Can You Get Banned from League of Legends for Leaving a Game? The Truth Revealed
Yes, absolutely. Leaving a game in League of Legends (LoL) can lead to various penalties, culminating in a ban from the game. Riot Games, the developer of LoL, takes leaving or going AFK (Away From Keyboard) very seriously, as it negatively impacts the experience for other players. The severity of the consequences depends on the frequency and pattern of your leaving behavior. Initially, you might face queue lockouts, preventing you from immediately rejoining another match. Persistent leaving can then escalate to Ranked Restrictions, where you’re barred from participating in Ranked solo/duo or flex queues until you complete a set number of games in other eligible modes. Ultimately, repeated offenses will result in account suspensions of increasing duration, potentially leading to a permanent ban. Riot’s goal is to foster a competitive and enjoyable environment, and consistent abandonment undermines that objective. Understanding the system and its escalating consequences is key to maintaining a positive standing within the LoL community.
Understanding the Penalties for Leaving Games
The specific consequences for leaving a LoL game are designed to deter this behavior and improve the overall player experience. Here’s a breakdown:
Low Priority Queue
Repeatedly leaving or being AFK in games will place you in the Low Priority Queue (LPQ). This means you’ll have to wait an additional five to twenty minutes (depending on the number of offenses) before being able to queue up for another match. This serves as an immediate deterrent.
Ranked Restrictions
If you consistently leave games, particularly Ranked matches, you may face Ranked Restrictions. This prevents you from joining the Ranked solo/duo or flex queues until you complete a specific number of games in other eligible game modes like Normal Draft, Blind Pick or ARAM. This ensures that Ranked games are populated by players committed to finishing the match.
Account Suspensions and Bans
The most severe penalty is an account suspension or ban. The length of the suspension increases with each offense. A first offense might result in a short ban (e.g., a few days), while repeated offenses can lead to a two-week suspension and, ultimately, a permanent ban. This is Riot’s way of dealing with players who consistently disrupt the gaming experience.
Why Does Riot Games Punish Leaving?
Riot’s policies are rooted in maintaining fair play and a positive community. When a player leaves, it creates a disadvantage for their team, often leading to a loss and ruining the experience for the remaining players. This is particularly damaging in Ranked games, where players are striving to improve their ranking. By implementing penalties, Riot aims to:
- Discourage leaving: Make leaving less appealing by imposing consequences.
- Protect other players: Ensure a fair and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone.
- Maintain competitive integrity: Uphold the integrity of Ranked games.
- Promote positive behavior: Encourage players to be responsible and respectful towards their teammates.
Beyond Leaving: Other Bannable Offenses
While leaving a game is a common reason for penalties, it’s not the only one. LoL has a comprehensive set of rules designed to maintain a healthy gaming environment. Other offenses that can lead to bans include:
- Verbal Abuse: Harassment, offensive language, and toxicity are strictly prohibited.
- Intentional Feeding: Deliberately dying repeatedly to sabotage your team.
- Hate Speech: Racism, sexism, homophobia, and other forms of discriminatory language.
- Cheating: Using unauthorized third-party programs or exploits.
- Griefing: Disruptive behavior that negatively impacts the game for others, but doesn’t necessarily fit the other categories.
- Offensive or Inappropriate Names: Using names that violate Riot’s code of conduct.
Appeal Process
If you believe you were wrongly banned, you can submit an appeal ticket to Riot Games. You can find the option to submit a ticket on their support page. While there’s no guarantee that your ban will be lifted, Riot will review your case and determine whether the ban was justified.
GamesLearningSociety.org advocates for using games to promote learning and positive social interactions. The policies of League of Legends, when properly enforced, support this goal by disincentivizing disruptive behavior and promoting a fairer, more enjoyable experience for all players. To learn more about how gaming can contribute to positive outcomes, please visit the Games Learning Society website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many leaves does it take to get banned in League of Legends?
