Exploring Overwatch 2: Understanding the C9 Term

Special slang and terms are a staple of the gaming community, evoking nostalgia with phrases like "Leeroy Jenkins!" or sparking excitement with Keanu Reeves' "Wake up, Samurai" from E3 2019. Among these, the term "C9" has puzzled many. In this article, we delve into the origins and meaning of this intriguing phrase.

Table of Contents

• How Did the Term C9 Originate?
• What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch?
• Disagreements on the Definition of C9
• What is the Reason for the Popularity of C9?

How Did the Term C9 Originate?

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The term "C9" first emerged during the Overwatch Apex Season 2 tournament in 2017, where Cloud9 faced Afreeca Freecs Blue. Despite being the stronger team, Cloud9's players lost focus and began "chasing kills," neglecting the objective of holding the point on the Lijiang Tower map. This blunder allowed Afreeca Freecs Blue to win in an unexpected manner. Cloud9 repeated this mistake on subsequent maps, leading to their surprising defeat. The term "C9," derived from Cloud9's name, was born from this memorable moment and has since been used to describe similar tactical errors in live streams and professional matches.

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What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch?

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In Overwatch, "C9" is used when a team makes a fundamental strategic mistake by getting too engrossed in combat and forgetting the map's objectives. This term harks back to Cloud9's infamous oversight in 2017. When players focus too much on fighting and neglect key objectives, the chat often fills with "C9" as a reminder of their tactical lapse.

Disagreements on the Definition of C9

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The gaming community debates what truly constitutes a "C9." Some argue it's any abandonment of the control point, such as when an enemy's ability like Sigma's "Gravitic Flux" causes a team to lose position. Others believe it's specifically when players forget the match's objectives due to human error, as was the case with Cloud9.

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There's also a faction that uses "C9" for amusement or to taunt opponents. Variations like "K9" or "Z9" appear in chats, with "Z9" being a "metameme" popularized by xQc, mocking incorrect usage of "C9."

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What is the Reason for the Popularity of C9?

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Cloud9's status as a powerhouse in the esports scene, coupled with their unexpected defeat, contributed to the popularity of "C9." At the time, Cloud9 was renowned for their prowess across various competitive games, making their blunder in a high-stakes match particularly noteworthy. The upset against Afreeca Freecs Blue, a less celebrated team, only added to the shock and subsequent fame of the term.

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We hope this explanation clarifies the meaning of "C9" in Overwatch. Share this with your friends to spread awareness of this fascinating gaming term!