It’s a question that has plagued the Overwatch community for nearly a year now. That is, what can be done to kill GOATS? In more recent months, the development team has taken a more proactive role, exploring ways to slow down the comp’s momentum. However, their attempts have done little to halt GOAT’s impact, and in some ways made the situation worse (Looking at you, Reaper).
Now with games such as Apex Legends and Call of Duty looking to carve out some of Overwatch‘s dissatisfied player base, developers are looking to crush GOATS comp once and for all.
The Mechanics of GOATs
GOATs: the comp that everyone loves to hate. A freight train of The composition includes Brigitte, Lucio, Reinhardt, Zarya, and D.Va. While the 6th slot remains fairly interchangeable. Yet with the key five heroes give this comp the overwhelming force that has dominated the game for far too long. Ever since it was placed in the public eye, it has turned the game on its head.
Its a comp that abuses the game mechanics, dishing out a flurry of speed, shields, and healing making it absolutely frustrating to go against. Many players are left feeling dissatisfied and defeated, attributing GOATs to killing the fun of the game.
Enter The Rat
- Frag Launcher: Impact damage increased from 40 to 60
Since the beta, Junkrat has barely changed. He’s had just about 2-3 minor tweaks in the course of the game’s history, with his only major tweak being the addition of a second concussion mine. Although a new buff may not seem like much, in the hands of a skilled Junkrat main it can be a game-changer.
Junkrat has always been a strong counter to any tank dominant meta. However, unless the team has centered their comp around the rat, he cannot do much to weaken GOATs’ endless wall of shields. With the new buff analysis claim he will be able to effectively disorient and take out Brigitte with ease, leaving GOATs to crumble.
Some even speculate, that when paired with his concussion mines he can do an estimated amount of 148 damage. Yet regardless of what the damage output is, it will likely take more than that to stop this meta.
Chaos, Order, and a Cowboy
- Symmetra: Primary fire damage ramp* speed increased by 20%
- McCree: Deadeye bonus damage ramp* begins after 1.5 seconds
In addition to Junkrat, both McCree and Symmetra are receiving key buffs aimed at countering GOATS. Analysts have noted that in order to defeat GOATS, massive damage output is needed in a short amount of time. Developers have taken this fact and sought to roll with it while doing their best to not break the game (again).
With this in mind, they look to be focusing on abilities that have a damage ramp. In other words, abilities that increase damage output the longer they are used. Most notable examples being McCree’s Deadeye and Symmetra’s primary fire.
In the past several months, developers have sought to rebuild McCree as an effective tank buster, and so far they have succeeded in their venture. However as GOATS stands now, even his previous buffs have done little to really change it. Yet with Deadeye being able to impact shields, McCree may finally be able to put a significant dent in the meta.
Symmetra on the other hand is still in a tricky place. Now more offensive since her rework, she is still situational. Plus her buff is actually a reversal from a previous nerf. Whether players will see it in a positive or negative light this time around will depend on how it effects GOATs, as well as game-play in the lower tiers. Though the buff is seen as a benefit against GOATs, chances are her pros won’t outweigh the cons.
Nailing Down the GOATs Coffin
In order to assure that GOATs gets the boot, Overwatch developers are also dishing out some massive nerfs aimed directly at the meta.
- Lucio speed song effect reduced from 30% to 20%
- Lucio wall ride speed increase from 20% to 40%
- Lucio “amp it up” speed effect reduced from 70% to 50%
- Reaper passive healing reduced from 50% to 40%
- Zarya alternate fire radius reduced by 1
- Zenyatta discord orb effect reduced from 30% to 25%
- Zenyatta primary fire damage increased from 46 to 48 points per orb
Despite key nerfs to Zarya and Lucio, anaylsts predict this may not be enough to weaken GOATs. Even with the changes to Lucio, limiting the speed advantage GOATs needs, his ultimate keeps the meta a force to be reckoned with.
In light of unfavorable predictions, there is the brightside of devs rolling back Reaper’s healing. A clear sign that they’re trying to tread lightly, making sure to effectively kill GOATs with multiple changes as opposed to breaking a single hero.
Baptiste and the Meta
Though many are fanning themselves over the new hero 30, a shadow looms over his reveal. Yes, the hindrance on GOATs speed will make the comp difficult to play, but not impossible. Instead players may seek to emphasize the use of shields, replacing Brigitte with Baptiste on the roster. However this cannot be fully determined until Baptiste receives his last tweaks before officially entering the game.
Do you think Baptiste will hurt or help GOATs? Is Junkrat the savior we need or a mess just waiting to happen? Share with us your thoughts and ideas in the comments below. Want to keep up to date on all things Overwatch? subscribe to Miso and support us on Patreon!
*damage ramp: duration taken to increase damage output with prolonged weapon use.
