What Happens if You Leave a Siege Game?

Leaving a game of Rainbow Six Siege prematurely, especially in Ranked or Unranked modes, carries significant consequences. These penalties are in place to discourage disruptive behavior and maintain the competitive integrity of the game. If you disconnect or quit a Ranked match, you will face an Abandon Penalty. This penalty typically involves a temporary ban from matchmaking, meaning you won’t be able to queue for Ranked or Unranked games for a specific period. You will also incur a -50% renown gain for all Renown awarded during the suspension period. Leaving while alive in Ranked will result in the maximum ELO loss, and the loss of points will still occur even if your team wins.

Understanding the Abandon Penalty in Rainbow Six Siege

The abandon penalty in Rainbow Six Siege is a system designed to deter players from leaving matches before they’re completed. This is critical, especially in Ranked play, where a single player leaving can severely handicap their team and negatively impact the experience for everyone involved. The severity of the penalty escalates with repeated offenses. Let’s break down the components and the progression:

Initial Abandonment

• Temporary Ban: The first time you abandon a Ranked or Unranked match, you’ll receive a temporary ban from matchmaking. The duration of this ban can vary, typically starting around 30 minutes, but can extend to a 2-hour penalty depending on the circumstances. This is a warning shot, designed to discourage further incidents.

• Renown Penalty: During your ban, you’ll also experience a -50% reduction in the Renown you earn. Renown is the in-game currency used to unlock operators, weapon skins, and other cosmetic items. This penalty effectively slows your progression, adding another layer of disincentive to abandoning matches.

• ELO Loss: If you leave a Ranked match while you’re still alive, you’ll suffer a significant ELO (MMR) loss, treating the match as a complete loss. This can drastically affect your rank and impact your standing within the competitive ladder. It can vary, for example, costing the player 30 ELO points in Diamond ranks, and 15 ELO points in Master ranks.

Escalating Penalties

The penalty system doesn’t stop at a single infraction. If you continue to abandon matches, the penalties will increase substantially.

• Longer Bans: Subsequent abandonments result in progressively longer bans. These can escalate from hours to days, and in severe cases, even weeks. The game tracks your abandonment history, so repeated offenses will result in harsh consequences.

• Ranked Restrictions: Players who repeatedly abandon matches may also face Ranked Restrictions. This means you’ll be prevented from joining the Ranked solo/duo or flex queues until you’ve completed a set number of games in eligible modes (e.g., Quick Match, Unranked). This ensures you prove you’re committed to finishing matches before being allowed back into Ranked play.

• Seasonal Bans: Reaching 5 penalty points from abandoning ranked games may lead to a seasonal ban from Ranked games or a two-month ban from the game, whichever lasts longer. Four penalty points will lead to a 72-hour ban from Ranked and Unranked, and 24 hours in Casual, as well as an 8 in-game hours of 50% Renown penalty.

Exceptions and Considerations

While the abandon penalty system is generally strict, there are a few exceptions and considerations.

• Teamkilling: If you are teamkilled twice by a teammate, the game allows you to leave without incurring an abandon penalty. This prevents players from being held hostage in toxic environments. Moreover, if one player on the team is teamkilled twice, the entire team can leave penalty-free.

• Connectivity Issues: The game recognizes that disconnections can happen due to technical issues. While occasional disconnects might trigger a penalty, the system is designed to be more lenient towards players with infrequent connection problems. However, chronic connectivity issues will still result in penalties if they lead to repeated abandonments. It is also important to remember that connectivity issues do not prevent the loss of ELO.

• Unforeseen Circumstances: Real-life emergencies can happen. While the game doesn’t have a specific “excuse” system, understanding the penalties and striving to avoid abandonments is always the best approach.

Why Are Abandon Penalties Necessary?

The implementation of abandon penalties is vital for maintaining a fair and enjoyable competitive environment in Rainbow Six Siege. Without such a system, players would be more likely to leave matches when they are losing, or simply because they are impatient. This would:

• Ruin Competitive Integrity: Leaving a Ranked match gives the remaining team a significant disadvantage, making it harder to win and impacting their rank.
• Decrease Player Experience: Abandonments create a negative experience for everyone involved. Teammates are left short-handed, and opponents are robbed of a genuine match.
• Encourage Toxic Behavior: If leaving matches had no consequence, it would be easier for players to engage in toxic behavior, such as leaving when they don’t get their preferred operator or role.

