You might have been informed about the advantages of enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance your account security. However, the approach taken by VALORANT goes beyond merely preventing unauthorized access; it’s also part of a strategic move by Riot to address the issue of smurfing in the game.
MFA has been available in VALORANT for several years. Initially, users can opt to receive a verification code via email when logging in from an unrecognized device. For those seeking greater security, options include using MFA through the Riot Mobile app or an Authenticator app. With the forthcoming updates, Riot plans to leverage this system innovatively to tackle the growing problem of smurfing in the tactical shooter. Here’s what you need to know about their strategy.
How MFA Will Combat Smurfing in VALORANT
Beginning with Patch 11.09, Riot will require MFA for certain players in VALORANT. This requirement will target accounts identified by Riot as «shared accounts.» If you share your account with other players and such activity is detected, you will likely be mandated to enable MFA.
With smurfing being a prominent issue in VALORANT, the goal is to identify and restrict access to shared accounts, which Riot believes contribute significantly to this disruption. Accounts will be flagged based on a detection mechanism that assesses various factors to establish if multiple individuals are using the same account.
Moreover, accounts that are Ascendant rank or higher will also be required to enable MFA starting with Patch 11.10. This makes logical sense as restricting the sharing of high-rank accounts greatly deters the trading and selling of such accounts, thereby minimizing the occurrence of «rank boosted» players who may not truly reflect your skill level.
Nonetheless, this system will not mark a player for owning multiple VALORANT accounts, provided they are not shared with others. According to Riot, «This won’t entirely eliminate the problem, but we anticipate it will significantly reduce the number of accounts used for smurfing.» Targeting shared accounts first will allow them to then address other smurfing cases gradually.
Apart from combating smurfing, MFA adds an extra layer of security against individuals attempting to compromise your account credentials. Therefore, it is advisable to enable MFA for your VALORANT account, even if you do not share it with anyone.
Steps to Enable MFA for Your VALORANT Account
If your account has been flagged for account sharing or if you simply wish to enhance your account’s protection with MFA, follow these steps:
- Open the official Riot account login page using a web browser and log in with your credentials.
- In the Account Management section on the left, select Multi-Factor Authentication.
- If you haven’t enabled MFA yet, click on Enable next to your email address to enroll. You will receive a code in your email to activate basic MFA.
- Once this is done, options to enable MFA through the Riot Mobile or Authenticator app will be presented. If your account wasn’t flagged for sharing, no further action is required. However, if it was flagged, you must enable the Riot Mobile MFA option.
- To activate MFA using the Riot Mobile app, click on Activate near the option provided. Then, scan the QR code and follow the instructions to connect the app to your account.
While there is also the possibility to utilize an Authenticator app for MFA, if you have a flagged account or are ranked Ascendant or above, it is mandatory to activate the Riot Mobile app for MFA to continue playing VALORANT.
