Understanding PUBG Mobile Merit System in 2026
The Merit System is PUBG Mobile's core fair play enforcement, impacting game mode access, rewards, and account standing. Everyone starts at 100 Merit—the max score unlocking full functionality and bonus rewards.
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What Is Merit Score and Why It Matters
Merit points determine three critical aspects: available modes, reward multipliers, and ban vulnerability. 100 Merit = 200 Battle Point daily max increase, accelerating seasonal progression and Battle Pass tiers.
The system tracks violations across rolling 7-day windows—recent behavior weighs more than history. This creates escalating consequences for repeated violations in short timeframes.
How Merit System Changed in 2026
November 19, 2025 Rules of Conduct introduced standardized 30-day bans specifically for teamkilling, replacing ambiguous penalty structures. Most significant enforcement change since Merit System's Version 1.8 introduction.
Updated system maintains 100-point max/0-point min framework but applies consistent penalty durations. Predictable ban lengths replace variable suspensions.
Merit Level Requirements for Game Modes
Merit thresholds create hard barriers:
- Below 60 points: Solo mode only—Duos/Squads completely blocked
- 60-90 points: 30% reduction in Battle Points and Experience Points
- Below 60 points: 50% reward reduction
These cumulative penalties significantly slow account progression, affecting seasonal rank and cosmetic unlocks.
Team Kill Ban Thresholds: The Exact Numbers
PUBG Mobile uses graduated penalties, not X kills = permanent ban formulas.
Temporary Ban Triggers: 1-Day to 30-Day Suspensions
Escalation pathway:
- 0 Merit = automatic 7-day ban
- November 2025 added 30-day ban for teamkilling patterns
System-detected deductions:
- First incident (7 days): 10 Merit
- Second incident (7 days): 15 Merit
- Third+ incidents: 30 Merit each
Reported team kills:
- First report: 20 Merit
- Second report (7 days): 30 Merit
- Third+ reports: 60 Merit each
Permanent Ban Threshold: Critical Team Kill Count
No specific count guarantees permanent termination. System applies escalating temporary bans. Permanent bans reserved for extreme pattern abuse or combination with cheating.
Starting at 100 Merit, you could trigger 7-day ban with two reported kills in 7 days (20 + 60 = 80 deducted, leaving 20) plus one more (60 points, reaching 0). Worst-case scenario with all reports.
How Merit Score Affects Ban Severity
Current Merit determines vulnerability. Players at 60-90 operate in yellow zone—single reported kill could drop below 60, triggering Solo-only restrictions and 50% reward penalties.
7-day rolling window creates recovery opportunity. Violations older than 7 days don't influence escalation tier for new incidents.
How Team Kill Penalties Are Calculated
Dual detection: automated system recognition and player reports.
Merit Point Deduction Per Team Kill Incident
System-detected kills use damage tracking algorithms. Clicking OK on friendly fire pop-up immediately processes Merit deduction.
Continuous friendly fire (3+ per week) triggers additional deductions beyond single-incident penalties, targeting harassment without full eliminations.
Impact of Player Reports on Ban Probability
Reports amplify severity substantially:
- First reported kill: 20 points vs 10 system-only (100% increase)
- Third incident: 60 points vs 30 unreported (double impact)
Reporting multiplier creates accountability. Teammate reports escalate consequence tier.
Intentional vs Accidental Team Kill Detection
System differentiates through behavioral pattern analysis:
- Damage dealt before elimination (sustained vs single shot)
- Player movement (pursuing teammate vs stationary)
- Weapon type (precision vs area-effect)
- Match timing (early-game vs final circles)
Accidental kills from grenades/vehicles typically get system-only detection. But repeated accidents in 7 days still escalate.
Frequency Factor: Time Between Violations
7-day rolling window = critical recovery period. One kill then 8 days clean gameplay resets violation tier—next counts as first offense (minimum 10/20 points).
Rewards behavioral improvement, prevents permanent stigmatization from isolated incidents. Must maintain clean play for full weeks to escape escalation.
Warning Signs Before Permanent Ban
Multiple indicators appear before account termination becomes likely.
