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Please Do Something About the Smurfing Problem In League of Legends

EnigmaticMachine··13 votes·10,137 views

This is not a thread to demonize all smurfs just putting that out there. So let me begin my discussion with some facts and links to the definitions of the words I will use. Words that might be confusing or not well understood. Smurfing (For Online Gaming)- https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/17209/where-does-the-term-smurfing-come-from

Now before we go any further into my thread and discussion please read the definition of a gaming smurf and why it is considered a bad practice in gaming.

First I would like to say thank you for commenting and reading my thread because all voices matter for a truly objective discussion and the goals the community would like to make as a whole.

Now let us get down to the meat of what I am talking about. So gaming and people are not perfect especially when mixed together in competitive games or even just the random new player who wants to learn and be satisfied with the core elements of a game. Now that includes the player and the game when I am talking about reducing the amount of smurfs. If you read the definition of a smurf it can be anyone who has had more experience in a game and decides to make another account for easier wins. This could also mean someone who just hits level 30 and didn't like their rank this season and decides to take out his or her anger on new players with a new account. Yes it can happen because it happens in all tiers of play. Just look at pro streamers. Now I did say I am not going to demonize or call out smurfing as a whole because in certain cases smurfing can be used for good. It can be used for coaching new players into the game mechanics and calmly teaching them what it means to be a team player and what a build path is and what it can do to increase your chance of success. I do not promote the use of smurfs when they just carry a game without the major assistance of a teammate. First it ruins the experience for half the players and maybe even more if the smurf is toxic to their own and it doesn't teach the new players jack squat if he or she either wins or losses. Smurfing this way is all about selfish gain and dishonorable sportsmanship. It is like playing dodge ball when one or maybe even three of your teammates are dressed up as toddlers when they are fully grown adults playing against probably other adults dressed as toddlers on the other team as well just crushing the actual toddlers who are new to the game. It doesn't help the toddlers grow it just embroils them to be like you, an unsportsmanlike player who doesn't care for the games integrity or for the fun of the game. Now if you are reading this thread and you are one of the small few who want to teach new players and keep them wanting to learn more then I salute you but let us all try to find a way to get selfish smurfs reduced in our gaming community. Be the bigger man and play the support role if you are not new on a new account. It helps bring new players together with experienced ones and overall makes for a more positive atmosphere for all players with all differing experiences. Don't be that guy who goes Zed or Yasuo and destroys games and uploads them to YouTube because you think that is fun to watch. Be that inspiring support who helps teach the game and makes new friends along the way. Gaming is much more fun when you play as a team not as a selfish smurf who only wants to make others time a waste. Thank you for reading and have a great day.

62 Comments

MordridtheBlack2 votes

sigh

they can't

there is literally nothing that Rito can implement into League (in this country) to deal with smurfs in any fashion

trust me, if there was, they would have done it by now

LaceUpXX3 votes

Need a phone number that texts you a confirmation code in order to create an account. Boom, smurfing problem fixed with very very limited liability.

MordridtheBlack2 votes

what about already made accounts?

i'm assuming accounts already made would need to sign up for the service

so why not just regulate it to a rng code generator (which can be an app on your phone, or iPad, etc)?

that might help stem the problem, not sure about fixing it

given that i'm sure plenty of people have both smart phones and tablets

2Charmnot2Charm3 votes

{quoted}

Need a phone number that texts you a confirmation code in order to create an account. Boom, smurfing problem fixed with very very limited liability.

Funny you think this would actually stop smurfing.

LaceUpXX1 votes

Funny you think it wouldn't help.

2Charmnot2Charm4 votes

{quoted}

Funny you think it wouldn't help.

  1. It's not that hard to get a new number.

  2. Buying/sharing accounts will still be a thing

So really nothing changes.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

Actually phone numbers could work. If the system only allowed that one phone number designated to the region of play then the smurf would have to ultimately change regions and then change the phone number region. So in regards to phone number security it could help decrease the smurf count because even though there will be die hard smurfs they would have to initiate a new phone line and that costs more money and most smurfing is wanting to smurf with low cost and this would help decrease a significant amount of smurfs who do not want to go through hurdles just to smurf constantly. It is a neat idea that Ubisoft is implementing and it could just help enough to make games more bearable. They would also have to implement local area codes too. It may be a lot of work but in all things considered it could work. Let us say someones number is in the usa and they put +1 for USA and (999) for local then the 123-4567 part would be all that matters. No one in the same local region can have the same number in that local region and the game is forced to make the user give their immediate location while playing and if they try to hack that location to a new one Riot will have proof of breaking the rules and will weed out the smurfs. The game designers would have to get the players location but in all regards smurfs will call it invasion of privacy. Which why would you lie about where you are gaming unless to do something you should not. What I think is that at some point we as the community have to start maturing and trying to make already toxic smurfs into less toxic smurfs by not reacting to their taunts through game play. It may see like a lot for a group to commit to and execute but it would help new players and the ones who want to change that are toxic smurfs. It is on us to fix this part of the problem because no one wants a game to know everyone's personal info stored in their hands. Keep up the great ideas and expand on them.

