Meta History Episode: Story of Optimization

Introduction

• Focus on optimization in the midline meta
• Starting with patch 6.1 and evolving through patches

Patch 6.1: Major Balance Changes

• Pencil Weapon:
  • Became more dominant
  • Other cooler weapons increased in special cost (Tri Slasher Nuvo affected)
  • Pencil becomes a staple in double cooler comps
• Zap Weapon:
  • Damage buff from 28 to 30
  • Importance of strong anchor option
  • Red pen seen as a close option
• Ballpoint and Shot Weapons:
  • Ballpoint's long-range mode less accurate
  • Shot made 200p to reduce special output

Midline Changes

• Stamper and Squeezer Weapons:
  • Stamper painting nerf affected Crabs Sword
  • Squeezer ink consumption and painting nerf
  • Squeezer dominance affects Stamper usage
• Meta Shifts:
  • Moved toward midline focused meta
  • Range blaster improves against mid-range weapons
• Other Changes:
  • Inkbrush faster, Flingza and Dynamo flick consistency

Patch 7.0: Minimal Impact

• 52 Deco:
  • Moderate competitive use due to screen buff
• General Buffs and Nerfs:
  • Luga and Mini buffs, Reflux paint nerf

Patch 7.2: Continued Midline Focus

• Midline Adjustments:
  • Points for special adjustments
  • Slosher long-range radius increase
• Specials Changes:
  • Big Bubbler's weak point strengthened
  • Screen damage buff

Evolution and Understanding

• Better game understanding
• Team comps centered around support shooter, midlines, cooler anchor

Neosplashmatic Rise

• Buffs:
  • Points for special decrease
  • Consistent option for short-range weapons

Patch 8.0: Sizzle Season 24

• New Weapons Introduced:
  • Decapitator and Wellstring
  • Decapitator notable but outclassed by Stamper
• Tri Stringer and Reflux Buffs:
  • Reflux sees tournament use

Tournament Trends

• Fast-paced comps with roller, carbon, quick respawn
• Special perception changes

Patch 8.1: Smaller Changes

• Carbon Roller:
  • Increased horizontal kill range
• Specials Adjustments:
  • TiSuka and Jet weaker into bubble
  • Kraken slower
  • Slider radius increase
• Meta Stability:
  • Nearly fully optimized meta
  • Short-range shooter as paintbot

Conclusion

• Meta reached a stale state with long duration
• Upcoming Patch 9.0 to focus on nerfs, potential meta shake-up

This episode demonstrates the ongoing evolution and optimization of the midline meta in the game, highlighting the influence of patches on gameplay and competitive strategies.