Merit Score Red Zones (Below 60 Points)
Below 60 Merit triggers immediate restrictions:
- Solo-only mode (no squad matchmaking)
- 50% reduction in Battle Points and Experience Points
Progression slowdown signals Merit problems through dramatic reward decrease.
Temporary Ban Escalation Pattern
- First violation: 90-80 Merit, 30% reward reduction
- Second violation: 70-50 Merit, Solo restriction, 50% penalty
- Third violation: 0-20 Merit, 7-day ban imminent
- Fourth violation/0 Merit: 7-day ban executes
30% reward reduction = first escalation tier, indicating 1-2 recent violations.
System Warnings and Notification Messages
Friendly fire warnings require acknowledgment, creating forced awareness. Post-match Merit change notifications show exact deductions, revealing whether incidents got player reports (larger) or system-only (smaller).
Common Team Kill Scenarios and Penalties
Accidental Grenade Throws in Squad Play
Explosives create highest accidental risk. Poor timing during building assaults frequently eliminates teammates pushing through doorways.
Typically receive system-only detection (10-30 points) when teammates recognize accidents. Repeated grenade kills in 7 days trigger frequency penalty regardless of intent.
Vehicle-Related Team Kills and Consequences
Second most common accidental source. Running over teammates during extractions or knocking with doors creates unintentional eliminations.
System treats vehicle kills identically to weapon eliminations—no special consideration for accident-prone physics.
Crossfire Incidents: Do They Count?
Team damage from crossfire accumulates toward continuous friendly fire threshold (3+ per week) even without eliminations. System tracks cumulative damage—multiple low-damage incidents across matches can equal one kill's penalty.
Trolling vs Mistakes: How System Differentiates
Intentional patterns:
- Immediate kills at match start (before loot)
- Kills following voice arguments/item disputes
- Multiple kills within single matches
- Precision weapon kills at close range
These get maximum escalation plus higher reporting rates. Combination creates rapid Merit depletion—potentially 0 points in 2-3 matches.
Proven Strategies to Avoid Team Kill Bans
7 Communication Tips for Squad Coordination
- Call grenade throws: Announce frag out 2-3 seconds before releasing
- Establish firing lanes: Assign left/right/center zones to prevent crossfire
- Use directional callouts: Enemy north not over there
- Announce vehicle movements: State driving forward before operating near teammates
- Coordinate building entries: Designate point person for breaches
- Verify targets: Confirm enemy before engaging peripheral movement
- Report low health: Teammates knowing your damage avoid risky plays
Weapon Safety Practices in Close Quarters
- Maintain trigger discipline when teammates cross sight line
- Switch to single-fire in confined spaces
- Avoid shotguns/SMGs when teammates engage same target within 5m
- Position at different vertical levels for safe firing angles
- Reload during teammate engagement windows
How to Handle Toxic Teammates Safely
- Mute voice chat immediately when arguments begin
- Separate geographically—land at different compounds
- Record gameplay when toxic behavior starts
- Exit vehicles before toxic players enter
- Never retaliate—system penalizes both equally
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Settings Adjustments to Prevent Accidents
- Enable teammate outline highlighting
- Increase aim sensitivity for faster target verification
- Activate friendly fire damage indicators
- Use colorblind mode if standard colors blend with environment
- Enable quick chat wheel for faster cease fire communication
Merit Restoration After Team Kill Penalties
Timeline for Merit Point Recovery
Merit restoration based on match performance:
- Top 1-10 finish: +3 Merit
- Top 11-50 finish: +2 Merit
- Top 51-100 finish: +1 Merit
60 to 100 Merit requires 14 Top 1-10 finishes (40 points ÷ 3, rounded up) = 14-20 hours gameplay. Lower placements extend recovery—40 Merit through Top 51-100 needs 40 matches (40-60 hours).
Active Methods to Rebuild Merit Score
Solo Mode Focus (below 60 Merit):
- Avoid hot drops for Top 50 placement
- Edge-of-circle positioning
- Vehicle acquisition for rotation
- Avoid engagement until Top 25
Performance Consistency (Top 50/Top 10):
- Study flight paths for low-traffic zones
- Master circle prediction
- Maintain full health/boost
- Carry adequate healing (5 first aids, 10 bandages)
Match Volume: 5-10 matches daily accelerates recovery vs sporadic sessions.
