League of Legends Smurf Accounts Explained: What Is A Smurf, Are They Bannable, and Buying vs Levelling

What is a smurf account? League of Legends smurf accounts are secondary accounts created by players to compete in lower ranks than their main account. Are they bannable? Not explicitly, but it can lead to penalties if it disrupts the game against less-experienced and lower-ranked players. Buying to use smurf accounts is risky as it violates Riot's Terms of Service.

We'll explain what smurfing is and what exactly is a smurf account. Plus, how they're used to play against lower-ranked players. And, what's better, buying smurf vs alt accounts that are used without affecting their main account's stats. 

What is a Smurf Account in League of Legends

Smurf accounts are created alternate accounts. They're an opportunity for high-ranked players to regain control over the game's matchmaking system with an account to play against lower-ranked players without affecting their main account's rank.

Why Do People Smurf in Games Like League of Legends and Valorant

Smurfing in League of Legends (and other online games) is one of the most common routes for even pro players to either practice new champions or playing with friends without the pressure and without risking their main account.

People also create a new account and smurf in games like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Valorant to get a fresh start on matchmaking and rank, to escape a main account that feels stuck or stressful, to make content (like climb challenges), or sometimes to dominate easier lobbies against less experienced players.

League is old, as it's been around since 2009. It's harder to master the ranking system, especially if you're a seasoned player in an online game that has so many high-level players. Because of this, smurfing happens. Why? Because smurfing allows players to enjoy a better gaming experience.

Why Players Create Smurf Accounts and Use Smurf Accounts in Gaming

One big reason behind smurfing is often due to resets and split cycles, which can make early-season games feel random, with skill levels temporarily mixed. When matches feel like chaos instead of competition, playing with another account looks like a cleaner path back to less stressful games

Also, smurfing has become an option to start a fresh account like a new player. It allows

Smurfs reduce emotional stakes. Losing on a main can feel like identity damage. With a smurf, it feels disposable, which makes experimenting and learning the game easier.

How to Make a Smurf Account (Or Get a Smurf Account)

You can either get a smurf account through a reliable third-party marketplace (like EB24) or create one to play at a lower level. These are merely created new accounts with new usernames on the gaming platform you're already using. 

Smurf Accounts vs. Alternative Accounts vs. Boosted Accounts vs. Botted Accounts

What's the difference between smurfing, alternative, and boosted accounts? A lot of smurfing accounts are created to play below real skill levels. Alternative accounts are typically used for convenience to practice new agents and roles. They're also used to play with friends with less pressure than playing competitively.

Boosted accounts usually belong to players who've paid someone to boost their rank. This typically involves account sharing, as the boosting service needs access to the player's account to do what needs to be done.

As for botted accounts, these are scripts or programs designed to level up and progress by automation. These are often used for fast-tracking to ranked-ready levels or mass-producing accounts for resale. These are the accounts developers watch for the most as they're deliberately exploiting their games and diminishing the experience of the entire player base.

Are Smurfed Accounts Bannable

Once upon a time, smurfed accounts didn't get nearly as much attention as boosted accounts did. Gaming giants such as Blizzard, Riot, and Valve once gave little thought to prevent smurfing, but this has recently changed due to the term's popularity within the gaming community.

Blizzard (Overwatch 2)

Blizzard's Overwatch 2 doesn't see players having another account as an automatically punishable offense, even though they feel smurfing harms match quality.  Its approach leans on matchmaking and competitive access requirements to idenfity experience players and move them into appropriate lobbies. The only time Blizzard takes direct action is when there's rulebreaking behavior that includes account sharing, boosting, and buying or selling accounts.

Epic Games (Fortnite and Rocket League)

Epic usually allows multiple accounts in Fortnite and Rocket League. They only take action when an account is used to break the rules or manipulate competition. This would apply if smurfing overlaps with account selling/sharing, cheating, boosting, intentional deranking, match manipulation, or ban evasion.

Riot Games (League of Legends, Valorant, TFT, Wild Rift)

According to Riot, as of the 2026 update, a detected smurfing account used in their games will face consequences once caught. In both League and Valorant, Riot’s approach is mostly detection-first: suspected smurfs get pushed toward their real level faster in League, and Valorant can place them into a separate matchmaking pool, while account sharing, account selling, and deliberate deranking remain bannable.

Valve (CS2)

Valve prefers using a structural approach in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), using Prime status, phone verification, and Trust Factor to add friction and improve match quality as an alternative to banning smurfs directly.

Buying vs Levelling

Leveling yourself to ranked eligibility takes time and lots of grinding. Some games use a specific account level while others require wins or a specific onboarding quest. Those requirements change often as publishers attempt to slow down throwaway accounts. This method requires several hours of dedication and patience, but you end up with an account that has a clean ownership history.

Buying an account skips the grind. However, the cost is driven by what the account comes with. Rank, region, cosmetics, and account age determine the price tag. Bare-minimum ranked-ready accounts are cheaper because they're easier to produce. Buying accounts also comes with a risk factor, as it usually violates publisher terms.

There is another option, which EB24 covers, that's a win/win for players looking into both options. Pay for a levelling service on your own account that avoids ownership transfer issues. This is the lower-risk route with the best options.

Choose to Smurf or Buy a Smurf Account?

Before opting to either smurf on your own or buy a smurfing account, start with a checklist. It should cover these key factors:

Hand-levelled vs. Botted

This is where checking an account's age and history matters. Botted accounts usually show unusually rapid progression and repetitive, low-impact match histories.  They consistently share AFK (away from keyboard) stats across many games.

Hand-leveled accounts usually show varied modes and human inconsistencies such as learning curves, gaps, and session patterns.

Account Transparency and Verification

Is the email address included? Is there a ban history? What about honor and reputation status? Legitimate sellers will post these whenever listing their accounts, including smurfed ones. Before buying anything, check if the server matches where you play. Also, what's included with the purchase? Is there Blue Essence or equivalent starting resources?

Verify Each Claim Before Paying

How do you verify each claim before paying? Ensure you check the account's legitimacy and the payment methods it accepts. It's highly recommended to search for reviews and feedback related to the seller you're dealing with. 

Smurfing FAQ

Are smurf accounts allowed?

To a degree, yes. As long as players don't manipulate the matchmaking system or ruin other players' experiences.

Will I get banned for having a second account?

Although Riot has taken a tougher stance against second accounts, it's primarily focused on rank manipulation and boosting. Having a second account is not the real problem. Using one to gain an unfair advantage that breaks the rules is.

Is buying a smurf account safe?

Not really. Buying, sharing, and selling accounts are frowned upon by game developers. The risk is greatly reduced when buying from a reputable seller who levels their accounts manually instead of using bots.

What's the difference between a smurf and a boosted account?

Skilled players create smurf accounts to play lower ranks for various reasons. Boosted accounts involve someone paying somebody else to play and increase their rank as a service.

Do smurf accounts get detected?

Yes. They can be detected by automated systems that analyze player behavior and account information.

Is smurfing bannable?

Under normal circumstances, no. The only time it's bannable is when it involves intentionally manipulating a game's matchmaking system and violating the game's rules.

Why is it called smurfing?

In gaming, the term has stuck as a reference to experienced players who create a new account to be matched against inexperienced players for easy wins. The term originated from Warcraft II players Shlonglor and Warp (when people saw their usernames as PapaSmurf and Smurfette).