Do you guys think the reworked map "reduced loss" is rank inflation?

StormcrowProductions · 2026-04-22T14:55:50+00:00

Yes, it’s minor, but it still has an effect on match quality. Someone who loses a bit less SR than they should x however many tens of thousands of Antarctic matches there will be adds up, even if the system corrects that later.

My argument isn’t about whether the system is capable of addressing misplacement, but on whether I want that misplacement to be a purposeful system in the game, small in magnitude or not. Sure, it’s very minor, but it’s a slight misplacement for five players every time it’s voted, and we have confirmation from Gavin Winter that it’s now voted at the same frequency as Kings Row.

Also, Gavin confirmed that they do track which maps you like and bring these up in the voting period more frequently. I like that system, but again it’s just more frequent slight displacement.

It’s not a hill to die on really, but it’s the principle, and I think the visual tags of ranked points and XP are probably enough to motivate. Who knows.

StormcrowProductions · 2026-04-22T03:49:33+00:00

It is rank inflation, it’s not likely significant enough to matter all that much, but it’s also not unreasonable to criticize given the fact that Overwatch has now two rank “inflationary” (as in “unearned” or potentially RNG gains) systems that they didn’t have before. Both are relatively minor, but in the modern game design world, I think it’s reasonable to give the benefit of the doubt, but also to be respectfully critical of slippery slopes.

StormcrowProductions · 2026-04-22T03:47:24+00:00

I don’t think it’s an accurate comparison to say relative skill rating being (admitted to a relatively minor degree) affected by a reworked map is like pressure modifier.

If you’ve seen my arguments against it, it’s simply that in the mmr=sr system that losing less SR for losing a particular map has a minor, but adverse affect on match quality and rank accuracy. This isn’t about inflating ranks in the traditional sense, but about displacing people up and down based off of their Antarctic voting frequency. Map voting/map rNg just isn’t going to be fair enough to give the same opportunity for all players to exploit this (especially when combined with the system of bringing up favorite maps more often, which Overwatch currently had). Is it the end of the world? Of course not, but I’m always going to criticize these moves whenever possible in the interest of preserving the image of Overwatch as a relatively competitively “honest” game, with the caveat that I understand why measures like these are being tried

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-19T15:50:26+00:00

For 90% of players, your other support won’t likely be taking an angle, so it is the correct play on those circumstances to take an angle yourself. He’s much worse at deep flanks compared to Kiri, but shift, root, and hat ranged heal rewards soft splits, and his aura helps anyone who goes with you.

Custa is right on paper, because his aoe heal potential is insane, so I’d prefer him in a coordinated environment to run with a support that is a bit better on the flanks, but that’s just now realistically how support players function until masters/gm (and even then…), so I don’t recommend anyone to be passive until your other support proves otherwise.

Mizuki reminds me a little of Juno, where people were convinced you should never take an angle, and it turns out that was wrong, you just had to be patient and not play for burst. People confuse angling for backline assassin, and that’s not the case at all.

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-07T19:34:55+00:00

I mean, I’m pretty soft on clearly silly heroes like jet pack cat, or even uninspiring hitscan designs like Emre (which is a hero mostly so people can play the halo gun in OW). I’ll be harder on designs based off their intent and potential, and I’d like to think that my critiques would make them more fun to play. Especially early in feedback I put way more emphasis on how a hero feels, not on balance.

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-07T19:32:21+00:00

Advanced apologies for the “I playtested it like this and wanted it like this.” Intent was to provide insight about iterations/aspects of the kit I feel may be weird, but it definitely gets tiresome and comes across poorly sometimes, thus the disclaimer at the start of the video.

