Following the mid-season update in Season 9 of Overwatch 2, players anticipated various experimental nerfs and buffs. However, what caught many off guard was the resurgence of Mauga, the top pick of the meta from Season 8, as a dominant force once again.
While the tank had previously undergone nerfs to balance his gameplay within the roster, Blizzard has now opted to somewhat reverse that decision by buffing him in the latest patch, much to the dissatisfaction of fans. Let's delve into the specifics below.
Overwatch 2 Mid-Season 9 Patch Pushes Mauga to the Top of the Meta to Player’s Dismay
When Mauga debuted in Season 8, he quickly rose to dominance in the tank meta. Following some backlash from fans, Blizzard nerfed the hero, restoring balance (and the player's peace of mind).
However, it appears we've returned to square one as Blizzard opted to buff him again in Season 9's mid-season patch, prompting discontent among content creators, streamers, and players who are now lamenting the state of the Overwatch 2 meta.
Mauga's Cardiac Overdrive and Overrun abilities were already challenging to counter, but with the latest patch and subsequent buff, they've become even more formidable. The potential ripple effect on Blizzard's decision-making is unsettling; while they may nerf him again in Season 10, they could also choose to buff other heroes and roles, significantly altering the game's meta landscape.
Fans unanimously call for Blizzard to nerf Mauga once more and revert to the base stats of Season 9, albeit with a touch of sarcasm reflecting their frustration. "THANK YOU BLIZZARD FOR THIS INCREDIBLE MID-SEASON PATCH, GAMES ARE SO ENJOYABLE, I’M HAVING TONS OF FUN! MAUGA IS SUCH A COOL CHARACTER!!!" sarcastically remarks a player.
Unfortunately, unless Blizzard swiftly implements a hotfix to address Mauga's dominance, he will continue to reign supreme in the meta until the release of Season 10 in four weeks. Fans remain hopeful for a pre-Season 10 nerf, but in the worst-case scenario, they'll have to endure his relentless presence until then.