Valorant patch 11.09 has finally arrived with the long-awaited anti-smurf measures that could transform competitive integrity. Riot Games now requires accounts detected for sharing in North America, LATAM, Brazil, and Korea to enable multi-factor authentication through Riot Mobile to access Competitive queue—marking the strongest action yet against smurfing and boosting.
Table of Contents
Valorant 11.09 MFA Update: Key Details
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Patch Version | 11.09 |
| Release Date | October 28, 2025 (NA) / October 29, 2025 (Global) |
| MFA Requirement | Shared accounts in NA, LATAM, BR, KR |
| Affected Modes | Competitive queue only |
| Future Expansion | Ascendant+ required (Patch 11.10+) |
| Detection Method | Riot’s shared account detection system |
| Additional Bans | Purchased accounts used for boosting |
How MFA Combats Smurfing
Playing against smurfs is one of the most frustrating experiences in Valorant, and a sizable amount of this disruption comes from shared accounts. By requiring flagged accounts to enable Riot Mobile MFA, Riot expects smurfing to decrease significantly as account sharing becomes more difficult.
80-90% of stolen accounts have MFA disabled, and activating MFA will strengthen account security. If your account is flagged as shared, you’ll need to install Riot Mobile and complete a one-time verification linking your mobile device to your Riot account.
Who’s Affected and When
Starting patch 11.09, accounts detected for sharing must enable MFA immediately. Additionally, all Ascendant or above players will be required to add Riot Mobile MFA in an upcoming patch—targeting high-ranked players capable of inflicting the greatest harm when smurfing.
Riot is also banning accounts detected for boosting, with purchased accounts that have been used for boosting facing permanent bans starting this patch.
For more competitive gaming updates, visit our esports section.
Quality of Life Improvements
Beyond anti-smurf measures, patch 11.09 includes interactive object improvements. World interactions including switches, ropes, ziplines and ultimate orbs now use standard green highlight colors, while aiming can prioritize highlighted actions when multiple are possible.
Will This End Smurfing?
This won’t solve the problem entirely, but Riot expects this to make a meaningful dent to the number of accounts used to smurf. By condensing bad behavior on fewer accounts, detection systems should more easily identify remaining smurfs.
The Valorant community has long demanded action against smurfs, and patch 11.09 represents Riot’s most comprehensive response yet—combining technological enforcement with player reporting to protect competitive integrity.
FAQs
Do I need MFA if I have multiple accounts but don’t share them?
No, if you’re not sharing accounts, you won’t be asked for additional verification unless you’re Ascendant+.
When will Europe and other regions get MFA requirements?
MFA will roll out globally after the beta phase in NA, LATAM, BR, and KR is complete.
