[2020] Why is there a ban round?

Originally posted by cosmicnautilus: I havent been playing this game very long, and let it sit unplayed for months. I come back and start a round and the roster is far too open for this event (why did I unlock operators if I can just play as anyone?) and this ban round system annoyed me enough that I quit my first round back in.

Why is this even a thing?

i'm assuming you're referring to the Road to S.I. event? All operators are unlocked for that mode only so that players who don't have all of them can test out Operators they're interested in unlocking. The Pick & Ban phase was introduced in Operation Para Bellum and adds a new dynamic to Ranked play. Banning specific Operators causes you to adjust your play and think outside the box. The Road to S.I. Event features all features of a Ranked match but doesn't count towards your rank whatsoever.