Does League Ban Smurfs?
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The short answer to the question of whether League of Legends bans smurfs is no, smurfing is not a bannable offense in itself, but certain behaviors associated with it, such as account sharing, are strictly prohibited and can result in penalties. Riot Games, the developer of League of Legends, does not endorse smurfing because it can ruin the game for other players, but tackling it on a massive scale is difficult due to the number of players and the ease of account creation.
What is Smurfing in League of Legends?
Smurfing in League of Legends refers to the practice of creating a second account to play the game, often to play against lower-ranked players without the pressure of high-ranked games or to try out new roles or champions without risking the rank on their main account.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Smurfing Allowed in League of Legends?
Smurfing is allowed in League of Legends as long as it does not involve account sharing or other prohibited behaviors.
2. Does Riot Allow Smurf Accounts?
Riot Games does not explicitly label smurfing as a violation in their Terms of Service, but they do not endorse it because it can negatively impact the gaming experience for other players.
3. Can You Get Reported for Smurfing in League?
Yes, you can get reported for smurfing in League of Legends, but Riot may not take action unless other rules are broken.
4. Why Doesn’t Riot Care About Smurfs?
Riot acknowledges the difficulty in tackling smurfing due to the large player base and ease of creating new accounts, making it hard to proactively remove smurfs from the game.
5. Is Smurfing Illegal in Gaming?
Smurfing itself is not illegal in gaming, but it is frowned upon by Riot and can lead to penalties if associated with other prohibited behaviors.
6. How Do You Tell If a League Account is a Smurf?
An account is likely a smurf if the player has significantly higher CS (Creep Score), kill, and assist numbers compared to other players in the game.
7. Is Buying League Accounts Bannable?
Yes, account trading is against Riot’s Terms of Use and can result in the account being suspended.
8. Does Riot Ban Smurfing?
Riot does not directly ban smurfing, but they will take action against accounts that engage in smurfing alongside other violations like account sharing.
9. Is Smurfing Bannable in VALORANT?
Yes, smurfing is bannable in VALORANT, as Riot Games has a policy against it and will act against players found smurfing.
10. Why Do Pro Players Smurf?
Professional players use smurfs to remain unrecognized in public matches or to hide their strategy and hero play from others during training.
11. Why Do League Players Smurf?
League players smurf to try out new roles or champions without risking their rank, or to play without the pressure of high-ranked games.
12. Is Boosting Bannable in League of Legends?
Yes, boosting, which requires sharing sensitive account information, is seen as a security risk and can lead to a ban if proven.
13. Is Smurfing a Crime?
In a broader context, smurfing can refer to an illegal activity used in money laundering, where large transactions are broken into smaller ones to evade detection.
14. What Happens to Banned League Accounts?
A permanently banned League of Legends account restricts the player from logging in forever, usually following multiple warnings or temporary suspensions.
15. Are Alt Accounts Allowed on League of Legends?
There is no rule against owning multiple accounts, but playing with people under your skill level until the MMR (Match Making Rating) stabilizes could be seen as breaking the Summoner’s Code.