The competitive scene of Teamfight Tactics (TFT) has recently been shaken by the ban of Xunge, the Set 7 world champion and a prominent player in the community. He was sanctioned for playing six ranked games on a North American challenger account that belongs to another competitive player, with the latter's consent, on October 10. Xunge opted to play on the American server to practice with the new patch, which had not yet been released in China, in preparation for upcoming competitions. However, he was unaware that the American server employs a ladder snapshot system to determine tournament qualifications. This lack of awareness ultimately led to his unfortunate and controversial sanction.
In a message shared on Douyu, Xunge expressed his regret over the recent developments surrounding his ban. He revealed that he had been penalized for using another player's account on the American server, explaining that his intention was solely to enhance his competitive skills. However, he acknowledged that this decision inadvertently could affected this account ladder qualification for tournaments, despite the fact that it ultimately did not.
Xunge was taken aback to learn from the authorities about the ladder snapshot system implemented for qualifications on the American server. He emphasized his lack of awareness regarding these rules, stating, "Ignorance is no excuse," while referencing the full live-streaming of his gameplay.
Furthermore, he highlighted that he had neither profited from boosting nor had a history of infractions, questioning the severity of the punishment he received. He contrasted the more lenient competitive environment of the American server—where players can openly announce their compositions in chat and consult strategies in real-time—with the stricter regulations he faces in China.
Additionally, he lamented the absence of warnings or financial penalties in his case, expressing a sense of powerlessness in the situation.
This is not the first time Xunge has been banned. In fact, during the Super Server of set 5.5, there was a separate "Bounty Mode" on the server. Players could choose one of the five Lucky Divisions to compete and win money. Each day, the top X players listed in a division received prize money. Some divisions could be challenging, as they offered larger rewards for the top 1-3 spots. The points system required players to complete five consecutive games, with the total points summed up from these performances.
Xunge "abused" the League Client Ranked system by intentionally losing (or inting) at 88888. This then resulted in a lower "Lobby MMR," allowing him to achieve higher placements much more easily, such as 11111, in order to win the money as the first place in his division
However, this recent ban has sparked the most criticism, especially on Twitter (X), where the user Taner has relayed the entire drama (@CuewarsTaner—follow him, he deserves it <3). The severity of the sanction seems entirely disproportionate to the offense, particularly considering that playing on an account other than one's own is quite common in online games in China.
Furthermore, this ban comes at a time when Xunge was on the verge of competing in the TOC 9 Regional Finals, which is the equivalent of the GSC in the West—an ultimate competition that could potentially qualify him for Worlds. Having joined all the qualified players on-site, he participated in media day and began training when he learned that he could no longer compete due to the ban, resulting in him being sent home the following day.
Far from being discouraged, Xunge maintains a resilient spirit. He ironically remarked, "The good news is that the double champion is no longer alone, as I now bear the title of 'double banned'." In a less ironic tone, he also denounced HongLian, his "destined enemy" for playing on his girlfriend's account as well as another competitive player's account on stream.
Additionally, a Twitter account named "TFT Report Center" has emerged to spotlight similar cases in China, citing numerous players, some of whom are well-known and are even participating in the TOC9 Regionals. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the absurdity of the sanctions. For more information, you can check their account: https://x.com/tftreportcenter.
Despite the seriousness of the events, Xunge seems to maintain a calm and reflective attitude, approaching the situation with remarkable wisdom. He concludes his thoughts on the matter with these words:
"风雪压我两三年，我笑风轻雪如棉!"
which can be translated as, "After weathering storms and snow for the past two or three years, I now greet the gentle breeze and soft snow with a smile.
These words perfectly encapsulate Xunge's resilient mindset, offering a calm yet powerful reflection on the challenges he's faced, and his determination to move forward with grace. We eagerly look forward to seeing him compete again in the upcoming TFT set. For those who wish to follow and support him, you can catch his stream on Douyu at https://www.douyu.com/topic/GKS9?rid=216555&dyshid=1a946131-6d7af9d98c0ed7cba30801f500031601
