Is there any way to moderate thread but not reply?
 

Hi, to battle spams, this is what I want to do:

usergroup A can make new thread in subforum X instantly

but usergroup B, when they want to make new thread in subforum X, the threads will be moderated. However, usergroup B can post new replies instantly, just when they want to make new thread in specific subforum.

How to do these?

*PS: I know I can set up "follow forum moderation rules" but it will also moderate all of their new posts (I only want to moderate their new threads, not new replies)

There is no default way to make it so users may only make moderated thread but make unmoderated posts. I've seen it mentioned before, but don't know if anyone every wrote a modification that they shared here, but you can try a search. (BTW, spammers don't only start threads, in fact the hard ones to find at times are when they just post their spam in the middle of threads.)

Yes but they post links. I have written in the forum to remind everyone to never click any link BESIDE from thread starter. Basically the site is about providing links to download movies, and my competitors have been making new threads but fake links as well to spam the site. While if they just replying (not making new threads), I have educated my web users to never click them.