When I was a teenager and started playing Worms Armageddon online, the first thing that caught my attention was "Ropers." They frequently played Ropers, TTRR, and Warmers, and I was always impressed by how fast their rope movements and taps were. Their speed seemed unnatural to me, and I noticed that many players displayed similar skills. Back then, I wondered if it was possible for me to reach such a phenomenal level of rope skill. Over time, I did develop some dexterity, and in my mind, I felt I was on the right path to becoming a pro.
Eventually, I decided to leave Worms behind and focus on my life. I was away for over ten years and returned to WA in 2015. I saw many skilled ropers, but the "super fast tap" ropers were less common. Their speed still seemed unnatural, yet impressive. However, something about these extremely fast ropers bothered me, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I hesitated to call them out because many of them were highly respected. Additionally, I preferred to avoid confrontation—besides, they weren't harming anyone. Still, I had a lingering suspicion that some might be using something to gain an advantage. Not all of them had super fast taps, though.
In the past, people often told me that a mechanical keyboard was the key to improvement. They weren't wrong. Eventually, I got myself a mechanical keyboard, and my roping skills noticeably improved. As time passed, I upgraded to a monitor with a faster response time and a higher refresh rate. I also increased my resolution to 1080p and disabled both V-Sync options. My roping dexterity dramatically improved, and I even experimented with different keyboards. However, despite these enhancements, achieving super fast taps remained impossible. I could occasionally pull off a finger roll, but not consistently. Ironically, some lesser-experienced players accused me of cheating.
As time went on, I learned that some players used scripts to enhance their roping skills, essentially taking their gameplay to another level. As I understood it, these scripts performed the roping for them. At first, I didn't want to make a fuss about it, but it made me reflect on everything I had seen back in 2015 and the mid-2000s. How many players had used such tools to gain an unfair advantage? Players who had received years—if not decades—of praise and accolades? Were the legacies of renowned ropers and even ground players built on a false foundation? Maybe this topic is considered taboo, or perhaps I simply reached my limit and could never attain such roping skills myself.
So why am I writing about this now? A recent event in our community—where a member was allegedly caught cheating on TUS (to my understanding)—got me thinking. How many players in the past might have used tools to gain an advantage? Many of them aren't even around anymore, which could explain why we see less of that extreme roping today. Of course, a valid counterpoint to this would be: "It's because there's less interest in roping."
With that said, let me be clear: I do not condone the use of such tools, even if they break barriers to a new level of experience. I have a moral compass that values fairness, fun, and a just game for everyone. That said, I know this may sound contradictory, but I personally don't mind if people use tool-assisted scripts in my rope race games. My rope skills can still hold their own, and even if I lose, it doesn't bother me much. However, I fully understand why others take issue with this, and I sympathize with them. It robs them of a fair and just game. The element of fun disappears when a player is faced with an opponent whose seemingly unachievable skills make the game feel hopeless.
Recently, someone on WormNET became more open about their reliance on a rope tool and confessed to a few players, who did not take it lightly—despite having shared countless hours of fun together. I don't believe canceling or shunning someone is the right approach, but I do understand why people react that way. It challenges their morals and their sense of fair play. At the end of the day, for me, it's all about fun, but for others, fun means fair competition. Ultimately, I think scripts should not be allowed in WA, but perhaps that's wishful thinking.
I know of both a cheater and a legitimate player whose roping skills appear nearly identical. I discussed these two with a friend who has played alongside them. I asked, "Which of the two looks legit to you?" My friend couldn't believe that either of them cheated. However, when I insisted that one did, he hesitantly guessed, "It's the cheater." His reaction was interesting—he simply couldn't believe it. Furthermore, he remarked that it was unnecessary for the cheater to use scripts because he was already good.
Of course, people who cheat and rely on it tend to lack a stable moral compass and ethics—though I could be wrong. If someone is okay with cheating in WA, what's stopping them from doing the same elsewhere? It speaks volumes about the kind of person they are. It also astonishes me how cheaters can rationalize their act of cheating and justify why they do it.
I have learned something disturbing: there are people in our community, even those of familiar status, who may be distributing the rope script cheat to those who express curiosity and admiration. If this is the case, what kind of morals and standards are we setting here? Should cheating be normalized, or should there be stronger opposition against it?
You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned any names. These are people I still enjoy playing with, and I don't condemn them for their ongoing actions. While I may not approve of it, it is what it is.
In case if you are not sure what cheat I am talking about, it's mainly rope cheats that automates your maneuvering and taps for you. I am not familiar with land cheat though.
This topic is about discussing cheats, understanding the motivations behind them, and questioning whether some past ropers may have used them—though I am open to being corrected.
So, what are your thoughts? Have you encountered players who cheat or have cheated? Are you a cheater, or have you ever cheated? Please share your thoughts.
