Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Valorant agents Jett, Raze, and Killjoy walking toward the camera.
Image via Riot Games

‘How’s that fair?’: VALORANT players fear one rulebreaking group is getting away scot-free

A Vanguard limitation?

Even with one of the industry’s best anti-cheat systems, VALORANT isn’t exactly free of hackers. While Riot Vanguard manages to punish most offenders in the tactical shooter, the community isn’t satisfied with its nonchalance by letting those fueling the practice—players who pay to get boosted by cheaters—run free.

Recommended Videos

On May 19, a player shared their concerning experience against an enemy Jett who dropped 54 kills with 97 percent headshots in a ranked VALORANT game. Interestingly, while the cheating was “obvious,” they noted the cheater was grouping up with four other players not just once, but regularly. 

Jett pointing a Ghost at Phoenix in a VALORANT cinematic
A cheater Jett is scary to face. Image via Riot Games

After investigating their Tracker.gg pages, the player came to a concerning conclusion. “So it looks like the person with the cheats just switches accounts when the previous one is banned, and yet the people he’s boosting aren’t getting punished at all,” they shared. “Getting boosted is one thing, but getting boosted by a cheater? Every match is the same 4 people + the 40 kills & 90% hs cheater on different accounts.”

Cheating in video games is serious, but those who promote it without being a cheater themselves are equally at fault—and it looks like Riot isn’t doing enough to deal with the latter group. Needless to say, cheating will persist if we don’t eliminate the demand.

While Riot Vanguard does flag players who regularly play with cheaters, this report proves it may not be consistent enough. Also, anti-cheat bypassing techniques are evolving each day, so it’s not surprising, either.

Stressing that those who consistently play with cheaters should be equally punished, another player highlighted the need for an Elo refund system similar to Rainbow Six Seige, which gives back players their lost ranked points if a cheater is detected after the match ends. 

As great as the idea may seem, Riot hasn’t indicated any interest in adding such a feature to VALORANT—yet. It could help alleviate the community’s frustration, so the devs should probably look into it. 


Dot Esports is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Sharmila Ganguly
Sharmila Ganguly
Freelance Writer at Dot Esports. An enthusiastic gamer who bumped into the intricacies of video game journalism in 2021 and has been hustling ever since. Obsessed with first-person shooter titles, especially VALORANT. Contact: sharmila@dotesports.com