Without any doubt, smurfing has been a real headache for competitive games in the ranked matches. You drop into what should be a fair Bronze or Silver lobby, ready to improve, and then instantly wiped by a level 200 Spider-Man who’s only farming low-rank players for warm-up. It’s not fun or fair, and it has been one of the biggest problems in Marvel Rivals since launch. But finally, the developers have decided to do something about it.
NetEase is Finally Fighting Against Smurfs
They Did It. NetEase Actually Did It. Smurfing…
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NetEase has made smurfing a bannable offense, and for anyone who cares about ranked integrity, this is the best move the game could’ve made right now. Players can now report smurfing in-game, and these reports will result in major consequences. That’s something we rarely see in the competitive multiplayer space, especially this early in a game’s life cycle.
Looking at the bigger competitive scene, major titles like Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 still don’t care about smurfing, and it really disappoints me. It’s so baked into those communities that it’s almost considered normal. And to be honest, that’s the problem. High-tier players create new accounts to stomp beginners, completely destroying the point of ranked matchmaking. You’re not testing your skill, but making the game miserable for everyone trying to play legitimately. That’s why what Marvel Rivals is doing right now deserves a great clap — it sends a message that the devs care about everyone active in Marvel Rivals.
Marvel Rivals Has Done What Others Haven’t
Of course, this doesn’t mean smurfs are going to disappear overnight. There will still be people trying to slip through the cracks, and no system is flawless on day one. But that’s not the point. The point is, NetEase is willing to take a clear, public stance against a major concern that most other games just accept as part of the package. That alone is a big step forward.
Regarding the community, Reddit threads, Twitter posts, and Discord chats have all lit up with praise for this move. Competitive players finally sense that the developers are on their side, like the game is being built with them in mind, not just around them. It’s a morale boost for everyone who wants to see Marvel Rivals become a popular, long-term competitive title.
The foundation is here now. What comes next is to refine the system, tighten up matchmaking, and continue to respond to player feedback. If NetEase keeps this energy and stays engaged with the community, ranked in Marvel Rivals would be no surprise to become something special, not simply another grind, but a true test of skill where every match matters and every player belongs. So yes, smurfs beware — your free ride is over.
