@wanderer the VPN ban is a module that will check any new ip against a public proxy blacklist through an API, and so it rids the servers of anonymous proxies which have been abused for cheating in the past.

Nevertheless, i think when obst implemented this module, there was also some kind of bypass mechanism with an auth key or something to deal with exactly the case you describe, to make an exception for trustworthy VPN users like you.

I am not entirely sure how he does it, but i would encourage you to notify Obstriegel on discord, as he might be able to help you.

it was clear from the beginning that this doesn't actually solve skill balance. a better solution is to scrap teamswitching and instead use something like sauertracker records to shuffle all of the teams in the beginning to have a better mix from the get-go.
this module could also be used to only solve extreme situations, eg if an unpopular map is loaded and half of the enemy team disconnects. but it's true that it shouldn't for example give the winning team more players.

i don't think balancing the game in unbalanced situations is bad master behaviour, this mod was designed to do what a master would do, but in soft mode. if it's still too much of a burden, or doesn't do what it's supposed to do , by all means deactivate it. i'm aware it's not the ideal solution and i don't think numbers balance is that important either, so thank you for your feedback.
if i have time i can look at how to maybe use Origin's mix-like sauertracker balance or optimize this mod, to offer a less disruptive alternative, but until now i was under the impression that in most cases it is still a net positive.