Even in the most intense competitive matches of Valorant, real-life interruptions can strike. Whether it’s an urgent appointment, a sudden emergency, or an unexpected distraction, players sometimes find themselves needing to leave a game early.
While Valorant’s design prioritizes competitive integrity and full participation, there are indeed ways to exit a match, each with its own set of procedures and consequences.
Standard Methods for a Graceful Exit
For most game modes, leaving a Valorant match is a straightforward process through the in-game menu:
In Regular and Custom Games:
- Open the Main Menu: During your match, press the ESC key to bring up the settings menu.
- Find the Gear Icon: In the top-right corner of the screen, click on the gear (settings) icon.
- Select “Leave Match”: Click on the “Leave Match” option. A confirmation prompt will appear; select “Yes” to exit the match and return to the main menu.
While it’s possible to force-close the game using Alt+F4 or by shutting down the client, this abrupt method is highly discouraged. It can lead to harsher penalties and significantly disrupt the experience for your teammates.
In Practice Range or Custom Modes:
The process for leaving these less-consequential modes is identical: press ESC, click the gear icon, and then select “Leave Match.” You’ll be brought directly back to the lobby with no penalties, as these modes lack competitive stakes.
On Console:
For console players, the method is similar: press the options button on your controller and select “Leave Match” from the menu overlay.
Why the “Leave Match” Button Might Be Locked
You might notice that in Competitive or Unrated matches, the “Leave Match” button sometimes appears locked or greyed out. This is a deliberate design choice by Valorant. The game imposes penalties for early departures to uphold the integrity of its ranked and unrated games.
Players who abandon standard matches put their team at a significant disadvantage and can face escalating consequences, including timeouts from the game queue, XP penalties, and even Rank Rating (RR) losses for repeated offenses.
The Team-Oriented Alternative: The Surrender Option
If your team finds itself in an unwinnable situation, perhaps due to a player disconnection or overwhelming enemy performance, the game offers a surrender system:
- Initiate a Surrender Vote: You can start a surrender vote by typing /ff, /surrender, or /concede in the in-game chat. Alternatively, you can access the surrender button from the in-game menu.
- Team Vote: For a surrender to be successful in Competitive matches, all remaining teammates must agree. In Unrated matches, a majority vote is sufficient.
- Outcome: If the vote passes, the match will end at the start of the next round, with all remaining rounds automatically counted as losses for your team.
Understanding the Penalties for Leaving
Leaving an ongoing Valorant match, especially in core game modes, is generally discouraged due to the following consequences:
- Time Penalties: Players who frequently leave or go AFK will face escalating timeouts, preventing them from queuing for new matches for a set period.
- XP and RR Loss: Abandoning matches can result in a loss of experience points and, crucially, a reduction in your Ranked Rating (RR) in competitive modes.
- Reputation Impact: Consistent leaving can negatively affect your matchmaking reputation, potentially making it harder to find quality matches and teammates in the future.
Pro Tips for Responsible Gaming
- Commit to the Match: Only queue for longer matches like Unrated or Competitive if you have sufficient time to commit to the entire duration.
- Opt for Shorter Modes: If you anticipate needing to leave early, consider playing shorter, less consequential modes like Spike Rush or Deathmatch, which have fewer repercussions for early exits.
- Communicate with Your Team: While emergencies happen, a quick message to your team explaining your departure can help ease their frustration and maintain goodwill.
Conclusion
While Valorant provides methods for leaving a match in emergencies, it’s essential to understand that these actions come with serious in-game consequences, particularly in core game modes. Utilizing the official menu, the surrender system, or, as a last resort, force-closing the game are your options.
However, remember that consistency and respect for your teammates are fundamental tenets of the Valorant experience, contributing to a healthier and more enjoyable community for all.
Written by:
Christian