LaceUpXX2 votes

It's harder than making a new email.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

This is not about stopping it because that bring too many problems than answers. In my most honest opinion we need to combat smurfs with nothing but the upmost positivity and maturity. Riot will respond to immaturity in chat and in gameplay

ZephyrDrake1 votes

{quoted}

Need a phone number that texts you a confirmation code in order to create an account. Boom, smurfing problem fixed with very very limited liability.

And anyone who is poor or don't care to have phones get instantly screwed. You also seem to underestimate how easy it is to get a new phone. Hell you can change your current phone number so you don't even have to get a new phone!

LaceUpXX1 votes

Which is why I said very limited. Not that nobody would suffer. But to be honest, pretty much everyone has a phone. It's become almost a requirement for school/work. And I don't underestimate how easy it is to get a knew phone, but I don't think people would be buying a ton of phones like simply making a new email.

MessyStuff1 votes

I don't have a phone :(

ZephyrDrake1 votes

{quoted}

Which is why I said very limited. Not that nobody would suffer. But to be honest, pretty much everyone has a phone. It's become almost a requirement for school/work. And I don't underestimate how easy it is to get a knew phone, but I don't think people would be buying a ton of phones like simply making a new email.

Not everyone has a phone and not everyone who has a phone is willing to put their phone into something like this. Congrats you literally said to all those people "screw you! You don't get to play!"

LaceUpXX1 votes

Yes, you've already said not everyone has a phone. Even though those numbers are likely to be very very very small. And not willing to put their phone number into something like this? Why exactly? You need a valid phone number to sign up for a lot of things. It's not much different than requiring an email, except that you can't just create 400 phone numbers as easily.

ZephyrDrake1 votes

{quoted}

Yes, you've already said not everyone has a phone. Even though those numbers are likely to be very very very small. And not willing to put their phone number into something like this? Why exactly? You need a valid phone number to sign up for a lot of things. It's not much different than requiring an email, except that you can't just create 400 phone numbers as easily.

Unless It's something that they absolutely need to do to get something then yeah, they'll give their number. When It's to play a random online game? How many people would do that? Specially when they can just play something else that doesn't require a number. You severely underestimate how many people actually use their phones for stuff like this. People want convenience not inconvenience. That's why people use their phone. The less steps the better, the more steps required to do something the less likely people will do it. This is something I have come to learn from the many people I have known over my life.

Leetri1 votes

It took me 1 second to google "temporary phone number" and got a dozen sites made just to bypass this exact thing.

LaceUpXX1 votes

Will you receive a text from the number they're giving you?

Leetri1 votes

Yes, that's what they're for.

LaceUpXX1 votes

Still think it's less abusable than emails.

FSRER2 votes

Wrong. Do you know what an IP is? Riot has done IP bans in the past so they can know if a second account is created from a specific IP adress. If someone for example reported anyone for smurfing (should be reportable), A rioter should check his IP adress and then a penalty should be issued to the main account. Simple, isn't it.

Hardstück1 votes

You know you can change ur ip adress in less then a minute right?

MordridtheBlack1 votes

there's also the hole thing where IP bans from Riot are rare, due to the problems they can cause. ( I think they actually stopped using IP bans)

if they IP ban a college, net café, or even a house, that means all PCs that run through that IP can't play the game. How is that fair to the other people that may play League in those situations just because; the guy down the hall was a douche, that woman 3 computers over inted, or your big brother said a zero tolerance word in chat?

it isn't

but yeah Hardstuck has a point, it is rather simple now to change your IP

Hardstück1 votes

They can stop banning people for no reason and actually look to the replay of the game. They should start giving a warns to the soft inting/inting (2/15,0/11,1/12 etc.)

Mauros Piraths1 votes

[deleted]

Doge20202 votes

You should delete the name quickly. I agree with you and I share your frustration, but I also want you to not get in trouble by the boards moderation team. Name Shaming is against the rules even if the person in question is extremely toxic or smurfing with bad intent. It could be that it was a one time thing, the person in question got caught and reformed. So unwanted attention against that person would be unnecessary and childish when he knows what he did was wrong and he already reformed (this might not have happened but I am just saying this situation to explain why naming and shaming is bad).

I have been trolled and have experienced all of that stuff that you and many other players have to put up with from toxic players, I am not white knighting Riot, I just want you to not get in trouble. All you need to do is report him and trust that Riot will handle it, they may not ban/punish him immediately (and btw you will rarely get notified if a player that you reported has been punished), but if the player keeps on being toxic and smurf in his games then he will inevitably get caught and banned by Riot.

