So I’m not saying bring the “big” boy back up to meta levels like in past seasons, but I’ve found some interesting things to note that hold Ball back. Here’s my list of features that could be touched on, that would indefinitely help Ball players out.
1-Turn Ball form into a passive, there’s no reason a Sombra should unball a WBall when he is in that form for about 90% of his gameplay in a match. Just do something about this weird interaction that forces mech form for 300x the usual amount we play it in. That is a lot of agency lost there. This forces us to unball for literal minutes within a match. That is highly unfair.
2-The sounds of a Ball under fireball are super loud. If players are quick enough they can react to the sound and defend themselves. Some can even noticably track Ball much easier when he is out of sight. No need to make it “silent but deadly”, but reduce its range or make it more subtle.
3-Bodyblocking…why is a 10 ton boulder of a Mech able to be blocked off by heros with stick like figures? Makes no sense. Allow us to fireball in a short distance or allow for phasing when grappled. It just makes sense that Ball holds up to his name of “Wreckingball” and is able to smash through things. The phasing part would be nonlethal of course til proper momentum is achieved.
4-Grapple changes really messed things up. First, it doesn’t make sense that other heros can utilize their mobility straight out of the gate, or in Kiriko’s case use it FROM SPAM ROOM. So Ball should have the same chances. If you really want to slow Ball from spawn just make it to where he can’t achieve fireball status in the spawn room. Or give hin his grapple back. Why is he the only hero that gets a forced cooldown when spawning?
5-Piledriver airdrift. I get it you don’t want to stunlock players whenever Ball piledrives on them, but you forced that playstyle when you nuked grapple. If Ball is to become a serious threat you need to reduce the airdrift. Maybe not stunlock an airborne target in place but he needs something more. Maybe bigger AOE on piledriver or a quicker execution rather than the air windup then the Ball drop?
6-Minefield. Okay this ultimate needs some help. Its a minefield. It should spread out more or the mines need to be able to last longer since spamming abilities can effectively clear a good portion of it. It needs to have more of an effect on the game since it does neither mitigate damage or secure any kills. Sure it denies space, but for how long? The mines don’t even last for the full duration and once 1/3 of them are cleared it becones a nonissue for players. These area denual abilities are so subpar its a wonder who designed them in the first place?
So those are my thoughts. I didn’t want to touch on CDs or more gun changes since that would make Ball a bit too strong imho and it might force another Ball meta which is srrangely feared these days.
Idk about you but I’d love another Ball meta for myself. But I understand its not what other players would enjoy playing against.