational tool. It is not mandatory to create the full allotment of five accounts; users may maintain fewer if they choose.
The Core Rule: Earning Neopoints
The primary restriction on side accounts is the prohibition of earning Neopoints. All Neopoints and items acquired through active participation—such as playing games, visiting dailies, or collecting freebies—must originate from the main account. Users are permitted to transfer Neopoints from their main to their side accounts to fund activities on those sides.
There is a distinction between "quests from random events" and "quests that you choose to do." Users are not allowed to accept random event quests on side accounts. However, deliberate quests, such as those from the Snow Faerie, are permitted on side accounts provided the user has transferred the necessary funds from their main account.
Accessing Dailies and Freebies
Visiting daily pages on side accounts is a common source of confusion. Generally, users should avoid visiting dailies on side accounts because they often award items or Neopoints. However, the Neopets team (TNT) acknowledges that mistakes happen.
According to editorial responses, if a user accidentally visits a daily or collects a freebie on a side account, it is generally not considered a punishable offense. The rules are designed to prevent abuse, not to punish minor human errors. For example, receiving a low-value item like the Obsidian Dagger from the Battledome or accidentally collecting a daily item is viewed as a mistake, provided it is not a habitual occurrence.
Conversely, visiting dailies repeatedly on side accounts to farm rewards is considered abuse and can lead to freezing. Specific dailies mentioned as prohibited for side accounts include: * Anchor Management: Visiting this page on a side account is prohibited. * Smugglers Cove: Users are blocked from this on side accounts. * Forbidden Shore: While unlocked via items transferred from a main account (like Lab Map pieces), using the Forbidden Shore on a side account is not allowed because it provides item rewards. * Money Tree: The rules regarding side accounts here are strict to prevent abuse of free items.
To help prevent accidental clicks, third-party tools exist. For instance, a user script called "Neopets - Side Account Protector" is available on GreasyFork. This script is designed to stop users from proceeding to non-side-account pages, covering various dailies and earning activities like games, the Advent Calendar, shops, and specific site events.
Purchasing and Spending on Side Accounts
While earning on side accounts is restricted, spending is permitted under specific conditions. Users may buy from user shops on a side account, provided they use Neopoints that have been legitimately transferred from their main account. However, purchasing from main Neopets shops (official NPC shops) on a side account is not allowed.
Restocking (buying items from shops to resell) is strictly limited to the main account. If a user is restock-banned or shopwiz-banned on their main, they are not permitted to use a side account to circumvent this ban. They must wait until the ban on their main account expires.
Pet and Account Management
Side accounts offer flexibility for pet management. It is perfectly acceptable to adopt Neopets from the pound onto a side account. Additionally, users are allowed to train their pets on side accounts. This includes using the training school and other related features.
Galleries are a popular feature, and users are allowed to create and maintain galleries on side accounts. However, the gallery must be funded by the main account. Users may also enter the Gallery Spotlight with a side account gallery.
Avatar Restrictions
Avatars have specific rules for side accounts. Generally, avatars obtained through random events or non-profit making activities (such as visiting a Neopet's lookup) are fine. Users can also send avatar-related items to side accounts to obtain item-specific avatars. However, avatars that require active participation—such as visiting dailies or playing games—may not be obtained on side accounts.
Events and Specific Activities
Certain site-wide events have unique restrictions to ensure fairness:
- Altador Cup: Participation in the Altador Cup is strictly limited to the main account. Because the event awards points that can be used to purchase items, users cannot compete on side accounts.
- Art Gallery: Submitting art to the Art Gallery is not permitted on side accounts.
- Almost Abandoned Attic: Restocking at the Almost Abandoned Attic is allowed on a side account only if that side account is aged and the main account is not. However, a user is only allowed to restock at the attic on one account total.
- Bank Interest: While users may open a bank account on a side account to store transferred Neopoints, they are not allowed to collect interest on side accounts.
- Tarla: Collecting prizes from Tarla's daily rotation is not allowed on side accounts.
Account Switching and Suspensions
Users are permitted to change which account they designate as their main. This must be done responsibly. However, if a user has been suspended on their main account, they are not allowed to use a side account as a replacement main account during the suspension period.
Summary of Prohibited Activities
To summarize the key prohibitions derived from the source material, users must avoid the following on side accounts: * Earning Neopoints through games or dailies. * Collecting interest at the bank. * Restocking in main shops or the Attic (with the specific exception noted). * Participating in the Altador Cup. * Entering the Art Gallery. * Collecting Tarla's prizes. * Visiting the Forbidden Shore. * Visiting Anchor Management or Smugglers Cove. * Using the Battledome (though accidental receipt of the daily weapon is not punishable).
Conclusion
Navigating Neopets side accounts requires a clear understanding of the separation between earning and holding activities. The core principle is that the main account serves as the sole engine for generating Neopoints and items, while side accounts function as repositories for transferred wealth, pets, and galleries. While the Neopets team demonstrates leniency toward minor, accidental infractions such as visiting a daily page out of habit, intentional exploitation of these rules to gain an economic advantage is strictly prohibited and monitored. Users should utilize tools like the Side Account Protector script if they find themselves prone to accidental clicks, and always ensure that financial activities on side accounts are funded exclusively by transfers from their main account.