Summary
In a bid to combat cheating and uphold the integrity of its environment,League of Legendshas fully implemented the Vanguard advanced anti-cheat system, while also announcing new Hardware ID bans for the first time. This new measure, targeting cheaters' entire PCs rather than just their accounts, marks a significant escalation in Riot Games' efforts to address cheating and botting inLeague of Legends.
League of Legendsis a highly popular MOBA video game developed and published by Riot Games. Players assume the role of uniqueLeague of Legendscharacters known as champions, each with their own abilities, and compete in teams to destroy the opposing team’s base while defending their own. The game combines elements of strategy, teamwork, and skill. Since its release over 10 years ago, the game has struggled with cheating issues that Riot Games is finally addressing.
Alongside the increased presence of Riot Games' advanced anti-cheat system, Vanguard, inside ofLeague of Legends,comes the introduction of hardware id bans. Vanguard operates at the kernel level of players' PCs, granting it deep access to the system to detect and prevent unauthorized software and cheats. While this level of access has raised privacy concerns among users, Riot Games argues that it is necessary to ensureLeague of Legends' fair and competitive gaming environmentby effectively identifying and eliminating sophisticated cheats that other systems might miss.
A chart shared by Phillip Koskinas, head of anti-cheat at LoL, shows the number of banned accounts inLeague of Legendsover a period from May 26, 2025, to June 07, 2025. It illustrates a significant increase in bans, particularly with the introduction of Vanguard around early May, leading to a substantial rise in banned accounts compared to the previous months. This suggests that Vanguard has become the primary tool for identifying and banning cheaters, reflecting Riot Games' intensified efforts to curb cheating in the game.
League of Legends Players' Concerns About Vanguard
However, the integration ofVanguard intoLeague of Legendshas not been without controversy. Some players have reported issues, claiming that the software is “bricking” their PCs. Riot Games, while acknowledging these reports, asserts that Vanguard is not causing the alleged hardware problems. They emphasize that they have not confirmed any instances of hardware being bricked by the software and suggest that reported issues may stem from other sources, such as incorrect BIOS settings. Riot has offered troubleshooting tips and encouraged affected players to reach out to support for assistance.
Through the implementation of hardware bans andconsistent updates toLeague of Legends, Riot Games demonstrates its dedication to ensuring an enjoyable experience for all players. Despite ongoing challenges posed by cheating, the developer remains committed to fostering a fair gaming environment.
League of Legends
WHERE TO PLAY
League of Legends is one of the best MOBAs in the world, allowing players to duke it out against each other or bots in a variety of game modes. There are tons of champions to choose from in LoL, with favorites like Yasuo, Graves, Nasus, Poppy, and more, with new champions like Vex and Viego recently joining the crew.
