Edited By
Liam Chen

A recent spike in ban rates has put Doom front and center in tank discussions across player forums. With Doom being the second most banned tank overall, the community is in a frenzy, wondering what this means for gameplay and team dynamics.
The numbers donโt lieโthe community expresses palpable frustration at the increasing bans directed at Doom. One comment captured the sentiment perfectly: "The majority of Doom players either run lobbies or throw." Clearly, many players are wary of both facing and having a Doom on their team, leading to an uptick in bans.
Interestingly, a juxtaposition has emerged with Sombraโs presence in the meta. Despite a general feeling that Sombra doesnโt get enough bans, a user asserted, "Everybody hates Sombra." This duality raises questions about player perceptions and experiences in various ranks, especially between PC and console.
Comments show a divide between platforms. On console, players feel more comfortable dealing with Sombra, stating, "I donโt find it hard to kill her". Yet, thereโs a glaring contrast on PC, where players note the challenges of dealing with her. As one pointed out, "Only on PC under masters tho. Otherwise itโs not so bad."
These sentiments reflect broader issues in game balance and player matchmaking preferences. Fewer Doom players are causing shifts in team compositions, which can lead to more predictable strategies and less diversity in gameplay.
โNot even Jackal in R6 got this banned dear god,โ remarked one player, highlighting the extremity of Doom's situation in comparison to other popular games.
As the game continues to evolve under the leadership of its developers, here are some insights from the community on the current state of Doom and Sombra:
Doom consistently banned: "This is so crazy to me" - Many are shocked at the ban rates.
Diverse perceptions of Sombra: Greater comfort reported on console versus PC, creating a split on player experience.
Calls for balance adjustments: Community members are pushing for changes to address the meta evolution with these tanks.
As gaming communities adapt, players will continue to call for balance that respects their sentiments and enhances the gaming experience. Whatโs next for game developers in handling these community voices?
Experts estimate a strong chance that the ongoing discussions about Doom and Sombra will lead to significant balance changes in the coming patches. Given the current frustration within the community, game developers may prioritize adjustments to Doom's abilities to reduce his ban rates while enhancing Sombra's presence in a way that satisfies both console and PC players. As players continue to vocalize their concerns, it is likely that developers will want to implement solutions that foster greater diversity in team compositions. This could manifest in more nuanced gameplay strategies and a more balanced meta that feels engaging for all ranks,
Looking back at the heyday of fighting games, the experience mirrors the current state of Doom's bans. When characters like Akuma in Street Fighter became overly dominant, players rallied for adjustments, leading to an evolution in gameplay and community structure. Much like the present, the competitive landscape required balancing moves to address player concerns. As we see today, the push for adjustments often reshaped strategies, driving innovations that kept the game fresh. This implies that Doom's journey through the ban frenzy may similarly result in a revitalized meta that provokes new tactics and keeps players engaged.