Please do something about smurfing

[ruemika-1737]

I never know the difference. I just assume that if you make another account = smurfing. Since you tend to not start out exactly where you left off.

But thank you for correcting me!

[Trando-11488]

@Zman-1493

I think smurfers do the same thing in Overwatch. They like to start their character from level 1 and work their way up to master, or Grandmaster.

This isn’t smurfing.

[MrNegotiator-2325]

@Soma-1413

Proof of what ? that people have to play up through the ranks after placements, When the person is ranked Masters there are 0 bronze players in their games.

Oh, I probably misunderstood your reply.

I was talking about Grandmaster+ players playing with Bronze players by using a Smurf account. On their normal account, yeah I agree that the same this happening is impossible under normal circumstances.

[Zman-1493]

Try to understand, I explained what some smurfers like to “do” not what smurfing “is”.

[Soma-1413]

@MrNegotiator-2325

I was talking about Grandmaster+ players playing with Bronze players by using a Smurf account. On their normal account, yeah I agree that the same this happening is impossible under normal circumstances.

But when they are playing bronze players they are not ranked Grandmaster+ they are ranked at most silver (the highest I’ve ever seen in Bronze games).
This is my point, Grandmaster+ never play in Bronze games. Period.
You have 0 knowledge that a player is even on an alt account much less that they are doing anything to remain low rank on the matches that these smurf threads complain about which is the ones where they lose to a better player, and that is all it is.

[MrNegotiator-2325]

@Soma-1413

But when they are playing bronze players they are not ranked Grandmaster+ they are ranked at most silver (the highest I’ve ever seen in Bronze games).

I agree, but behind that Smurf account placed in Silver, there still is a person who’s normally a Grandmaster+ player, which is the root of the problem at the end of the day.

@Soma-1413

You have 0 knowledge that a player is even on an alt account much less that they are doing anything to remain low rank on the matches that these smurf threads complain about which is the ones where they lose to a better player, and that is all it is.

Despite the fact that’s a huge generalization in the end, it has become easy for many to actually spot Smurfs after years of experience. Of course mistakes and outright false accusations are made, but that’s exactly why the players are officially encouraged to report suspicious behavior and nothing more, in order for each report to be manually examined by an expert who actually has all the statistics at their disposal to make a final decision (or at least this should be what’s happening as long as Blizzard is not guilty of outright false advertisement by dressing Overwatch’s potentially automated reporting system as a manual one).

[Soma-1413]

@MrNegotiator-2325

Despite the fact that’s a huge generalization in the end, it has become easy for many to actually spot Smurfs after years of experience. Of course mistakes and outright false accusations are made, but that’s exactly why the players are officially encouraged to report suspicious behavior and nothing more, in order for each report to be manually examined by an expert who actually has all the statistics at their disposal to make a final decision (or at least this should be what’s happening as long as Blizzard is not guilty of outright false advertisement by dressing Overwatch’s potentially automated reporting system as a manual one).

Correct and if a player is throwing report them.
If a player is playing ‘better than they should’ that is not against the rules (nor should it be), Losing to a better players should never be against the rules.

This is what these threads come down to is that people want to be able to report players for being better than them. That’s it, nothing more. There is no world where that is ok.

[ruemika-1737]

Adding on to this, even though I know I’m not part of the conversation ;

I don’t have any problem with people that are around the same skill level but better. I don’t just report people because “omg they landed a headshot!!!”

This topic wasn’t designed to say that players that are good deserve a report. This was a topic I created because I’ve had numerous games recently where people are under level (I’m talking brand new accounts) that have perfect movement, clear understanding of all abilities, and can easily roll an entire team 1 v 6.

And because these accounts are new and not technically “placed” they get matched randomly. The algorithm likes to match players of either the same skill level or same actual level (1-25). So when I end up with a brand new Lucio and the enemy team has a Zarya that’s level 2 and can easily manage a rather difficult hero, then yes, it’s unfair.

And this isn’t just me assuming that “because they’re good they MUST be a GM player.” It’s taking into account games I’ve played with people at the same skill level vs these games with players that are light years better than me.

This is my third year of this game. I’ve had a lot of time to see a ton of different players. It’s really not so hard to notice as it was when I first started.

[Soma-1413]

@ruemika-1737

This topic wasn’t designed to say that players that are good deserve a report. This was a topic I created because I’ve had numerous games recently where people are under level (I’m talking brand new accounts) that have perfect movement, clear understanding of all abilities, and can easily roll an entire team 1 v 6.

way to contradict yourself.
You want to be able to report better players is why you made this topic.
Yes they may be ‘much better’ but that’s fine, either way there is no world where it is ok to report someone for killing you in a game where their goal is to kill you.

[MrNegotiator-2325]

@Soma-1413

If a player is playing ‘better than they should’ that is not against the rules (nor should it be), Losing to a better players should never be against the rules.

True. Simply losing against better players shouldn’t be against the rules.

Losing against Smurfs though should be, even though it unfortunately isn’t outright and officially reportable for the time being (and I’m bolding this phrase because the devs did actually officially confirm that they consider Smurfing as a “problem” a few months ago and that they’re looking for solutions).

[Soma-1413]

@MrNegotiator-2325

True. Simply losing against better players shouldn’t be against the rules.

Losing against Smurfs though should be, even though it unfortunately isn’t outright and officially reportable for the time being (and I’m bolding this phrase because the devs did actually officially confirm that they consider Smurfing as a “problem” a few months ago and that they’re looking for solutions).

again you are contradicting yourself. you say losing to better players should not be against rules, but losing to smurfs (who are by definition better players) should be ? which is it , should every player that beats you be reportable or none ? I vote none.

[anon97289863]

@Soma-1413

Never happen

They are not only talking about comp, they are also including QP and it absolutely does happen in QP.

@ruemika-1737

I’m so tired of getting into a match, even in QUICK PLAY, where the enemy team has a level 1-25 Widowmaker that lands every single shot.

[MrNegotiator-2325]

@Soma-1413

again you are contradicting yourself. you say losing to better players should not be against rules, but losing to smurfs (who are by definition better players) should be ? which is it , should every player that beats you be reportable or none ? I vote none.

If you’re an actual Smurf, then I should have every single right to report you, no matter if you’re losing, winning, are in my team, or in the enemy team.

If you aren’t actually a Smurf and are just a great/lucky player, are transferring between platforms, etc., then no, I’ll be making a mistake if I report you.

That’s my train of thought.

[ruemika-1737]

I don’t see how I’m contradicting myself? I clearly said I’m fine with players that are OF THE SAME SKILL LEVEL OR SLIGHTLY BETTER.

There is a clear difference between a Gold Vs Plat-Diamond and a Gold Vs Masters and GM.

I really don’t understand why you believe it is fine or “okay” to be a great player and to play against people that are marginally worse.

I feel like a toddler in a boxing ring fighting against professional MMA fighters. It’s not an enjoyable experience lol.

[Soma-1413]

@ruemika-1737

There is a clear difference between a Gold Vs Plat-Diamond and a Gold Vs Masters and GM.

Correct, which is why the matchmaker does not put those together.

@ruemika-1737

I really don’t understand why you believe it is fine or “okay” to be a great player and to play against people that are marginally worse.

because every player has to rank up to their right skill rank, they don’t end up at high rank straight from placements.

If someone is throwing to remain at a low rank (never complained about) then report them for throwing (which is already against the rules). Being better than you at your (and their) current rank should never be against the rules.

[JimothyJohn-1949]

@ruemika-1737

I have no issue with people creating smurfs to reach THEIR skill level.

People who play on alt accounts to reach their skill level are not smurfs to begin with.