Hardstück1 votes

Your comment makes no sense because that guy that got banned will make new account and be level15 tommorow.

Karunamon1 votes

If he doesn't just go on ebay and buy a fresh level 30 account for $10-15.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

Honestly that is why I am making this thread because if you start playing with teammates it might help a bit and not reacting to the smurf at all will help the games player base. Smurfs want to feel powerful so if you don't react and don't say anything then you are being the better man just say gg or say Ill do better next time. Riot will deal with toxic smurfs if they fail to bring the level of maturity in sportsmanship. :) Let us show Riot that we deserve better by being better team players with as much positivity we can bring.

Hardstück1 votes

No smurfs dont want to feel powerfull they are playing on new accounts because they got banned for no reason and because riots ban system is stupid

XJ999999999999991 votes

"Don't be that guy who goes Zed or Yasuo and destroys games and uploads them to YouTube because you think that is fun to watch"

its what gets people views, and views = money. they dont care about what they are doing morally.

Light Burner1 votes

{quoted}

"Don't be that guy who goes Zed or Yasuo and destroys games and uploads them to YouTube because you think that is fun to watch"

its what gets people views, and views = money. they dont care about what they are doing morally.

how is this even considered a moral issue?

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

Only caring about money can be destructive and morally wrong but I can see how you find it not about morality since it is online. So this is something I could start a new discussion on because I am all about getting feedback.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

Yes but that is why I am making this thread to see if the community as a whole will come together and not follow in a smurfs footsteps.

Light Burner1 votes

"This is not a thread to demonize all smurfs just putting that out there."

You're right this is a thread to demonize majority of smurfs not all.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

Well coaching is a form of smurfing but at least it is helpful for making the game a more fun environment. It also can bring people together for teamwork which this game is suppose to be all about

Light Burner1 votes

{quoted}

Well coaching is a form of smurfing but at least it is helpful for making the game a more fun environment. It also can bring people together for teamwork which this game is suppose to be all about

Smurfing in my opinion isnt an issue because most smurfs are about a tier above and the youtubers you see posting vids are extremely few in low elo games often, but even then those vids are to show if you have enough skill you'll win those games we always say are impossible to win and yes even they lose games and show some games are in fact unwinnable but not all the games we say are unwinnable they end up losing.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

No game is impossible when the teamwork is present. If each player communicates to each other their experience of past match ups and shares their build paths then winning games is significantly easier and more fun as a whole. Sometimes you get a 4v5 but do not let that determine winning or losing. Just play the game because most of the time once your team starts working together to get important objectives then each player will gain experience and game knowledge.

Light Burner1 votes

{quoted}

No game is impossible when the teamwork is present. If each player communicates to each other their experience of past match ups and shares their build paths then winning games is significantly easier and more fun as a whole. Sometimes you get a 4v5 but do not let that determine winning or losing. Just play the game because most of the time once your team starts working together to get important objectives then each player will gain experience and game knowledge.

Thats not up for debate its already confirrmed by many that there are games that are unwinnable now the games you're referring to arent the "unwinnable games" the games im talking about are the ones with inters trolls rage quitters games where your entire team gets dumpstered im talking like enemy team doubles your team's cs and the score is like 2 to 38 these games arent winnable.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

Well I am just saying that at some point it is up to the community to start behaving more mature because Riot wants to make money right so they do not want to inconvenience others. I do see your point but sometimes helping out your teammates negativity will help them not want to throw instead of saying "get reported" if they do not listen to your positivity just report them without making a big fuss. In all likely-hood they will get a punishment for repeating the same offense.

Light Burner1 votes

{quoted}

Well I am just saying that at some point it is up to the community to start behaving more mature because Riot wants to make money right so they do not want to inconvenience others. I do see your point but sometimes helping out your teammates negativity will help them not want to throw instead of saying "get reported" if they do not listen to your positivity just report them without making a big fuss. In all likely-hood they will get a punishment for repeating the same offense.

But Riot members have even said that its not that specific players are toxic its just the game brings out the toxicity in players.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

That was a lazy statement from the Riot team. It should be revised because they are essentially saying that it is their fault and they do not want to fix it.

Light Burner1 votes

{quoted}

That was a lazy statement from the Riot team. It should be revised because they are essentially saying that it is their fault and they do not want to fix it.

They know its their fault but this is how they want the game because they want the game to be reliant on the entire team and not just something carried by a single player.

