Of course, let's dive into the world of running Riot Vanguard on Linux. This is a topic that has generated a lot of discussion and attempts within the Linux gaming community.
A Comprehensive Guide: Can You Even Run Vanguard on Linux?
Welcome, fellow Linux user! Are you looking to dive into the action-packed world of games like Valorant or League of Legends on your favorite operating system? You've probably heard about Riot Vanguard, the anti-cheat software that's a mandatory part of these games. If you've tried to just install the games through Wine or Proton, you've likely hit a brick wall.
So, let's get straight to the point: Can you run Vanguard on Linux?
The direct and simple answer is no, not in a way that allows you to play online. Riot Vanguard's kernel-level anti-cheat system is designed to have deep, low-level access to your operating system to detect and prevent cheating. It is specifically built for the Windows kernel and does not support the Linux kernel. This means that compatibility layers like Wine and Proton cannot properly run Vanguard. Riot has also been very clear that they do not support running their games in virtual machines, as this is also a known method for cheating.
Therefore, any method you use will require you to run a Windows environment. But don't worry, we're not going to leave you hanging! While there is no "native" Linux solution, there are workarounds that allow you to play these games.
Let's explore your options.
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| How To Run Vanguard On Linux |
Step 1: Understand the Core Problem
Before we get into the solutions, it's crucial to understand why this is so difficult. The issue lies squarely with Riot Vanguard. This is a kernel-level anti-cheat, meaning it runs at the deepest level of your operating system. It's like a highly trained security guard who needs a full security clearance to enter your home. On Linux, this security clearance is simply not granted to Vanguard.
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The Linux Kernel: Linux is built on a different core than Windows. Vanguard's kernel driver is written to interact directly with the Windows kernel.
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Security and Sandboxing: Tools like Wine and Proton are designed to create a "sandbox" for Windows applications. They translate Windows API calls into Linux equivalents. This is great for most games, but it creates a barrier that Vanguard is designed to detect and block. Vanguard sees this translation layer and immediately assumes something is wrong, often preventing the game from launching.
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VM Detection: Virtual machines with GPU passthrough used to be a viable option, but Vanguard has since implemented strong countermeasures to detect and block these environments.
So, now that we understand the challenge, let's look at the practical solutions.
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
Step 2: The Most Reliable Method - Dual Booting
This is the most straightforward and reliable way to play games that require Riot Vanguard. By installing Windows alongside your Linux distribution, you can choose which operating system to boot into when you start your computer.
Sub-heading: What you'll need
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A Windows 10 or 11 installation ISO.
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A USB drive of at least 8GB to create a bootable installer.
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A tool like Balena Etcher or Rufus to "burn" the ISO to the USB.
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Enough free space on your hard drive to create a new partition for Windows. A minimum of 60-100 GB is recommended for a comfortable gaming experience.
Sub-heading: The Step-by-Step Guide to Dual Booting
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Prepare the Windows Installation Media:
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Download the official Windows 10 or 11 ISO from the Microsoft website.
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Plug in your USB drive.
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Use Balena Etcher or Rufus to create a bootable Windows installation USB. Be careful: This will erase all data on the USB drive.
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Create a New Partition for Windows:
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In your Linux distribution, open your disk management utility (e.g., GParted, KDE Partition Manager).
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Shrink your existing Linux partition to free up unallocated space.
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Do not format this new space. Leave it as "unallocated."
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Important: Back up any important data before you start! Resizing partitions can be risky.
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Boot from the USB Installer:
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Restart your computer.
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As it boots, press the key to enter your BIOS/UEFI settings (common keys are F2, F10, F12, or Delete).
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In the BIOS/UEFI, set your USB drive as the first boot device. Save and exit.
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Install Windows:
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Your computer will now boot from the USB.
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Follow the on-screen instructions for the Windows installation.
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When you reach the "Where do you want to install Windows?" step, select the unallocated space you created earlier.
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Proceed with the installation. Windows will automatically create the necessary partitions and format the space for you.
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Set up the Bootloader:
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Once Windows is installed, you will need to re-enable your Linux bootloader (GRUB) to be the default.
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The Windows installer often takes over the boot process. You may need to use a live Linux USB to reinstall GRUB to your main drive.
