Diving into the world of Overwatch 2: The C9 Term

The gaming community thrives on unique slang and terminology. While some phrases, like "Leeroy Jenkins!" evoke immediate recognition, others, such as "C9," remain shrouded in mystery for many. This article delves into the origins and meaning of this enigmatic term.

Table of Contents

• How Did the Term "C9" Originate?
• What Does "C9" Mean in Overwatch?
• Disagreements on the Definition of "C9"
• Why is "C9" So Popular?

How Did the Term "C9" Originate?

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Although prevalent in various hero shooters, particularly Overwatch 2, "C9's" roots lie in the original Overwatch, specifically during Apex Season 2 in 2017. A match between Cloud9 and Afreeca Freecs Blue saw the heavily favored Cloud9 inexplicably abandon strategic objectives ("point holding" on Lijiang Tower) in favor of individual kills.

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This shocking display, repeated across multiple maps, led to Afreeca Freecs Blue's unexpected victory. The incident, a testament to Cloud9's baffling strategic lapse, became instantly legendary, earning the moniker "C9"—a shortened version of the team's name. The term persists in live streams and professional matches to this day.

What Does "C9" Mean in Overwatch?

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In Overwatch chat, "C9" signifies a fundamental strategic error by a team. It harkens back to the 2017 incident, typically occurring when players prioritize eliminating opponents over completing map objectives. By the time the objective is remembered, it's often too late, prompting the sarcastic use of "C9."

Disagreements on the Definition of "C9"

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The precise definition of "C9" remains a point of contention. Some consider any control point abandonment a "C9," such as a failure to hold position due to an enemy Sigma's "Gravitic Flux."

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Others believe it strictly refers to a failure stemming from players forgetting the match's objective. Considering the term's origin, this interpretation is arguably more accurate, as Cloud9's actions in 2017 represented an unnecessary abandonment of the point.

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Furthermore, "C9" is frequently used ironically or to taunt opponents. Variations like "K9" and "Z9" exist, with "Z9" potentially a "metameme" popularized by streamer xQc, mocking the misuse of "C9."

Why is "C9" So Popular?

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The popularity of "C9" stems from the context of the Apex Season 2 event. Cloud9, a prominent esports organization with teams across various games, possessed a top-tier Overwatch roster, considered a Western powerhouse.

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Their unexpected defeat to the less-accomplished Afreeca Freecs Blue, due to a series of egregious errors, cemented the term's place in gaming history. The sheer absurdity of a top team's catastrophic failure at the highest level of competition fueled the phrase's widespread adoption, even if its original meaning sometimes gets lost.

We hope this clarifies the meaning of "C9" in Overwatch. Share this with your friends to spread awareness of this intriguing piece of gaming culture!