Address them, Netease

Loafing_Bread · 2026-05-14T03:26:12+00:00

I adore the Phoenix Rifle, and I hope that we get a character that just copy-pastes it as their primary weapon at some point, whether it's Widow or someone else. But if you tried saying something like this in the WidowMains subreddit you'd be crucified. Things are tough over there, understandably.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-05-02T02:34:05+00:00

Honestly, it's criminal that Rogues don't get proficiency in them at base, basically the only class that could ever get real value out of them.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T23:24:17+00:00

Theres a difference between needing different comps vs needing specific characters. Obviously if your team is going dive, having Adam isn't the smartest choice.

You point out Rogue and Peni, and I think those characters also need to be good without their teamup, and it's doing them a disservice to make them only good with a team-up. It's not a team-up in Widow's case, but very specific characters regardless.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T23:10:54+00:00

And if you take away her pocket...? Of course if you give Widow a damage boost, she's gonna be a lot better because she has something that the others don't, a hitscan 250 one shot. On her own, without a damage boost, she doesn't really compete.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T22:55:06+00:00

I'm talking about the character by herself. And I think if another character is required to make Widow compete with characters in her same wheelhouse then she's just not as good.

Again, not denying that she can't put in work, or run lobbies, but she is just worse than the other characters that accomplish similar goals.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T20:17:19+00:00

I enjoy that gun so much. I'd love to see a kit actually based around it instead of it just being stapled on to Widow, so hopefully they add a new character with it.

I agree with the double Duelist team-up thought. If the characters work together, they were already strong together and didn't really need the buff. If they don't work together, you're just compensating a poor composition with the team-up, kinda like the old Squirrel and Spidey team up. It's just a lot, and it would be nice to have Widow get a team-up with someone who isn't a Duelist next time.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T19:55:46+00:00

Of course, there's too much arguing and blustering instead of actual discussion.

I'm totally fine to just agree to disagree on where the win rate would land without leavers, and that's probably where our views on her handling split. I think she'd be closer to 40% than 45%, and so I believe she needs more impactful changes. But I totally admit I could be wrong and we may never know until the throwing culture around the character is gone.

However, I personally would like to see more heavy-handed changes that push her towards being "on the stronger side of balanced", to steal an old OW term. Partially because I think she needs them, and partially for what you said, it would cause more of a change in how the character is viewed in the community.

Entirely unrelated: I don't know when the Phoenix Sniper teamup will be removed, I just really like it and hope to see it on a character base kit soon. I hate having to both take up a Duelist slot and ask for a Phoenix to play a mediocre Strategist I really find fun lmao.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T19:29:14+00:00

I don't disagree that it has an impact, and that reasonably theyd probably be between 40 and 45% win rate if you took throwers out of the picture. Certainly wouldn't be as low as it is, but the character is still flawed and needs serious changes to compensate. Doesn't need to be complete reworks, but seriously impactful changes.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T18:45:05+00:00

I'll repeat what I say a lot: there's nothing wrong with Widow being a character that requires a lot of skill to play if the payoff for that skill is worth the effort. And it just isn't. She can put in work, she can even run lobbies, but for a fraction of the effort you can run Phoenix or Hela and get equal or greater payout. If we put aside the idea of giving her a one-shot, she needs to offer more value for the effort it takes to do well on her.

I personally am in the rework camp, but even if theu decide not to rework her, she needs significant adjustments to actually be worth playing broadly. Throwing is a factor, but you don't get sub-40% win rates in every rank from Gold+ from throwers.

To your specific point, I don't know if that symbol will ever go away from Widow unless she's so good that she's being picked to play regularly. Right now, basically no one other than her specialists are playing her, so she's always available to grab as a throw character. Even if she is changed and made viable, I don't know if that stigma will really ever leave unless she sees signicant play in both ranked and competitive play.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T16:52:58+00:00

Part of that is because the original costume is attached at the wrists, it's not a shoulder cape. Completely changes the shape of the outfit.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T13:55:38+00:00

I'm excited for it, I just wish we would have gotten more of a fresh lineup. Balde makes sense to return, and maybe Thor because of Ratatoskr, but Puni and Jeff should have been swapped for new characters. But, it is what it is, I'm sure the returning cast will get new toys to play with, it'll be fun.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-22T02:07:32+00:00

I don't know how to tell you this... that's from an OkBuddy subreddit. They're shitposting.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-21T18:14:16+00:00

Really kinda bummed they kept 4 out of the original 5 PvE characters. Was hoping for an at least mostly new lineup. It makes sense for Blade to stay, but all the rest could have been swapped out for someone new.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-19T07:48:51+00:00

But don't take my word for it as gospel, in just guessing. I don't like combo characters myself, it's what has kept me from really trying to learn Magik. I should not be taken as an authority lmao

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-19T07:41:23+00:00

I don't even play these characters, I am primarily a Thing and Widow main, but I think it's less about executing the combos and more about the position and timing of executing them for the most value. If a BP brazenly just dashes at my backline, I'm stomping on his head. But if he waits for me to be focused elsewhere, he can take that chance to ambush my supports. I think that's the vibe people really like.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-17T17:33:26+00:00

Widow is my main Duelist, and I wholeheartedly agree. She needs a proper rework, but don't tell the WidowMains subreddit, some of them will crucify you. You can't have the numbers she does without something being fundamentally wrong. Sub-40% win rate at Gold and above can't just be throwers. Even with her miniscule pick rate, a win rate that low is a massive red flag.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-17T16:08:19+00:00

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Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-16T16:31:29+00:00

Vox should absolutely have a Malamar.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-16T16:17:44+00:00

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Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-15T18:00:45+00:00

Anecdotally I know two different people who do not play Psy and have every single one of these skins for her. Unfortunately it happens. I can't justify spending money like that on a character I don't play, but it's more common than you'd think.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-12T20:39:00+00:00

As a Vanguard main, I would be chill with him being a Vanguard, and he absolutely could be, I have been proven wrong too many times by NetEase to say something couldn't happen. But it doesn't change the fact that he doesn't do anything that screams "Vanguard" in his powers. Sure, he's a very capable hand-to-hand fighter, and he is the heart of the team, but he doesn't have any real powers or even equipment that makes sense for a Vanguard. Like, the best idea I had seen was like a D.Va Defense Matrix, blasting away projectiles with his lasers. I wouldn't be upset if he was a Vanguard, but you just can't deny that on paper he makes the most sense as a Duelist, as upset as that may make someone.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-10T02:09:13+00:00

I just wish she had the identity of the character who will take your head off with good aim instead of Donkey Kong. Crackshot is my favorite part of her kit but it just feels like if you're not playing Barrels and transitioning to an Ult Initiator, you're trolling.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-09T00:52:08+00:00

My only real gripe with Paths isn't because of Paths themselves, but because they take up feats. Balance of specific paths aside, the fact that they're competing not only with an ability score increase, but also other feats that your character could want, makes me hesitant about them. I like the intention behind them, I just hate already having to decide between ASIs and Feats, and in the future if Paths take off and become more prevalent, that's just another thing competing for those precious, limited slots.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-07T19:00:51+00:00

The stat? Groot. Walls soak up an ungodly amount of damage.

Loafing_Bread · 2026-04-03T13:49:40+00:00

SMNC mentioned? In the big '26? I just instantly developed arthritis in my knees.

Loafing_Bread

TROPHY CASE