It depends how vague or precise the rules are. If the rules are clearly defined, and the mods are applying those rules evenly then they’re an ally as they keep the community to a sane level for everyone else.
It’s when they start applying the rules unevenly or as if the rules don’t apply to them that they become an adversary.
It’s not always easy though, because they’ll something encounter participants that are acting in bad faith but withing the rules. Those can be frustrating for a moderator, but then it’s a good way to see if they’re following the rules or their emotions.
It depends how vague or precise the rules are. If the rules are clearly defined, and the mods are applying those rules evenly then they’re an ally as they keep the community to a sane level for everyone else.
It’s when they start applying the rules unevenly or as if the rules don’t apply to them that they become an adversary.
It’s not always easy though, because they’ll something encounter participants that are acting in bad faith but withing the rules. Those can be frustrating for a moderator, but then it’s a good way to see if they’re following the rules or their emotions.