Official Riot Games FAQ: Account Penalties and Enforcement (Post-Patch 25.18)

Over the past few weeks, we’ve received numerous questions seeking clarity on how Riot Games will implement penalties regarding Rank Manipulation, Multi-Accounting, Account Sharing, and ELO Boosting. To eliminate any ambiguity, we present this comprehensive FAQ to address the most pressing concerns for competitive League of Legends players.

A quick disclaimer: Many situations are unique and may involve mitigating circumstances. It is impossible to cover every scenario, but this document addresses the most widespread player queries.

Enforcement Timeline: When Penalties Take Effect

Understanding the timeline is crucial, as some policies are already active, while others—like penalty linking—are scheduled for a later date.

Key Definitions for Ranked Integrity

To ensure consistency, Riot Games has provided formal definitions for the behaviors targeted by the new enforcement system:

• Intentional Throwing/Deliberate Deranking: Playing below one’s skill level to intentionally lose matches, decrease MMR, or lower the account’s rank.
• Hitching/Boosting: Queuing with another player, typically an ELO-manipulating account, to artificially reach a higher divisional rank.
• ELO Manipulation (Boosting): Playing on an account that is not your own to increase its MMR. This also includes players using a smurf account to duo-queue and artificially boost a partner’s MMR.
• Rank Manipulation: An umbrella term that includes ELO Manipulation, intentionally losing Flex queue games to lower rank/MMR, and using those lowered accounts to boost another account.
• Purchased or Bot Accounts: An explicit violation of the Terms of Service. This includes any account not leveled or used by a single, original player.
• Account Sharing: Allowing or selling an account for use by someone other than the original creator. Using an account created by someone else is also included.
• Account Linking: Connecting multiple accounts that Riot is extremely confident are used by the same person.
• Penalty Linking: Applying shared penalties across linked accounts to prevent a user from evading consequences.

Account Sharing, Buying, and Legacy Accounts

Will my main account be suspended if I have used a purchased or bot account?

• Occasional Use: No, having occasionally bought or used a bot account will not automatically suspend your main, legitimate account.
• Frequent Use: If you are determined to be a frequent user of bought/bot accounts, it is more likely you will receive penalties on your main account.

I bought an account years ago and it’s now my main account. Will I lose it?

No. Riot acknowledges that many good-behaving players may have bought or shared an account a long time ago. In such cases, if the account has become your main and you have maintained good behavior, you will likely not face a suspension.

• Exception: If you have multiple bought/shared accounts that have remained active over the past year, Riot will be less lenient and may suspend all of those accounts.

What about sharing my account with a friend for a single Normal game?

To keep your account safe, you should not share it. However, sharing it for a single Normal or TFT game will likely not result in a penalty. If the sharing is associated with any form of ELO or Rank Manipulation, the account will be suspended, regardless of frequency.

Smurfing, ELO Manipulation, and Duoing

How is ELO/Rank Manipulation Detected?

Riot’s system does not rely on visible ranks (like Silver or Platinum). It focuses entirely on the account’s MMR (Matchmaking Rating).

• The system flags and suspends accounts based on unusual and relevant MMR changes over a short period of time. A sudden leap from Silver-level MMR to Master-level MMR is a clear indicator of tampering.

Will suspensions for Smurf accounts be automatic or manual?

Riot will automatically suspend accounts that meet their strict, high-confidence parameters. The system is highly accurate, minimizing the need for manual review.

Can I Duo Queue with my Challenger friend if they play on an alternate account to teach me?

No, this is considered ELO Manipulation in Ranked games. While Riot understands this decision may be unpopular, it is fundamentally unfair to other players in the lobby and ruins the competitive experience. Riot encourages using Normal games, custom matches, or other game modes for coaching.

What are the penalties for ELO Manipulation and Smurfing?

Penalties apply to both the manipulated account and the manipulating player’s account:

1. First Offense: 3-day suspension.
2. Second Offense: 14-day suspension.
3. Third Offense: Permanent suspension.
4. Additional Penalties:
   • 6-month Ranked Queue suspension for duos with a player using scripts.
   • Honor drops to Level 1 or 2.
   • Loss of current Season’s Ranked Rewards.

Will Streamers and Professionals receive exceptions?

No exceptions will be made. If a professional player or streamer creates a smurf account or engages in any form of Rank Manipulation, their accounts will be penalized just like any other player. However, Riot provides practice accounts with their main account’s MMR for content creation or international tournament practice.

Penalty Linking and Account Safety

What penalties will be linked across accounts?

All penalties—including queue delays, account suspensions, account blocks, and chat restrictions—will be linked across all accounts that Riot is highly confident are operated by the same individual.

Will my account be linked to others if I play at an Internet Cafe or shared family computer?

No. Riot only flags accounts that share multiple IP addresses combined with other detection methods. Meeting a single requirement (like playing on the same computer) is not enough for enforcement.