Riot Games has implemented a new anti-cheat system called Vanguard in League of Legends on May 1st. But players are debating its effectiveness and safety.
Let’s explore the pros and cons of Vanguard based on the initial data shared by Riot.
What is Vanguard?
Vanguard is a kernel-level driver and client software developed by Riot to combat cheaters across their titles.
It runs in the background while the game is active and monitors for unauthorized third-party software.
Vanguard was first implemented in Riot’s tactical shooter Valorant replacing Packman.
In response to its success, Riot has decided to launch Vanguard, aimed specifically at targeting the hacks, scripts, and bots that have been plaguing League of Legends.
How does Vanguard Work in League of Legends?
- Vanguard runs in the background whenever the League Client is open.
- Players must keep it active during games.
- If you try to exit Vanguard, you won’t be able to access League.
- Players cannot uninstall Vanguard and still access the game.
- Vanguard will forcibly close the League if cheating is detected, penalizing offenders.
The League of Legends version of Vanguard will differ from Valorant’s based on the types of cheating in each game.
Is Vanguard Effective in Catching Cheaters?
According to data shared by Phillip Koskinas, Head of Anti-Cheat at Riot Games, Vanguard has significantly increased the number of banned accounts compared to the previous system.
On May 20, 2024, over 3,000 accounts were banned in a single day, the highest recorded during the period from March 16 to May 20, 2024.
Interestingly, Koskinas mentioned that a considerable portion of these bans occurred in the Master tier or higher ranks, suggesting that Vanguard is effectively targeting high-level cheaters.
In addition to Vanguard, Riot has also implemented hardware ID bans, making it more difficult for banned players to create new accounts and continue cheating.
Does Vanguard Raise Privacy and Security Concerns?
While Vanguard’s effectiveness in catching cheaters is evident, some players have raised concerns about its potential impact on privacy and security.
Since Vanguard operates at the kernel level, it has access to low-level system components, sparking fears about excessive data collection or vulnerability to hacking.
Riot has assured players that Vanguard adheres to regional data privacy laws and does not collect or send any personal information to Riot servers.
However, the company acknowledges the challenges in achieving perfect compatibility with every program, leading to occasional crashes, blue screens, or software conflicts.
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