The Report System and Why it Doesn't Really Make Sense.
There are many different types of people you don't want to have in game. There are many types of players that aren't banned or even impacted by their negativity in game. This can range from calling someone stupid for misunderstanding something you say to being absolutely outrageous with their build. There are many causes for why the current system in place doesn't work. Some cases, such as trolling, require someone to actually watch the game to see if it happened and how it happened. Some require manual overlook of passive aggressive chat when there is no keywords. Sometimes, passive aggressive isn't even in chat. It can range from taking CS, spamming pings, or simply not grouping when asked.
Some of this can be reduced by simply muting the other players. This isn't always a good idea because that is the ONLY way to spill complex information other than the 5 or 6 ping limit per 10 seconds. It would be rather hard to differentiate what a question mark means next to drag vs next to blue buff.
The way being banned can be avoided by players is through the automated system. If they say nothing, they aren't toxic. If they call a player stupid or dumb for building a different way they may have a chance, even if it is a small one. There are guidelines to what qualifies under certain categories of reporting players.
These are the reasons according to the LOL reporting site located here
- Reporting a summoner that is being directly offensive: EX Used: I am Darius. Prepare to get DUNKED. GG easy, ****ing bot noobs!
This is not very clear as what "directly offensive" is. Some games, I have people literally telling me and my team mates to "kys" (means "kill yourself"). Other games, I have people calling me dumb or stupid or even retarded for misunderstanding what they say means. When I report them, I still don't get a message saying they've been punished. Does it count as directly offensive if it does actually offend someone obviously? What does directly offensive even mean in these circumstances? Does it have to be something easily known as offensive? Or can it be anything that is somewhat known to a medium degree as offensive?
- Report a summoner for socially offensive/explicit language: EX Used: "Let me tell you what I think about <insert nationality here> people" "they are worthless lazy **** who do nothing but steal our jobs and women" "****in <insert ethnicity here> <insert sexual orientation here> ****s"
Ive had people call me gy and a fggot before (very recently) because of whatever reason. Even though I reported them, I never received a "this person has been banned" notification. I bet they're probably still playing calling anyone almost anything.
- Report a summoner for purposely losing a game or empowering the enemy through deliberate action: EX Used: "miss fortune you are the worse. surrender @ 20, I am going to feed" bought 6 boots of speed
This kind of thing isn't very touchy. It's sometimes very obvious at what helping the enemy team means. Sometimes it can be very unobvious unless seen by an outside eye (ie, a team mate steals the first few camps without permission from the jungler). Some are as plain as the example. Others are simply selling everything and going against their role (a support building full damage, a jungler staying in top lane, etc.). Sometimes this is even when a player sells all of their equipment to become Mundo's Boot Shop©.
- Report a summoner for not focusing on the team aspect of the game: EX Used: "screw you Lux-bot, I am never helping you top, like, ever!"
This is very debatable considering that this doesnt apply to junglers that never gank, team mates not grouping, or players not playing as a team. Players can simply never do any of these things and the report system can't catch them. They can easily claim "I need farm" or "You fed them, I'm not going to help you." This isn't very clear of a definition to cause any real action. I don't even know what report option this would be. Negative attitude? Nah. Verbal abuse? Nah. They didnt leave the game or intentionally feed. They didnt use hate speech, unauthorized third part programs, or having an offensive summoner name. There isn't anything to define this.
- Report a summoner for deliberately refusing to participate in the game: EX Used: "feel free to dig your graves all over the Summoners Rift. I am not moving off this platform!!"
This is very obvious of an example that is a problem. Although, this is obvious, some may not be so obvious. Some people simply afk farm jungle and ignore everything. It's easily gotten around.
Some of the things in the Riot report system are not correct, easily avoided, or out of date to say the least. A lot of things that happen in game that may be reportable cannot be confirmed nor denied if they are actually bad. The report system reasons need to be clarified or updated to say the least.