Why Blizzard let Jetpack Cat break Overwatch on purpose

The decision to delay nerfs highlights Blizzard's balancing philosophy of prioritizing fun and memorable moments over immediate competitive balance, which may shape how future heroes are handled.

The decision to delay nerfs highlights Blizzard's balancing philosophy of prioritizing fun and memorable moments over immediate competitive balance, which may shape how future heroes are handled.

Key points - Team 4 added five new heroes: Mizuki, Emre, Anran, Domina, and Jetpack Cat. - Jetpack Cat and Bastion formed a dominant 'Apache helicopter' meta in OWCS. - Devs internally found the combo 'a little scary' during playtesting. - Alec Dawson said leaving Jetpack Cat un-nerfed was deliberate to let players experience crazy moments. - Jetpack Cat later received reworks, including a nerf to her movement speed while carrying another hero.

Timeline - Almost a year ago: Team 4 debuted a new Overwatch format with yearly themes and five new heroes, including Jetpack Cat. - During playtesting: Devs tested Jetpack Cat with Bastion and Mercy, calling it 'an even scarier helicopter.' - After launch: Jetpack Cat and Bastion dominated OWCS with the 'Apache helicopter' meta. - Later: Jetpack Cat received reworks, including a nerf to her movement speed while carrying another hero.

FAQ

Q: What is the Jetpack Cat and Bastion combo? A: Jetpack Cat carries Bastion into the air, allowing him to use turret mode and gun down enemies from above. It was dubbed the 'Apache helicopter' meta.

Q: Why didn't Blizzard nerf Jetpack Cat immediately? A: According to Alec Dawson, they wanted players to experience the crazy moments before balancing, preserving fun and extremes.

Q: Did Jetpack Cat get nerfed eventually? A: Yes, she received reworks, including a nerf to her movement speed while carrying another hero, though she can still be frustrating to deal with.