The number of leaves it takes to get banned varies depending on several factors, including the total number of games played and the time between leaves. Riot uses a dynamic system that tracks your behavior and adjusts the severity of the penalties accordingly. Consistent leaving will lead to more severe penalties faster.
2. What is the duration of a ban for leaving a League of Legends game?
The duration of a ban for leaving a League of Legends game depends on the number of offenses. The first offense might result in a short ban, while repeated offenses can lead to a two-week suspension, and ultimately, a permanent ban.
3. Can I get banned for idling or going AFK in a League of Legends game?
Yes, going AFK (Away From Keyboard) or idling in a League of Legends game is treated similarly to leaving and can result in the same penalties. The system detects inactivity and will issue warnings and, ultimately, penalties if the behavior continues.
4. What is the penalty for dodging a queue in League of Legends?
Dodging a queue, which is leaving during champion selection, results in a temporary queue lockout. The first dodge typically results in a five-minute lockout and a loss of LP (League Points) in Ranked queues. Subsequent dodges increase the lockout time and LP loss.
5. Can I sue Riot Games for banning my League of Legends account?
While theoretically possible under certain circumstances, it is highly unlikely to be successful. You are typically bound by the End User License Agreement (EULA), which includes a dispute resolution process. Unless you have suffered significant financial damages as a direct result of the ban, the legal fees would likely outweigh any potential compensation.
6. What constitutes “intentional feeding” in League of Legends and how is it penalized?
Intentional feeding is deliberately dying repeatedly to sabotage your team. This is a serious offense and can result in a suspension or permanent ban. Riot uses various detection methods to identify and punish intentional feeding.
7. What is the difference between a chat restriction and a ban in League of Legends?
A chat restriction limits your ability to communicate with other players in-game. A ban prevents you from accessing your account and playing the game altogether. Chat restrictions are typically issued for less severe offenses, such as verbal abuse, while bans are reserved for more serious violations.
8. How long does it take to get unbanned from League of Legends?
If you believe your ban was unjustified, you can submit an appeal ticket to Riot Games. The time it takes to get a response varies, but it can take several days or even weeks depending on the volume of appeals Riot is processing.
9. Can I create a new account if my main account is banned in League of Legends?
While creating a new account is technically possible, Riot discourages this behavior, especially if the reason for the ban on your main account was serious. They have anti-smurf measures in place, and if they detect that you are playing on a new account to circumvent a ban, both accounts could be penalized.
10. What are Riot’s anti-smurfing measures in League of Legends?
Riot has several anti-smurfing measures in place to prevent experienced players from creating new accounts to play against less skilled players. These measures include detecting patterns of play that indicate smurfing and adjusting matchmaking to place smurfs in more appropriate games.
11. What is the most toxic rank in League of Legends?
Many players consider Gold rank to be one of the most toxic ranks in League of Legends. This is often attributed to players feeling stuck and frustrated, leading to increased negativity and blame.
12. Can I get banned for swearing in League of Legends?
Yes, using excessive or offensive language in League of Legends can lead to a ban. Riot has a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech and extreme negative behavior. Even seemingly harmless swearing can be penalized if it is directed at other players in a harassing or abusive manner.
13. Will I get a refund for in-game purchases if my League of Legends account is banned?
Generally, you will not receive a refund for in-game purchases if your account is banned due to a violation of Riot’s terms of service.
14. Can Riot Games ban my IP address instead of my account?
No, Riot primarily bans accounts, not IP addresses. However, if your IP address changes frequently, they may flag your account as potentially compromised, which could lead to a temporary suspension for security reasons.
15. How can I avoid getting banned from League of Legends?
The best way to avoid getting banned from League of Legends is to follow Riot’s Code of Conduct. This includes respecting other players, avoiding offensive language, staying engaged in the game, and refraining from cheating or exploiting the game. In short, be a good sport and contribute to a positive gaming environment.