Dota 2 game averages 12K MMR for the first time after crackdown on smurfs

Recently, the Dota 2 scene witnessed a record-breaking phenomenon. Players got to see the first-ever Dota 2 match where the average Matchmaking Rating (MMR) soared to an astounding 12K average MMR.

This significant achievement in the game’s history underscores the extraordinary skill level required to reach such a pinnacle. For the uninitiated, in Dota 2, MMR is a measure of a player’s skill level. Thus, to achieve an average MMR of 12,000 in a match, each of the ten participants must possess a rating close to this figure.

12K MMR Dota 2 game (Image credit: Quinn of Dota)

The First 12K MMR Dota 2 match
The milestone match boasted an average MMR of precisely 12,017. It featured nine professional players who are well-known in the Dota 2 community. This includes Topias “Topson” Taavitsainen, Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf, Oliver “skiter” Lepko, and Matthew “Whitemon” Filemon, among others.

The first 12k MMR average pub match ever was played 23h ago. https://t.co/z2EfwjFant #Dota2 pic.twitter.com/srKI1iSTp1

— Dota2ProTracker 🇺🇦 (@dota2protracker) January 21, 2024

The gameplay quality in this match was akin to that of professional tournament games. Undoubtedly, viewers were in for a treat with a spectacle of high-level strategies and exceptional plays.

Increasing Frequency of 12K MMR Matches in Dota 2
This event is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend in high-level Dota 2 play. Another notable match reaching 12,168 MMR featured players like Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi and Alimzhan “watson” Islambekov. These matches, primarily occurring on the European server, indicate a rising standard in professional Dota 2 gameplay. With better players and a crackdown on smurfs, more such high-rated games can be looked out for in the future.

Dota 2 pro players on a 12168 MMR game (Image credit: Dota 2)

Pro players’ smurf account bans
The increase in high MMR matches can be linked to Valve’s recent policy changes regarding smurf accounts. Smurf accounts, which are secondary accounts used by high-level players, often mask their true skill level, leading to one-sided games. In a proactive move, Valve began the crackdown on these accounts in Frostivus 2023. The developer spared no one, targeting professional players’ smurfs and normal players alike. This action led to the loss of alternative accounts for several well-known players, including Miroslav “Mira” Kolpakov, Magomed “Collapse” Khalilov, Hector “K1” Rodriguez, and others.

Even RTZ is on the cutting board
One noteworthy example is the blocked smurf account of Artour “Arteezy” Babaev. The player had created it back in 2014 and boasted over 7,000 hours of gameplay. The enforcement of this policy wasn’t without its controversies, though. Some players like Yatoro, the two-time TI Champion, expressed frustration over what they perceived as an uneven application of the rules.

With more pro players competing on their main account, the instances of matches exceeding 12000 MMR are becoming more frequent. In fact, the first player to breach the 13000 MMR threshold was Nuengnara “23savage” Teeramahanon in December 2022, a year since then.

As we move forward, the Dota 2 community can anticipate a new era where high-MMR Immortal ranked games become the norm, elevating the game’s true competitiveness to unprecedented heights. Furthermore, this evolution promises a more thrilling and challenging experience for both players and spectators alike.