Valorant Making Anti-Cheat Changes Following Major Ban Wave.

 Valorant Introduces Ranked Rollbacks to Combat Rising Hacker Issues

Riot Games is stepping up its fight against cheaters in Valorant by implementing ranked rollbacks, a new measure aimed at preserving fair gameplay amid a recent surge of hackers. In a bold statement, Valorant's head of anti-cheat, Phillip Koskinas, warned cheaters that Riot can now "hit so much harder" and explained the key details of this enhanced anti-cheat initiative.

The Cheating Problem in Online Gaming

Cheaters and hackers have long plagued popular online games like Valorant, Call of Duty, and others, disrupting fair play and frustrating legitimate players. While many studios deploy innovative anti-cheat solutions, cheaters often find new ways to exploit systems. Despite Valorant’s reputation for having one of the best anti-cheat mechanisms, the game has recently faced a wave of hackers, forcing Riot Games to adopt stricter measures.

Riot Games’ New Strategy: Ranked Rollbacks

Phillip Koskinas addressed the issue on Twitter, assuring the community that Valorant's development team is actively working to combat cheaters. One significant update is the introduction of ranked rollbacks, where rank progress will be reversed if a match was compromised by hackers.

Koskinas also shared a chart revealing a spike in bans made by Riot's Vanguard anti-cheat system in January, with the highest number of bans recorded on January 13, 2025.

“Saw a lot of Valorant cheaters accumulate over the holiday, but we're back and happy to be handing out their gifts. Cheaters don't take breaks, so thanks for letting us get a small respite—we can hit so much harder now. Soon, future bans will include ranked rollbacks,” Koskinas tweeted.

How Ranked Rollbacks Work

A notable concern was raised by a player about winning matches with cheaters on their team, as this might feel unfair to both opponents and teammates. Koskinas clarified that teammates of hackers will retain their rank rating, while the enemy team will have their rating restored. Although this approach could create slight rank inflation, Riot believes the system is fair and sustainable.

Vanguard: A Leading Anti-Cheat Solution

Valorant's Vanguard system is known for its effectiveness in detecting and banning cheaters, thanks to its kernel-level security clearance. Other popular games, like Call of Duty, have adopted similar strategies to combat hackers, but the battle against cheaters remains ongoing.

Riot Games has previously banned thousands of cheaters, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining a fair environment for players. While cheaters may adapt, Riot’s dedication to improving its systems—like ranked rollbacks—offers hope to players frustrated by hackers in ranked matches.

A Brighter Future for Valorant Players

As Riot Games continues to enhance its anti-cheat measures, the introduction of ranked rollbacks is a promising step toward ensuring fair play in Valorant. Whether this new technique will effectively curb the rise of hackers remains to be seen, but Riot’s proactive approach demonstrates its dedication to preserving the competitive integrity of the game.