Why do I lose MMR for leaving in the picking phase?

[frank]

Legit, game has not even started yet. Sadly there was a power interruption and I could not get back in time. Lost 30 mmr on a game that hasn't even started yet. ZzZzZ wtf is this BS.

[Yuri Enthusiast]

Well yeah, its penalty for wasting everyone's time. Also, If leaving when picking phase happen is not penalized, I guarantee you bot will grief matchmaking

[Deepbluediver]

Originally posted by Yuri Enjoyer:

Well yeah, its penalty for wasting everyone's time. Also, If leaving when picking phase happen is not penalized, I guarantee you bot will grief matchmaking

People will also demand that other players a specific hero, and leave if they don't get it. So you'll have repeated queues where everyone demands that everyone else pick first, and then quits when they inevitable don't get their way.

[Duchess Minty]

If people weren't penalized for leaving during pick phase then you'd see people dodging each other or what they deem to be bad drafts nonstop.

[RadCon One]

Originally posted by Lady Mint:

If people weren't penalized for leaving during pick phase then you'd see people dodging each other or what they deem to be bad drafts nonstop.

Yep, I can see it now. Team A picks Meepo or phantom Lancer and Team B happens to get an Earth shaker so people on Team A quickly quit before the match even starts, repeating until they get enemies without a lot of AoE that they can punish.

OP, the game HAS already started at that point, I get your frustration (I've had abandons due to internet too), but the draft phase is arguable the MOST important part of the game in deciding who wins. Even an awful lanning phase were you lose all three lanes can be overcome if your draft just completely counters the enemy's.