How to Spot a League of Legends Smurf

Have a suspicion that your recently matched teammate or opponent is not who they claim to be? Here are several methods to spot a smurf in your League of Legends game!

If you're a novice League of Legends player, chances are you've encountered a smurf without even realizing it. And no, we're not talking about those adorable blue creatures. A smurf account refers to a secondary account owned by a skilled summoner who already possesses a high-level primary account.

To provide some context, let's delve into a brief internet history lesson. The term "smurfing" originated in 1996 when two exceptionally talented players, Geoff 'Shlonglor' Frazier and Greg 'Warp!' Boyko, dominated the game Warcraft II to such an extent that other players would instantly recognize their usernames and opt to avoid playing against them. To maintain anonymity, Frazier and Boyko created new accounts named PapaSmurf and Smurfette, feigned incompetence, and then proceeded to crush their unsuspecting opponents.
While playing alongside or against a smurf can be exhilarating and challenging, newer players should not feel disheartened, thinking they lack skill in the game. Instead, they should realize they may be facing formidable opponents. Now that you understand what smurfs are, here are some handy tips and tricks to identify them during your matches!

Unusual Username Choices

One noticeable trend in smurfing and trolling is the choice of usernames. You may observe that smurf accounts often possess eccentric or peculiar usernames since players can experiment freely without the fear of being stuck with that name on their primary account. Such unconventional names might cause opponents to let their guard down against an opponent they perceive as less threatening.

Fraizer, the original smurf mentioned earlier, once recounted an experience where he and Boyko encountered a smurf named "Spiderman" who turned out to be another skilled player incognito. Frazier underestimated him and suffered an early defeat. Additionally, there are websites where players can purchase high-leveled yet unranked accounts specifically for smurfing, as leveling a new account from scratch can be incredibly time-consuming.
These accounts are easily recognizable due to their randomly generated name formulas, often consisting of a word or two followed by a random number, such as GreenAlpaca29. As they are commonly associated with boosted accounts or accounts bought by lower-ranked players, they can pose a problem in the game.

Off-Meta Builds

If you encounter a player with an off-meta build, it's natural to assume that they have no clue what they're doing and reminisce about those who mindlessly wander into random lanes while speed-building Trinity Force. However, some proficient players use their smurf accounts to experiment with different team compositions or strategies without jeopardizing their hard-earned rank or incurring the wrath of bewildered teammates who fail to comprehend their tactics.

They may also opt for an off-meta champion to inject some excitement into their games, having already won numerous matches with standard builds. The positive aspect of this is that you can glean ideas from their unconventional choices and attempt to make them work once you have a better grasp of the game.

Excellent CS (Creep Score)

Pay close attention to the CS of both your teammates and opponents. CS, short for "creep score," indicates the number of minions a player has successfully slain. Many novice challengers prioritize defeating their primary opponents over farming minions, hoping to secure a swift victory, resulting in a low CS. However, smurfs understand the importance of effectively farming minions, especially when falling behind in a lane or aiming to accumulate sufficient gold for essential items.

A lot of these players using a smurf account usually buy their account online from websites like getsmurf.com instead of wasting time levelling to 30 themselves.