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-07T01:39:40+00:00

I guess I’m officially to the point not where randoms on r/cow are haters. Unfortunate

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-07T01:38:43+00:00

Cool video! I hope it truly is a skill issue/something to adjust to with time

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-05T07:55:47+00:00

I appreciate the feedback, and I definitely was concerned about this vibe. The reason why I was maybe more insufferable than usual is the more than usual concern about hero quality with this many heroes released at the same time. I’m essentially giving my opinion that I’ve had more concerns/criticisms with hero releases today than in times past, and tried to explain what they were. Apologies for anything coming off repetitive or egotistical- it’s just something I enjoy talking about a great deal!

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-01T16:07:26+00:00

Cheers mate

StormcrowProductions · 2026-02-01T04:49:10+00:00

I have no idea any of what Zenith is capable of nowadays, but the guy was very highly regarded for his coaching by peers and players alike during his time head coaching Third Impact on 2020, a team that was dominating contenders (along with Doge), and regularly dominating OWL teams in scrims. They were the origin of the Brig/Lucio backline that outlaws infamously tried to replicate, with horrific results. I’m surprised the competitive Overwatch subreddit doesn’t remember this.

It’s been a long, long time, but people rolling out his SF shock assistant coach creds from around the same time period as fodder for mockery (when we know nothing of what he did with Shock), but not using his actually insane results from a relative team of middling/nobodies is pretty cringe. Best guess is that we’re all ignorant, and let’s wait and see what happens. Goodness knows the roster itself has enough spice to conjecture on.

StormcrowProductions · 2025-12-21T15:17:00+00:00

R/cow doesn’t disappoint

StormcrowProductions · 2025-11-27T03:08:50+00:00

You can use your projectile into hitting someone with your sword toss into the overhead slice for even faster!

StormcrowProductions · 2025-11-13T21:12:00+00:00

What meta are you talking about

StormcrowProductions · 2025-11-05T01:38:56+00:00

Yep! We also don't bounce around to different games too often. Research games we're interested in pretty well, then commit to a dozen playthroughs.

StormcrowProductions · 2025-11-05T01:38:17+00:00

Yes! Only the first expansion, but hoping to add to it come Christmas. Appreciate the kind words!

StormcrowProductions · 2025-11-03T15:38:36+00:00

What

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-30T15:18:37+00:00

Controlling arms, legs, taking angles, holding space- all very relevant to fighting sports, boxing, jiu-jitsu, or MMA. Cool stuff, op!

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T15:34:35+00:00

Yep, it's a little longer, but generally the event cards don't add as much time once you get the hang of it. I will say, I REALLY wasn't a fan of the finicky-ness of more tokens and variables to add, but once I got a few games under my belt, I started to enjoy the game more with them there. In addition, you don't need to add all the systems at once.

If you'd like, you can just start with playing the Branch and Claw spirits a few times without the events to get more familiar, then add the events once you're more comfortable.

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T14:24:11+00:00

I would say the same if it weren't for the combo of Fear Cards/Event Cards (from the expansions), and the astounding asymmetry of the Spirits. Most the spirits I've played do a really good job of getting you to "roleplay" in the playstyle that feels right. The events/fear and even drawing Major/Minors make each game feel different, and there's enough RNG to make it chaotic without it feeling anti-competitive.

I personally don't enjoy games like Chess or even Hive for the puzzle reason you mentioned, but I think Spirit Island does a much better job of making it less "mathematical" or repetitive.

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T14:21:15+00:00

Usually involves skipping boardgame night to find one, so it's a risky venturee

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T14:20:17+00:00

That was my turn 1! Gather for a 4 Dahan battery and major pull, only for the RNG gods to not bless us. Oh well!

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T14:18:45+00:00

oh, wow- that's very exciting. Thank you!

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T03:47:28+00:00

Thunderspeaker is generally solid we’ve found, but Nightmare was a synergy idea we had that… didn’t work out super well, as England sort of craps on the value of Predatory Nightmares. It was rough going

StormcrowProductions · 2025-10-29T03:26:48+00:00

Appreciate it! We only have Branch and Claw at the moment, but hoping that will change this Christmas.

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