How to Avoid Abandon Penalties

To avoid the penalties associated with leaving Rainbow Six Siege games, here are some tips:

• Check Your Connection: Before starting a match, ensure you have a stable internet connection.
• Address Technical Issues: If you frequently experience crashes or disconnects, troubleshoot your system to identify and fix the problem. Outdated drivers are commonly the cause of crashes in Rainbow Six Siege.
• Plan Ahead: Avoid starting a match if you know you might have to leave soon. Real-life obligations should always take priority.
• Communicate: If you have to leave unexpectedly, inform your team as quickly as possible. While it won’t prevent the penalty, it shows respect for your teammates.

Leaving a match in Rainbow Six Siege has clear consequences. By understanding these penalties and taking steps to avoid abandonments, you can help contribute to a more positive and competitive experience for everyone. Remember, maintaining a strong connection and planning ahead are key to avoiding these situations. If you are interested in games and learning, consider checking out Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Does leaving a Casual game have the same penalty as leaving a Ranked game?

No, leaving a Casual game generally has a less severe penalty than leaving a Ranked game. While you may still face a temporary matchmaking ban, the penalties are typically shorter and do not impact your Ranked ELO.

2. How long do matchmaking bans last for leaving Siege games?

The duration of matchmaking bans varies depending on the game mode and the number of times you’ve abandoned matches. Initial bans are typically short (30 minutes to 2 hours), but they can escalate to days or even weeks for repeated offenses.

3. Will I lose MMR/ELO if I leave a Ranked game, even if my team wins?

Yes, if you leave a Ranked game while dead, you will still lose the maximum amount of ELO for your rank, even if your team manages to win the match afterward.

4. Can I get banned for teamkilling in Rainbow Six Siege?

Yes, repeated teamkilling can result in a ban. The system is designed to automatically detect and punish excessive teamkilling. On the second teamkill, a team member is allowed to leave with no penalty. Moreover, if one player on the team is teamkilled twice, the entire team can leave without penalty.

5. How many matches are saved in the Rainbow Six Siege replay system?

The Rainbow Six Siege replay feature automatically records your player versus player (PVP) matches. Up to 12 matches will be saved and available to view at a time.

6. How long do Rainbow Six Siege replays last before expiring?

Replays last for the length of a patch cycle, meaning they’ll expire once you patch up. For example, if you played a game on patch 7.1, you’ll be able to watch that Replay until patch 7.2 drops.

7. How can I find my Match ID in Rainbow Six Siege?

Go to the Home screen, select the Watch tab to open the Match Replay tool. Once the match starts replaying, you will be able to see your Match ID on-screen.

8. Does playing Unranked affect my Kill/Death ratio (KD) or MMR?

No, playing Unranked does not affect your Ranked Kill/Death ratio or MMR points. It provides a competitive environment without impacting your Ranked stats.

9. When does MMR reset in Rainbow Six Siege?

There is a soft MMR reset at the beginning of each new Season. This helps to ensure competitive balance and fairness.

10. What is ELO/MMR in Rainbow Six Siege?

MMR/Elo is a number describing your skill and determining your rank. “Elo” is not a correct term, because Siege uses the TrueSkill algorithm, not the Elo algorithm, but people use this word anyway.

11. What happens if I am inactive (AFK) during a Siege match?

Being inactive during a match can also lead to penalties. The game may kick you for inactivity, and repeated AFK behavior can result in temporary bans from matchmaking. You may also face Ranked Restrictions.

12. What modes are eligible to play after receiving Ranked Restrictions?

When you have Ranked Restrictions, you can complete the required games in Quick Match or Unranked.

13. What are the potential fixes for Rainbow Six Siege crashes?

Outdated device drivers are one of the main reasons why Rainbow Six Siege players experience crashes. So, make sure to keep your device drivers up-to-date.

14. Is Rainbow Six Siege free to play?

As of 2023, Rainbow Six Siege is not free to play.

15. How long does a standard match of Rainbow Six Siege last?

A casual or Quick Play match typically lasts about 20 minutes max, while a Ranked match is probably 15 to 30 minutes.