{
  "schema": 1,
  "version": "2026.10.05",
  "updated": "2026-10-05",
  "levelHoundDriver": "test-signed (attestation signing pending)",
  "note": "What we know about each anti-cheat and Level Hound, as of October 2026. Nothing here has been verified on real hardware with a real game yet: every entry says \"not yet verified\" until it has been. Level Hound's own audio (WASAPI, the processing chain, the soundboard, ducking) runs in user mode and touches no anti-cheat. Only its virtual audio driver is a kernel driver, and until it is attestation-signed it needs Windows test-signing mode, which most kernel anti-cheats refuse.",
  "statuses": {
    "works": "Expected to work as is.",
    "safeMode": "Works with anti-cheat safe mode (no Level Hound driver in the path).",
    "needsSignedDriver": "Refuses Windows test-signing mode, which the Level Hound driver needs until it is attestation-signed. Remove the driver, turn test mode off and use VB-CABLE meanwhile.",
    "unknown": "Not enough known yet. Safe mode is the careful choice."
  },
  "antiCheats": [
    {
      "id": "vanguard",
      "name": "Riot Vanguard",
      "vendor": "Riot Games",
      "services": ["vgc"],
      "drivers": ["vgk"],
      "processes": ["vgc.exe", "vgtray.exe"],
      "testMode": "blocks",
      "secureBoot": "someGames",
      "status": "needsSignedDriver",
      "summary": "Kernel driver (vgk) that loads when Windows starts. Riot's support pages say Vanguard may refuse to run while Windows test signing or \"no integrity checks\" is on and tell players to switch both off; Vanguard also blocks some known-vulnerable drivers. On Windows 11 Valorant asks for TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.",
      "levelHound": "Valorant and League of Legends will not start while test mode is on, so the test-signed Level Hound driver cannot be used with them. Remove the driver (Health > Games and anti-cheat), turn test mode off, and Level Hound runs on VB-CABLE with everything else working.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Riot Support: Restore Windows security to its normal state", "url": "https://support.riotgames.com/riot/security/restore-windows-security-to-normal-state" },
        { "title": "Riot Support: What is Vanguard?", "url": "https://support-valorant.riotgames.com/hc/en-us/articles/360046160933-What-is-Vanguard" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "eac",
      "name": "Easy Anti-Cheat",
      "vendor": "Epic Games",
      "services": ["EasyAntiCheat", "EasyAntiCheat_EOS"],
      "drivers": [],
      "processes": ["easyanticheat.exe", "easyanticheat_eos.exe"],
      "testMode": "blocks",
      "secureBoot": "notRequired",
      "status": "needsSignedDriver",
      "summary": "Its service starts with a protected game and stops after it. Easy Anti-Cheat has long refused to run while Windows test-signing mode is on, because test mode lets unsigned drivers load.",
      "levelHound": "Games with Easy Anti-Cheat will not start while test mode is on. Remove the test-signed Level Hound driver and turn test mode off; with Automatic safe mode Level Hound also moves off the driver while the game runs.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Steam Community: Easy Anti-Cheat and test signing mode", "url": "https://steamcommunity.com/app/252490/discussions/0/610574394237040993" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "battleye",
      "name": "BattlEye",
      "vendor": "BattlEye Innovations",
      "services": ["BEService"],
      "drivers": ["BEDaisy"],
      "processes": ["beservice.exe", "beservice_x64.exe"],
      "testMode": "blocks",
      "secureBoot": "notRequired",
      "status": "needsSignedDriver",
      "summary": "Kernel driver (BEDaisy) and a service started with the game. Fails with \"Failed to initialize BattlEye Service: Windows Test-Signing Mode not supported\" while test mode is on.",
      "levelHound": "Games with BattlEye will not start while test mode is on. Remove the test-signed Level Hound driver and turn test mode off; Level Hound runs on VB-CABLE meanwhile.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Epic Games Help: \"Windows Test-Signing Mode not supported\" (BattlEye)", "url": "https://www.epicgames.com/help/technical-support-c-202300000001619/third-party-support-c-202300000001668/failed-to-initialize-battleye-service-windows-test-signing-mode-not-supported-error-a202300000012901" },
        { "title": "Ubisoft: BattlEye FAQ (Rainbow Six Siege)", "url": "https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/rainbow-six/siege/news-updates/2999gdyIXLbeiZP78R7545/battleye-faq" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "faceit",
      "name": "FACEIT Anti-Cheat",
      "vendor": "FACEIT",
      "services": ["FACEITService"],
      "drivers": ["FACEIT"],
