Sometimes a Valorant match becomes unwinnable, and surrendering is the best option. This is a better alternative than leaving a game and incurring penalties. Riot Games limits surrender votes to once per half to prevent spam, so use them wisely.
How to Surrender in Valorant
There are two ways to start a surrender vote:
Method 1: Using the Menu Press ESC while in-game and click the Surrender button at the bottom right of the Match tab.
Method 2: Using Chat Commands
Press Enter to open chat and type one of these commands: /surrender
, /ff
, /concede
, or /forfeit
.
When Can You Surrender?
You can only call a surrender vote starting in round 4, and the vote will activate at the beginning of round 5. Each team gets one surrender vote per half, so use it wisely. You cannot surrender during the first three rounds.
Once the vote is called, your teammates need to vote. Press F5 to vote yes (shown in green) or F6 to vote no (shown in red). You can also type /yes
or /no
in chat. If someone doesn't vote, it counts as a no.
Voting Requirements
The voting requirements differ between game modes. In competitive or ranked matches, you need a unanimous vote - all five players must agree to surrender. In unrated modes, you only need 80% agreement (4 out of 5 players).
If the surrender vote fails, you'll have to wait until the second half of the match to try again. This is why communication with your team is crucial before calling a vote.
When Should You Surrender?
Common reasons to surrender include having an AFK or disconnected teammate, multiple teammates intentionally throwing, or facing an insurmountable score difference like 0-10. Sometimes toxic teammates can ruin the experience to the point where continuing isn't worth it.
Remember that surrendering still counts as a loss and affects your rank rating. However, it saves time and mental energy compared to playing out a hopeless match.
Valorant Remake Option
If a player disconnects or is AFK at the start of a match, you can call for a remake instead of surrendering:
How to remake:
- Type
/remake
in chat during round 2 - All connected players must vote yes
- The match ends with no RR (Rank Rating) changes
Remake requirements:
- A player must be disconnected during round 1
- Can only be called in round 2
- All connected players must agree
- No penalties or RR loss for anyone
This is better than surrendering because nobody loses rank points. After round 2, remake is no longer available and you must use the surrender option instead.
What Happens When You Surrender?
When you surrender, the match immediately ends and counts as a loss on your record. You'll lose RR (Rank Rating) just as if you had lost the match normally, and your MMR (Matchmaking Rating) will decrease. The good news is there are no additional penalties beyond what you'd get from a regular loss.
Tips for Surrender Votes
Always communicate with your team before calling a surrender vote. Since you only get one per half, timing is crucial. Consider alternatives first - sometimes a timeout or strategy change can turn things around. Remember that even 3-9 comebacks are possible in Valorant, so don't give up too early.
Conclusion
Knowing how to surrender in Valorant is essential for managing your time and mental health. While you should always try to win, sometimes it's better to move on to the next match. Use surrender votes strategically and remember that everyone has bad games.
For more Valorant guides, check out our articles on improving your gameplay or understanding penalties.