What NOT to Do During Recovery
- Avoid squad invitations: Custom rooms don't award Merit
- Don't abandon early: Forfeits placement Merit gains
- Skip revenge attempts: Risks poor performance
- Resist aggressive playstyles: High-kill early deaths = 0 Merit
Single additional kill during recovery deducts 10-60 points, erasing days of progress.
Ban Appeal Process and Success Rates
When Appeals Are Worth Submitting
Highest success scenarios:
- Technical glitches: Server lag causing vehicle eliminations despite inactivity
- Teammate intentional positioning: Recorded evidence of deliberate line-entering
- False positive detection: Enemy elimination coinciding with teammate death from other sources
- Account compromise: Evidence of unauthorized access during violation
Appeals for accidental kills without evidence rarely succeed—system penalizes accidents and intentional violations equally.
Required Evidence for Successful Appeals
- Video recordings: Full match footage 30 seconds before/after incident
- Screenshot sequences: Teammate positioning, damage indicators, elimination feed timestamps
- Communication logs: Voice/text showing coordination or teammate acknowledgment
- Account security evidence: Login locations, IP logs, device info proving unauthorized access
Appeals without supporting evidence receive standard rejections.
Average Response Times in 2026
- 7-day bans: 3-5 business days (potentially beyond ban duration)
- 30-day bans: 5-10 business days
- Permanent bans: 10-15 business days with senior review escalation
Submit immediately after ban notification. Successful appeals don't compensate for lost Merit—restoration requires manual gameplay.
Protecting Your PUBG Mobile Account Investment
Why Merit Matters for Accounts with UC Purchases
50% Battle Point reduction for sub-60 Merit directly slows Royal Pass progression, potentially preventing completion before seasonal resets.
7-day/30-day bans prevent participation in limited-time events or seasonal challenges, permanently locking out content despite financial investment.
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Account Value Preservation Best Practices
Regular Merit Monitoring: Check before each session—helmet icon on Lobby screen left > Tier upper right > Tier Overview > ? icon right of Merit. Note: Merit displays in UTC (add 9 hours for KST).
Squad Member Vetting: Play with established friends/clan vs random matchmaking.
Gameplay Recording: Enable recording for all squad matches.
Violation Documentation: Track incidents noting date, circumstances, Merit deduction.
Financial Investment Tracking: Maintain UC purchase records, Elite Pass subscriptions, premium crate openings.
Accounts valued over $100 in UC should implement all measures—recovery cost of permanent ban exceeds preventive time investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many team kills result in a permanent ban in PUBG Mobile 2026?
No specific count triggers permanent bans. System applies escalating temporary bans: 7-day at 0 Merit, 30-day for patterns per November 2025 Rules. Permanent bans reserved for extreme repeated violations with other offenses.
What is the merit score threshold to avoid bans in PUBG Mobile?
Maintain above 60 points to avoid Solo-only restrictions and 50% reward penalties. 0 Merit = automatic 7-day ban. Target 70+ as buffer—single reported kills deduct 20-60 points based on 7-day history.
Can you get banned for accidental team kills in PUBG Mobile?
Yes—system penalizes all kills regardless of intent. Accidental eliminations receive identical deductions. System-detected: 10-30 points; reported: 20-60 points based on 7-day frequency.
How long does a team kill ban last in PUBG Mobile?
0 Merit = 7-day suspension. November 2025 Rules specify 30-day bans for established patterns. No permanent ban for team kills alone—only escalating temporary suspensions.
How do you restore merit points after team kill penalties?
Earn through placement: Top 1-10 = +3, Top 11-50 = +2, Top 51-100 = +1. 60 to 100 Merit needs ~14 Top 10 finishes or 40 Top 50 placements. Requires violation-free survival-focused gameplay.
Does team damage count towards ban thresholds in PUBG Mobile?
Yes—continuous friendly fire (3+ per week) triggers Merit deductions separate from eliminations. Accumulated crossfire damage counts toward thresholds even without kills.
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