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A simple way to do this is to boot from a live Linux USB, open a terminal, and run commands like
sudo mount /dev/sdXY /mnt(replacesdXYwith your Linux root partition) and thensudo grub-install --root-directory=/mnt /dev/sdX(replacesdXwith your main drive). Finally, runsudo update-grub. This can be a bit tricky, so look up a detailed guide for your specific Linux distribution if you're unsure.
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Play Your Games!
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Restart your computer. You should now be greeted by the GRUB boot menu, where you can select either Linux or Windows.
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Choose Windows, install Valorant or League of Legends, and enjoy the game!
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Step 3: The Less Recommended Method - GPU Passthrough with a Virtual Machine
This method is for the more advanced Linux user and requires specific hardware and a lot of configuration. It involves dedicating a physical GPU to a virtual machine (VM) so the VM can access it directly for gaming.
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
Sub-heading: Why this is difficult
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Hardware Requirements: You need a motherboard and CPU that support IOMMU (Input/Output Memory Management Unit) and VT-d/AMD-Vi virtualization technologies. You also need at least two GPUs (one for your Linux desktop and one for the VM).
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Vanguard Detection: As mentioned before, Vanguard has been updated to detect VMs and will likely prevent you from playing. While some users might find temporary workarounds, they are often patched quickly.
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Complexity: This is a very complex process that involves editing kernel boot parameters, configuring
libvirtandQEMU/KVM, and setting up a virtual network.
Sub-heading: A High-Level Overview of the Process
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Check for IOMMU and VT-d/AMD-Vi Support: Verify that your hardware and motherboard BIOS support these features.
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Configure the Linux Kernel: Edit your bootloader configuration (e.g., GRUB) to enable IOMMU and other necessary settings.
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Separate the GPU: "Isolate" the GPU you want to use for the VM from the Linux kernel so it's not used by your desktop.
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Set up the VM: Use a virtualization manager like
virt-managerto create a Windows VM. -
Passthrough the GPU: Configure the VM to pass through the dedicated GPU, USB devices, and other hardware.
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Install Windows and the Game: Install Windows on the VM, then install the game.
This method is not recommended for a beginner and should be approached with caution. The dual-boot method is far more practical for the average user.
10 Vanguard on Linux FAQ Subheadings
How to check if my PC supports GPU passthrough for a VM?
You need to check if your CPU and motherboard support virtualization technologies like Intel VT-d or AMD-Vi. You can often find this information in your motherboard's BIOS settings or by checking your CPU's specifications on the manufacturer's website.
How to fix the "VAN" error codes when running a game with Vanguard on Linux?
QuickTip: Skim for bold or italicized words.
You can't. The "VAN" error codes are a direct result of Vanguard detecting a non-supported environment, such as Wine, Proton, or a VM. These are not typically fixable without a native Linux client.
How to use Wine or Proton to run Vanguard?
You cannot. Wine and Proton are compatibility layers that do not provide the necessary kernel-level access that Riot Vanguard requires. Using them will result in an error or a complete failure to launch the game.
How to get a native Linux client for games with Vanguard?
Unfortunately, Riot Games has stated that they have no plans to release a native Linux client for their games that use Vanguard. The user base is considered too small to justify the development and maintenance costs.
How to improve performance when dual-booting to play Vanguard games?
To optimize performance in your dual-boot Windows installation, ensure you have the latest GPU drivers installed, close unnecessary background applications, and set the game's graphics settings to match your hardware's capabilities.
QuickTip: Return to sections that felt unclear.
How to create a bootable Windows USB from Linux?
You can use tools like dd in the terminal (be extremely careful with this command!), or a graphical tool like Balena Etcher. Balena Etcher is generally safer and more user-friendly.
How to install GRUB after installing Windows in a dual-boot setup?
You will need to use a live Linux USB to boot into a temporary environment. From there, you can use commands like chroot and grub-install to reinstall and update GRUB on your main drive.
How to find out if my Linux distribution is compatible with a dual-boot setup?
Virtually all modern Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, Manjaro, and Pop!_OS, support dual-booting. The process may have slight variations, but the core steps remain the same.
How to use a cloud gaming service to play games with Vanguard on Linux?
Unfortunately, most major cloud gaming services like GeForce NOW do not support games with kernel-level anti-cheat like Vanguard due to security and compatibility issues. This is not a viable option.
How to know if Riot Vanguard will ever support Linux?
Based on official statements from Riot Games, there are currently no plans for Vanguard to support Linux. Their focus remains on the Windows platform due to its overwhelming market share in PC gaming. The situation is unlikely to change in the near future.
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