      "processes": ["faceit.exe", "faceitclient.exe", "faceitservice.exe"],
      "testMode": "blocks",
      "secureBoot": "required",
      "status": "needsSignedDriver",
      "summary": "A kernel driver loaded at boot plus an app that must run during FACEIT matches (Counter-Strike 2). FACEIT has started requiring Secure Boot and TPM 2.0; with Secure Boot on, Windows does not allow test-signing mode at all.",
      "levelHound": "FACEIT matches need Secure Boot, so test mode (and with it the test-signed Level Hound driver) cannot be used. Remove the driver and turn test mode off; Level Hound runs on VB-CABLE.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "FACEIT Support: What is FACEIT Anti-cheat and how does it work?", "url": "https://support.faceit.com/hc/en-us/articles/9394666828188-What-is-FACEIT-Anti-cheat-and-how-does-it-work" },
        { "title": "FACEIT Support: Anticheat compatibility with Windows Insider builds", "url": "https://support.faceit.com/hc/en-us/articles/360015781019-Anticheat-Compatibility-with-Windows-Insider-builds" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "javelin",
      "name": "EA Javelin Anticheat",
      "vendor": "Electronic Arts",
      "services": ["EAAntiCheatService"],
      "drivers": [],
      "processes": ["eaanticheat.gameservicelauncher.exe"],
      "testMode": "blocks",
      "secureBoot": "someGames",
      "status": "needsSignedDriver",
      "summary": "EA's kernel-mode anti-cheat (Battlefield, EA Sports FC, Madden). Battlefield 6 requires Secure Boot; players report \"unacceptable configuration\" errors with test signing or kernel debugging on.",
      "levelHound": "Expect EA games with Javelin not to start while test mode is on. Remove the test-signed Level Hound driver and turn test mode off.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "EA Help: EA Anticheat", "url": "https://help.ea.com/en-ca/help/pc/ea-anticheat" },
        { "title": "EA Forums: Javelin \"unacceptable configuration\"", "url": "https://forums.ea.com/discussions/fc-26-technical-issues-en/javelin-anticheat-unacceptable-configuration-0xb3829eb7de50bdb7/13670099" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "ricochet",
      "name": "RICOCHET Anti-Cheat",
      "vendor": "Activision",
      "services": [],
      "drivers": [],
      "processes": [],
      "testMode": "blocks",
      "secureBoot": "required",
      "status": "needsSignedDriver",
      "summary": "Call of Duty's kernel-level anti-cheat. Black Ops 7 requires TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on PC, which rules out test-signing mode.",
      "levelHound": "Call of Duty needs Secure Boot, so the test-signed Level Hound driver cannot be used with it. Remove the driver and turn test mode off; Level Hound runs on VB-CABLE.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Call of Duty: RICOCHET Anti-Cheat update, Black Ops 7 beta", "url": "https://www.callofduty.com/blog/2025/09/call-of-duty-black-ops-7-beta-ricochet-anti-cheat-update" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "esea",
      "name": "ESEA Anti-Cheat",
      "vendor": "ESEA",
      "services": ["ESEADriver2"],
      "drivers": [],
      "processes": ["eseaclient.exe"],
      "testMode": "unknown",
      "secureBoot": "unknown",
      "status": "unknown",
      "summary": "Kernel-level client for ESEA's Counter-Strike leagues. We found no current statement about test-signing mode.",
      "levelHound": "Not enough known. Use safe mode, and expect test mode to be a problem like with the other kernel anti-cheats.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Microsoft: test-signed drivers and why kernel anti-cheats check for them", "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/w8cookbook/secured-boot-signing-requirements-for-kernel-mode-drivers" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "gameguard",
      "name": "nProtect GameGuard",
      "vendor": "INCA Internet",
      "services": ["GameGuard"],
      "drivers": [],
      "processes": ["gamemon.des", "gamemon64.des"],
      "testMode": "unknown",
      "secureBoot": "unknown",
      "status": "unknown",
      "summary": "Kernel-level anti-cheat used by several Korean online games; it starts with the game.",
      "levelHound": "Not enough known. Use safe mode.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Microsoft: kernel-mode driver signing requirements", "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/w8cookbook/secured-boot-signing-requirements-for-kernel-mode-drivers" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "xigncode3",
      "name": "XIGNCODE3",
      "vendor": "Wellbia",
      "services": [],
      "drivers": ["xhunter1"],
      "processes": [],
      "testMode": "unknown",
      "secureBoot": "unknown",
      "status": "unknown",
      "summary": "Kernel-level anti-cheat (driver xhunter1) used by some online games; it loads with the game.",
