In the vibrant world of gaming, special slang and terms often emerge, becoming iconic within their communities. From the legendary shout of "Leeroy Jenkins!" to Keanu Reeves' memorable "Wake up, Samurai" at E3 2019, these phrases and memes quickly gain traction. Yet, some terms, like "C9," remain a puzzle to many. In this article, we'll dive deep into the origins and meanings of this enigmatic expression.

Table of Content

• 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" may be familiar to players of various session shooters, particularly Overwatch 2, but its roots go back to the original Overwatch in 2017. During the Apex Season 2 tournament, Cloud9 faced off against Afreeca Freecs Blue. Despite Cloud9 being the stronger team, they unexpectedly lost their focus on the Lijiang Tower map, where the objective is to hold the point for a specified time. Instead, they chased kills, a tactical error that led to their defeat. This blunder was repeated in subsequent maps, and the term "C9" was born from this infamous moment, derived from Cloud9's name. The term is now often heard 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, reminiscent of Cloud9's 2017 blunder. It usually occurs when players are too engrossed in combat and neglect the map's objectives, only to realize their error too late. This leads to "C9" being spammed in the chat, highlighting the team's oversight.

Disagreements on the Definition of C9

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The gaming community has varying opinions on what constitutes a true "C9." Some argue it applies to any instance where a team abandons the control point, like when an enemy Sigma uses "Gravitic Flux" and the team fails to hold their position. Others believe "C9" should only be used when players forget the objective due to the human factor, as was the case with Cloud9. This interpretation aligns more closely with the original event.

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There's also a group that uses "C9" for fun or to taunt opponents. Variants like "K9" or "Z9" are sometimes seen, with "Z9" being a "metameme" popularized by streamer xQc, mocking incorrect uses of "C9."

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Also read: Mercy: a detailed analysis of the character from Overwatch 2

What is the reason for the popularity of C9?

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The popularity of "C9" stems from the unexpected outcome of the Apex Season 2 match. Cloud9, a powerhouse in the esports scene across multiple games, was favored to win easily against Afreeca Freecs Blue. Their surprising tactical errors led to a memorable defeat, cementing "C9" in gaming lore. The term gained traction because such a high-profile blunder occurred in a top-tier competition, making it a topic of discussion and a meme within the community.

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We hope this article has shed light on what "C9" means in Overwatch. Share this with your friends to spread awareness of this intriguing piece of gaming culture!