Some players feel that Overwatch is slowly dying and that Blizzard still can’t find a better solution to solve the current issues. However, they feel that an additonal hero may just be the answer. Recently, a new hybrid support/dps hero has been announced by Jeff Kaplan himself, Baptiste.
Introduction of Baptiste
In a similar way to Zenyatta’s Trancendence, Baptiste can literally save everyone from any damamge including ultimatess by using his Immortality Field. The skill appears to be broken though, the drone can still be destroyed, hacked, walled by ice wall and more. It also needs to be in line of sight in order to save someone, so it has limites.
Baptiste’s Biotic Launcher is fired with left click and can fire three bullets, right click launches a Healing Potion that works similarly to Anna’s Bio Grenade. When Regenerative Burst is activated, it works like Soldier 76’s Biotic Field and heals nearby allies. Baptiste can also get to the high ground easily with his passive skill, Exo Boots.
His ultimate, Amplication Matrix doubles the damage of any projectile and healing effects.
Rank Games
In my opinion, rank matchmaking in Overwatch is one of the worst experiences in the game. Mainly because of the unbalanced player ranking and capability distribution on both teams.
Sometimes, Grandmaster players got put with bronze players, especially at the beginning of the new Season. Players also mentioned getting five support role players and one dps player. I mean, nowadays most of the pro and streamers can make that composition work but not everyone is as good with assisting teammates and dealing the right amount of damage, especially in the higher rank.
Looking For Group System
Blizzard eventually came out with Looking for Group (LFG) solution. Although this solves some problems, though many issues remained Throwers, Hackers, players that only play one specific character or one specific role and Smurf always cause rank issues
Meta
The GOATS meta has been in Overwatch for almost a year and it is still going strong. Even with the armor and Brigette nerfs in the recent patch, GOATS still has strong survival ability in the current rank. GOATS is a team composition comprising of multi-tank and multi-support composition. It usually has 3 tanks and 3 supports in the team comp. Often Zarya, D’VA, Reinhardt, Lucio, Zenyatta and Brigitte.
Of course, anti-GOATS soon started being used but it requires good team communication and strategy. The main reason GOATS is so strong, is because they have the point control upper hand, especially when it comes to 2 capture point maps.
Why GOATS is meta ?
Previously, a pro player/streamer Seagull explained that the DIVE meta had been dominating Overwatch since the game started. Many support players players found it hard to survive with dps and tanks flanking their team. So, Brigette, a hybrid support with tank capability was introduced.
The introduction of Brigitte caused a rise on new meta GOATS due to Brigette’s ultimate and kits. She used to provide armour with her cool down skills and ultimate that lasts forever in the match. Even after tons of nerfs, she is in the meta due to her kits that provide high survival abilities to her teammates during extreme situations in the match.
Is Overwatch dying ?
Recently, many streamers, Youtubers, pro-players and players who’ve quit or reluctantly play Overwatch, claim it is not a fun game anymore. Some claim “Apex is taking over Overwatch but the truth is this game is dying even without Apex existed.” A streamer/pro player, Fitzy mentioned it before in his stream, “Is Apex killed Overwatch ? No, Overwatch kills Overwatch !”Both the community and Blizzard need to take responsibility maintaining this game into a better state but Blizzard also need to put more efforts making Overwatch a more fun and enjoyable game!” by a pro player/streamer Harbleu.
Apex Legends
Apex Legends appears to be a better game than Overwatch. So, many players would rather play Apex than playing a stressful unbalanced rank match, getting flamed by toxic teammates filled with hackers and throwers in their matches. Plus, Apex does not really need to fix the roles in the team in order to play the game. Unlike Overwatch, support, DPS and tanks are the three roles require in order to play a normal team composition.
Can Baptiste Change to GOATS?
As pro-players and streamers like Fitzy and Samito mentioned, Baptiste is definitely optimal in compositions like Bunker Comp (Pirate Ship) especially in Junker town. As Bastion and the rest of the team are basically immortal most of the time. Picking Baptiste for that team comp is definitely a must in the future.
When Baptiste was announced and released on the PTR server, there were claims that “he will counter GOATS meta”, and that ”he can make the GOATS meta even stronger than before due to his immortality kits.” Actually, we will never really know how Baptiste will affect the Overwatch meta until we experience him in different team compositions but he is definitely ideal with a team that can provide heavy amount of damage.
Personal Views
My favourite animated short XD
I think Apex is a great game I really enjoy with in game friends and real life buddies. In my opinion, the Overwatch meta should be switched from time to time. A meta should not last for too long as players get bored, Blizzard needs to make sure they change so that more variation and choice are available for players to experiment with.
Hackers and thrower are still an issue but it gets better sometimes in matches. Toxic players are destroying the mood and gaming experience of many players including myself. Smurf players with better skills in lower ranks are also a huge issue as they grind S.R. to rank up in every season.
It’s fun to watch the professionals but not always fun to play against them. I am a fan of Overwatch when it comes to things like their concept, designs and stories but the game definitely needs a look at. Blizzard also need more game mode during events and maybe daily challenges to encourage players to enjoy the game. I mean gaming is for fun and not supposed to be stressful. Having said all that, I am really looking forward to playing Baptiste in the future.
Thanks for your time in this discussion, have a nice day and peace out!
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Cheng Joun
Hi there, I am Cheng Joun, currently pursuing an Animation degree. I am a big fan of anime, games, drama, cartoon, music that also love to travel and eat. Mostly, I really enjoy those classical console platform games like Ps1 and Ps2. Now, I am mainly playing games on mobile platform like Seven Knight, Clash Royale and Dragalia Lost.