      "levelHound": "Not enough known. Use safe mode.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Microsoft: kernel-mode driver signing requirements", "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/w8cookbook/secured-boot-signing-requirements-for-kernel-mode-drivers" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "mhyprot",
      "name": "HoYoverse anti-cheat (mhyprot)",
      "vendor": "HoYoverse",
      "services": [],
      "drivers": ["mhyprot2", "mhyprot3"],
      "processes": [],
      "testMode": "unknown",
      "secureBoot": "unknown",
      "status": "unknown",
      "summary": "Kernel driver loaded with Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero.",
      "levelHound": "Not enough known. Use safe mode.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Microsoft: kernel-mode driver signing requirements", "url": "https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/w8cookbook/secured-boot-signing-requirements-for-kernel-mode-drivers" }
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "vac",
      "name": "Valve Anti-Cheat (VAC)",
      "vendor": "Valve",
      "services": [],
      "drivers": [],
      "processes": [],
      "testMode": "allowed",
      "secureBoot": "notRequired",
      "status": "works",
      "summary": "Runs in user mode with no kernel driver; it is not known to refuse test-signing mode or virtual audio drivers.",
      "levelHound": "Nothing to change. Level Hound keeps using its driver.",
      "verified": false,
      "lastChecked": "2026-10-05",
      "sources": [
        { "title": "Steam Support: Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC)", "url": "https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/571A-97DA-70E9-FF74" }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "games": [
    { "id": "valorant", "name": "VALORANT", "antiCheat": "vanguard", "exes": ["valorant-win64-shipping.exe", "valorant.exe"], "installNames": ["valorant"] },
    { "id": "lol", "name": "League of Legends", "antiCheat": "vanguard", "exes": ["league of legends.exe"], "installNames": ["league of legends"] },
    { "id": "fortnite", "name": "Fortnite", "antiCheat": "eac", "exes": ["fortniteclient-win64-shipping.exe"], "installNames": ["fortnite"] },
    { "id": "apex", "name": "Apex Legends", "antiCheat": "eac", "exes": ["r5apex.exe", "r5apex_dx12.exe"], "installNames": ["apex legends"] },
    { "id": "eldenring", "name": "Elden Ring", "antiCheat": "eac", "exes": ["eldenring.exe"], "installNames": ["elden ring"] },
    { "id": "rust", "name": "Rust", "antiCheat": "eac", "exes": ["rustclient.exe"], "installNames": ["rust"] },
    { "id": "dbd", "name": "Dead by Daylight", "antiCheat": "eac", "exes": ["deadbydaylight-win64-shipping.exe"], "installNames": ["dead by daylight"] },
    { "id": "pubg", "name": "PUBG: Battlegrounds", "antiCheat": "battleye", "exes": ["tslgame.exe"], "installNames": ["pubg: battlegrounds", "pubg"] },
    { "id": "r6", "name": "Rainbow Six Siege", "antiCheat": "battleye", "exes": ["rainbowsix.exe", "rainbowsix_be.exe"], "installNames": ["tom clancy's rainbow six siege", "rainbow six siege", "tom clancy's rainbow six siege x", "rainbow six siege x"] },
    { "id": "dayz", "name": "DayZ", "antiCheat": "battleye", "exes": ["dayz_x64.exe"], "installNames": ["dayz"] },
    { "id": "tarkov", "name": "Escape from Tarkov", "antiCheat": "battleye", "exes": ["escapefromtarkov.exe"], "installNames": ["escape from tarkov"] },
    { "id": "arma3", "name": "Arma 3", "antiCheat": "battleye", "exes": ["arma3_x64.exe"], "installNames": ["arma 3"] },
    { "id": "cs2faceit", "name": "Counter-Strike 2 on FACEIT", "antiCheat": "faceit", "exes": [], "installNames": ["faceit", "faceit anti-cheat", "faceit ac"] },
    { "id": "bf2042", "name": "Battlefield 2042", "antiCheat": "javelin", "exes": ["bf2042.exe"], "installNames": ["battlefield 2042"] },
    { "id": "bf6", "name": "Battlefield 6", "antiCheat": "javelin", "exes": [], "installNames": ["battlefield 6"] },
    { "id": "fc26", "name": "EA Sports FC 26", "antiCheat": "javelin", "exes": ["fc26.exe"], "installNames": ["ea sports fc 26"] },
    { "id": "cod", "name": "Call of Duty", "antiCheat": "ricochet", "exes": ["cod.exe"], "installNames": ["call of duty"] },
    { "id": "genshin", "name": "Genshin Impact", "antiCheat": "mhyprot", "exes": ["genshinimpact.exe"], "installNames": ["genshin impact"] },
    { "id": "starrail", "name": "Honkai: Star Rail", "antiCheat": "mhyprot", "exes": ["starrail.exe"], "installNames": ["honkai: star rail"] },
    { "id": "zzz", "name": "Zenless Zone Zero", "antiCheat": "mhyprot", "exes": ["zenlesszonezero.exe"], "installNames": ["zenless zone zero"] },
    { "id": "cs2", "name": "Counter-Strike 2", "antiCheat": "vac", "exes": ["cs2.exe"], "installNames": ["counter-strike 2"] }
  ]
}