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How Overwatch boosting works
In a common paid arrangement, a higher-skilled player logs into a customer’s account and plays Competitive matches to increase its rank. Rank manipulation can also involve arranged group play in which a stronger player substantially carries a lower-skilled player’s results. These are general descriptions, not endorsements of any service or claims about a particular seller.
Overwatch uses an internal matchmaking rating (MMR) to estimate skill and form matches. Blizzard says it aims to match players near a similar rating, though it may widen the range when a match cannot be filled promptly. The visible rank and the internal matchmaking inputs are related, but they are not interchangeable. As a result, a boosted displayed rank is not proof that the account owner has the skill level associated with it.
Is Overwatch boosting allowed?
Blizzard’s End User License Agreement (EULA) identifies paid in-game services as unauthorized unless Blizzard permits them. Its examples include “performing in-game services including, without limitation, account boosting or power-leveling, in exchange for payment.” The EULA also describes cheating as including unauthorized methods that influence gameplay and give an advantage over other players. Read Blizzard’s EULA.
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Blizzard’s EULA is the relevant policy source for paid account boosting; it does not establish a specific penalty or guarantee what will happen in an individual case. Policy language can vary or change, so consult the current EULA for your region.
Can you play Competitive with a higher-ranked friend?
Yes. Blizzard introduced Wide Groups so friends with widely separated ranks can queue for Competitive together. The tradeoffs Blizzard describes include longer queue times and matches in which opponents may have noticeably different skill levels. Rank-progression modifiers are intended to prevent a lower-skilled player from being directly boosted by a higher-skilled friend; depending on the skill gap, the lower-skilled player may receive little or no rank progression. Wide Groups are an official way to play together, not a paid rank service. See Blizzard’s Wide Groups announcement.
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Wide Group thresholds and live rules may change. Check the current in-game Competitive information for the requirements that apply to your group.
What action can follow from grouping with cheaters?
Blizzard says players who knowingly and regularly group with players flagged for cheating may also face account action, even if they do not cheat themselves. The stated concern is that repeated grouping can provide an unfair advantage, including boosting. This warning is about knowingly and regularly grouping with players flagged for cheating; it does not say that one match with an unfamiliar player automatically leads to action. Read Blizzard’s Defense Matrix update.
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How Blizzard describes smurfing and alternate accounts
Blizzard says it has worked to detect experienced players who start new accounts and move their MMR more quickly toward the level where they belong. The company describes smurfing as harmful to the experience of new players. That is a description of its system goals and actions, not a promise that every alternate account or boosting arrangement will be detected. Read Blizzard’s statement on smurfing.
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Boosting, coaching and Wide Groups compared
| Option | Who plays? | Purpose and policy context |
|---|---|---|
| Paid account boosting | A higher-skilled player accesses and plays on the customer’s account. | Raises the account’s rank through another person’s play. Blizzard’s EULA names paid account boosting among services prohibited without authorization. |
| Coaching | The player retains control of their own account and plays. | Teaches the player rather than substituting someone else’s play. Check the specific service against current Blizzard rules before assuming it is permitted. |
| Wide Groups | Friends play on their own accounts in a Blizzard-supported group queue. | Allows friends far apart in rank to play Competitive together, with queue and progression tradeoffs intended to limit direct rank gains across large skill gaps. |
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