MYSTlCFLOW1 votes

they actually just banned me, I'm a master player

I have a 65% winrate from gold 4 to diamond 4

I will be smurfing in iron once I reach level 30

I got banned, but I didn't spend any money. so on the + side they gave me free honor level 2. I only play one champion so losing champs isn't a problem, and I get more skins now than ever due to chests and keys :D

another + side is I get to get a 90% winrate by the time I reach diamond 4 by smurfing iron-bronze-silver-gold-plat-dia

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

If you do make another account try to help out your teammates. If you go into a new account trashing people it won't do anyone any good and that is what should be a ban-able offense in my opinion and it is fine if you do not share it but eventually you will get banned for the same reasons you got banned for in the first place so in short the jokes on you Joker.

roughvan1 votes

You guys are really funny, thinking that having phone numbers tied to creating accounts would stop smurfs. Firstly what to do with countless accounts already registered? Secondly, phone numbers are cheap, also you have whole family, why can't a smurf use his brother/sister/parents phone number to register account? that's like 4-5 accounts, plus count all the friends you have that don't play league?

Also i have 4 accounts, 2 on my main server and 2 on others, why shouldn't i be allowed to play on another server if i have good ping there just because i don't have their phone number?

Good luck playing support when you are smurfing, you'll lose all your braincells, let me say, i am not a toxic player but i just can't handle watching mistakes low elo players make, even less watching people level 1-30. I don't enjoy smurfing compared to other people that do, i just want to get to my rank as soon as possible to get quality games where i can improve.

There are quite a few benefits to having multiple accounts, you can duo on one and play for fun or when you dodge a game on your main, you can hop on to another and play instantly without waiting. Accounts on other servers if you have playable ping at around 100, anything higher can be a problem. This way you can compare what you rank is across multiple servers, also the benefit of playing with players from other countries.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

If you look at my history you will see my positivity and teamwork is actually winning a lot of games and helping out my teammates. I get honors for gg or good shot calling. I am helping new players and even ones that still want to know more from past accounts. Oh and I am mainly playing support shen. Teamwork is vital and less stressful if you just want to have a good time with your teammates.

roughvan1 votes

{quoted}

If you look at my history you will see my positivity and teamwork is actually winning a lot of games and helping out my teammates. I get honors for gg or good shot calling. I am helping new players and even ones that still want to know more from past accounts. Oh and I am mainly playing support shen. Teamwork is vital and less stressful if you just want to have a good time with your teammates.

We are all different, i can't play support because i don't trust my teammates and don't want to rely on them to carry me, much less playing it in normals or on a smurf. Yes, there is option of carrying as support but it is not as sound as playing a role that gets much more gold.

I just get really annoyed/mad when my teammates make obvious mistakes that prolong the game or can even cause us to lose. When i ping my teammates when i know where jungler is or when they should back instead of pushing for inhib, they stay and die, they often make quite a few big mistakes.

Also don't think that i am ignoring myself when i make mistakes, i just play to improve and to win and i blame myself the most when i make big mistakes.

EnigmaticMachine1 votes

If you look at it now I had two smurfs in a row that are in different accounts but both played a hard carry. That is the called smurfing and it a big behavioral issue in all games. I didnt flame or get angry.

BattleMaster7061 votes

So I have noticed once getting into higher ish gold that there are a lot of smurfs and it is really easy to identify a level 30 never ranked before account getting Quadra kills in gold Elo to be smurf account. It really is ruining the quality of my games, I get a silver on my team to compensate for the smurf because of matchmaking and so not only do I get a worse player the enemy gets a diamond or plat or whatever and it’s infuriating. I have been playing league for a 7 years and I honestly was enjoying ranked up until now where I feel like every other game has a smurf, making it hard to win. I really hate it because I understand it’s benefits but it really sucks for me as a player. I really REALLY want it to be bannable because I know it’s a computer that bans but if we had a person looking over accounts it’s pretty obvious. I also agree with the OP that not all smurfs are bad, look at somebody like pantsaredragon who has multiple accounts in challenger, he isn’t ruining games for anybody. Anyway I just wanted to rant cause I just lost to an obvious smurf and am sad that I may not continue ranked at this rate.

ØPP CATCHER1 votes

I started league of legends in Mid june of 2019 (S9)

After playing about 100 games, I noticed i was constantly matched with other players who were 100-200 and sometimes even 300 levels above mine. Many times I was also matched against people 5-6 elos above mine. Someone unranked and new to the game being matched with gold/plat players is obviously going to lose to do less knowledgeable of the game. And yet all we get told is to get good.

This becomes frustrating because at this point i go into every game just assuming i’m going to lose because it just seems like i rarely get matched with players my elo or slightly above. A lot of people say “its how you get better so stfu and play” in reality, they don’t understand the psychological effect it has on new players.

In conclusion, I understand its hard to catch every smurf due to the amount of players on this game, however I find that the current matchmaking is atrocious and something needs to be done. Its no fun getting whooped daily and winning 1 game every say 5-10 stressful games you play. And lets not forget about the flame you receive from the enemy team and your team due to your performance.

Being a new player who has never played a MOBA game before, i enjoy league of legends, however there has to be something done about being matched with people who are gold or even plat when its evident the unranked player is new.

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