League of Legends account smurfing refers to the act of experienced players creating or purchasing additional accounts, commonly known as “smurf accounts,” to play at lower skill levels. This practice has been around since the early days of the game and remains a controversial topic within the League of Legends community.
Smurfing can happen for various reasons, including players wanting a fresh start, avoiding their main account’s ranking stress, or simply playing with lower-ranked friends. While some see it as harmless fun, others argue that it disrupts the balance of fair matchmaking.
Why Do Players Smurf in League of Legends?
There are several reasons why players engage in League of Legends account smurfing. While some motives are harmless, others can negatively impact the game experience for newer or lower-ranked players.
1. Playing With Friends at a Lower Rank
One of the most common reasons for smurfing is the desire to play with friends who are significantly lower in skill level. Since ranked matchmaking prevents high-elo players from queuing with lower-ranked friends, some create smurf accounts to join their friends without affecting their main rank.
2. Escaping Ranked Pressure
High-ranked players often face significant pressure to maintain their rating. League of Legends account smurfing allows them to play games casually without worrying about their rank dropping. Some players find this enjoyable as it provides a stress-free environment compared to high-stakes ranked matches.
3. Experimenting With New Champions and Strategies
A smurf account enables experienced players to try out new champions, builds, or playstyles without negatively affecting their main account’s ranking. This is especially useful when learning difficult champions or adjusting to a new meta.
4. Challenging Oneself With a Fresh Climb
Some high-elo players smurf because they enjoy the challenge of climbing the ranked ladder again from the bottom. They might see it as an opportunity to test their skills and prove they can reach high ranks consistently.
5. Avoiding Long Queue Times
In higher elos, matchmaking can take significantly longer due to a smaller player pool. By using a smurf account in lower ranks, players can get into games much faster.
6. Bypassing Account Bans
Unfortunately, some players use League of Legends account smurfing as a way to bypass bans on their main accounts. This can lead to toxic behavior, as some banned players return without addressing the reasons they were banned in the first place.
The Impact of League of Legends Account Smurfing on Matchmaking
While some players enjoy smurfing, it undeniably affects the game’s matchmaking and overall player experience.
1. Unfair Matchmaking
One of the biggest issues with smurfing is the disruption it causes in matchmaking. Since smurfs are usually more skilled than the rank they are placed in, their presence can create an unbalanced experience for genuine lower-ranked players. This leads to frustrating games where newer players struggle against much stronger opponents.
2. Negative Experience for New Players
New players who encounter smurfs may feel discouraged from continuing to play the game. Losing repeatedly to a highly skilled opponent can make the learning process frustrating, leading to a poor experience for genuine beginners.
3. Smurf Detection and MMR Adjustments
Riot Games has implemented systems to detect smurfs and adjust their matchmaking rating (MMR) accordingly. If a player is consistently outperforming others in their rank, the system places them against stronger opponents to balance matchmaking. However, this process is not immediate, and smurfs can still cause several games to be unfair before their MMR adjusts.
4. Boosting and Rank Manipulation
Some players use League of Legends account smurfing as a way to boost other players’ ranks. This is often done by highly skilled players intentionally playing on lower-ranked accounts to help their friends or even sell ranked boosting services. Such activities undermine the competitive integrity of the ranked system.
Riot Games’ Stance on Smurfing
Riot Games has acknowledged the impact of smurfing and has taken steps to minimize its negative effects. While creating additional accounts is not explicitly against the rules, Riot discourages excessive smurfing due to its impact on matchmaking.
1. MMR Acceleration for Smurfs
To reduce the negative effects of smurfing, Riot Games has implemented MMR acceleration. This means that new accounts that perform exceptionally well will quickly climb ranks and be placed against more challenging opponents. The goal is to ensure that smurfs do not stay in lower ranks for too long.
2. Ban Waves for Toxic Smurfs
While Riot does not ban players simply for creating smurf accounts, those who engage in toxic behavior, account boosting, or intentionally ruin games may face penalties. Accounts that repeatedly receive reports or show signs of disruptive behavior can be banned.
3. Encouraging Players to Stick to One Account
Riot has encouraged players to focus on improving their main accounts rather than resorting to smurfing. With features like champion mastery and seasonal rewards, there are incentives to stick with a single account rather than constantly creating new ones.
How to Deal With Smurfs in Your Games
If you frequently encounter smurfs in your matches, there are a few ways to handle the situation.
1. Stay Positive and Focus on Improvement
Instead of getting frustrated, use the opportunity to learn from more skilled players. Watching how a smurf plays can teach you better mechanics, decision-making, and strategies.
2. Report Problematic Players
If a smurf is ruining games by being toxic or intentionally feeding, make sure to report them. Riot Games takes action against accounts that repeatedly exhibit disruptive behavior.
3. Adapt Your Playstyle
If you suspect someone is a smurf, play cautiously and avoid unnecessary fights. Smurfs often try to dominate early, so focusing on safe farming and teamwork can help mitigate their impact.
4. Play With a Duo Partner
Queuing with a friend can improve your chances of countering smurfs. Coordination and teamwork can help level the playing field against stronger opponents.
Is League of Legends Account Smurfing Good or Bad?
League of Legends account smurfing has both positive and negative aspects, and opinions on the practice vary widely.
Pros of Smurfing
- Allows players to practice new champions and roles without affecting their main rank
- Enables high-ranked players to play with lower-ranked friends
- Provides a fresh start for players who feel stuck in their current rank
Cons of Smurfing
- Disrupts matchmaking and creates unfair games for lower-ranked players
- Can lead to toxicity, boosting, and rank manipulation
- Makes it difficult for new players to enjoy and learn the game
Ultimately, while smurfing is not outright banned, it remains a controversial topic within the League of Legends community.
Conclusion
League of Legends account smurfing is a common practice with both advantages and disadvantages. While some players use smurf accounts for harmless reasons like playing with friends or testing new strategies, others exploit them in ways that negatively impact matchmaking. Riot Games has taken measures to reduce smurfing’s negative effects, but the issue persists.
If you are considering smurfing, it is important to be mindful of how it affects other players. Likewise, if you encounter smurfs in your games, focusing on improvement and reporting toxic behavior can help maintain a fair gaming environment.
