In Marvel Rivals, the surrender option lets you and your team call it quits when a match seems unwinnable. This feature helps players avoid wasting time in games that feel hopeless. Instead of grinding through a painful match, you can move on to the next one and potentially have a more enjoyable experience. There is another option, too, which is leaving the game. But should you actually use it? What happens when you surrender and exit the game in Marvel Rivals? Here is the answer.

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How To Surrender a Match in Marvel Rivals
The surrender feature is only available in Competitive Play. When you initiate the surrender, the game will hold a vote in your team to accept the surrender or not. If just one person declines the surrender, the attempt will fail. Surrendering will give you XP loss, just like if you lose the game. Sometimes it’s -17 MMR, sometimes it’s more than -20 MMR, it depends on how long the game goes, really. Here’s how to surrender a match in Marvel Rivals:
- Open the pause menu during a match.
- Look for the Surrender option and select it to start a team vote.
- All teammates will receive a prompt to vote yes (F5) or no (F6).
- If the majority agrees, the match ends immediately and counts as a loss. If not, then the attempt will fail.



However, keep in mind a few important limitations when it comes to surrendering:
- You must play through one full round before surrendering. This helps you make a fair decision since game situations can change quickly.
- Each player can only start one surrender vote per round. This stops players from spamming surrender votes and keeps the team focused.
- Every new round allows players to start a new surrender vote. This means if your team decides against surrendering in one round, you can try again in the next.
- For a surrender to pass, the majority of your team must agree. If even one person votes no, the surrender won’t happen, especially in smaller teams.
What Happens When You Leave and Exit a Marvel Rivals Match?
Leaving a match (disconnecting or exiting the game) is handled differently than surrendering, with more serious consequences.

Early Match Leaving
If someone leaves before the match begins, Marvel Rivals will end the game early, and no penalties will be applied to any players. Meaning, the match effectively never happened.
Mid-Match Disconnections
If you disconnect during an active match, the game allows time for you to potentially rejoin. This period helps with internet drops or power outages. However, if you don’t rejoin, then you will receive leaver penalties, and your team must continue playing with one less player.
Away From Keyboard
The game detects inactive players based on no movement, no ability use, no interaction with objectives, or staying in the spawn area. After about 60 seconds of inactivity, a warning appears on the screen. If the inactivity continues, the player will be removed from the match, face matchmaking bans, possible rank penalties, and the same increasing punishments as players who leave early.
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Marvel Rivals Leaver Penalty System Explained
Marvel Rivals takes leaving seriously with an escalating penalty system. However, these penalties affect Competitive Modes only. Meaning, Practice and AI matches will remain accessible even after you leave the game:

Offense Warning | Penalty |
---|---|
First Offense | • Warning message • 5-minute matchmaking ban in ranked mode • Account flagged as “deserter” |
Second Offense | • 15-minute matchmaking ban |
Third Offense | • 30-minute matchmaking ban |
Persistent Offenses | • Up to 24-hour matchmaking restrictions |
Understanding the differences between these options helps you make better choices during frustrating matches. Let me show you a clear comparison:
Action | MMR Impact | Matchmaking Ban | Deserter Flag |
---|---|---|---|
Surrender (Team Vote Passes) | Points Lost | None | No |
1st Offense for Leaving the Match | Points Lost | 5 minutes | Yes |
2nd Offense for Leaving the Match | Points Lost | 15 minutes | Yes |
3rd Offense for Leaving the Match | Points Lost | 30+ minutes | Yes |
Persistent Offenses | Points Lost | Up to 24-hour | Yes |
As you can see, surrendering is always the better option when you want to exit a match early, as it avoids deserter penalties while still allowing you to move on.
When Should You Use Marvel Rivals Surrender Option?
While surrendering might seem like an easy way out, there are legitimate situations where it makes sense:
Good Reasons to Surrender
- A teammate has disconnected, leaving you at a disadvantage.
- Someone on your team is inactive or AFK.
- A player is intentionally sabotaging your team’s efforts.
- The score difference is so massive that a comeback is impossible.

In these cases, surrendering saves everyone time and reduces frustration. Why continue playing when the outcome is already decided?
When You Should Keep Fighting
However, giving up too soon might make you miss some of your best gaming moments. Try sticking it out when:
- The score gap is still manageable.
- Your team hasn’t tried different strategies or hero combinations.
- You’re still early in the match with plenty of time for a comeback.
- You want to practice playing from behind, which is an important skill for improving.
The Case Against Surrendering
Some Marvel Rivals players want the surrender system changed so that only a majority vote is needed, not a full team agreement. They say it’s unfair when one player stops everyone else from quitting a clearly lost match. But others think the game shouldn’t have a surrender option at all. Since matches are short, they believe players should keep trying and not give up early, as comebacks can still happen.
I think both sides make good points, but a majority-vote system seems like the better middle ground. It lets teams surrender when most agree it’s over, while still avoiding early exits from just a few frustrated players.

Many experienced players say it’s better not to surrender, and for good reason. Marvel Rivals has comeback mechanics that let teams turn things around fast. One strong team push or a well-timed combo of ultimates can flip the match in your favor. Some of the best moments in gaming actually come from surprise comebacks.
Ultimately, whether to surrender is a team decision. If there’s even a slim chance of winning, consider playing it out and do not give up. Remember that each surrender counts as a full loss in your competitive ranking. Sometimes spending an extra few minutes to try for a comeback is worth it, even if the chances seem slim. So, use it wisely by considering the match circumstances, your team’s capabilities, and whether the game is truly unwinnable.