The term smurfing is extremely ambiguous. So for the purpose of clarification let’s reiterate what is and what is not acceptable.
- Starting a new Blizzard BattleNet account and paying for a new license to play Overwatch is acceptable. Regardless of the account used, you are expected to play cooperatively and competitively to the best of your skill.
- Throwing games for any reason regardless of the account used is not acceptable. If anyone sees any player throwing games or sabotaging their teammates, they should report them using the in-game report form.
- Using any account in any matter to inappropriately boost up any account, whether it is that account they are using or boosting another account by grouping up is not acceptable.
Additional Information:
- Scott Mercer details on the development team’s stance and approach to handling disruptive behavior with suspected “smurf” accounts - Scott Mercer - 7/30/2020 - Reddit
- Jeff Kaplan again addresses that is not wrong to have an alternate account but to attempt to tank or boost your skill rating is - Jeff Kaplan - 9/13/2018 - Official Forums
- Jeff Kaplan reminds the community the difference between owning an alternate account, throwing and boosting - Jeff Kaplan - 6/14/2017 - Old Official Forums
- Jeff Kaplan gives a detailed explanation of the difference between owning an alternate account, throwing and boosting - 4/21/2017 - Old Official Forums
- Jeff Kaplan confirms intentionally de-ranking (even in a full group) is unacceptable and subject to action - Jeff Kaplan - 2/3/2017 - Old Official Forums