I didn´t the entire scope of this topic, but I´ll put this situation/example in here in case I am missing something. This is a story of 6 competitive minds, friends in a way, but not close friends, let’s call their little gang as P.L.A.N.T.S (they like Resident Evil). Name’s are (for purpose of the argument, all the players are 3.1k rank in case you are interested):
Joshua (DPS main,)
Vanessa (Tank main)
Michael (Support main)
Felix (Tank main)
Miranda (Support main)
Violet (DPS main)
In OW1, let’s say Sigma just got released, both Felix and Vanessa are happy about this, naturally, they have a new hero at their disposal to master, create new synergies and maybe even link with (Vanessa loves classical music, while Felix likes the presentation of Sigma’s lore).
They are a little bummed that they cannot try Sigma out right in comp, but they know it’s for the best. It matters little, however, as Joshua and gang just host a custom game with competitive ruleset. That gives both Felix and Vanessa time to train in comp settings, no strings attached, and Sigma is there for both players to juggle. Note that this situations are rare for the P.L.A.N.T.S. gang, as their 6 players meeting are rare due to life situations and work.
Now, for the scenario in OW2:
Caballero, a new Tank Talon Commander, with spanish-influence, whose lore revolves around making Talon members to safely stand in the frontlines, is announced. His form of protection is a little different from other tanks, as his main method of tanking is throwing either of his 2 floating shields that rest on his arms to protect his team, the shield only protects in front, has a travel time, as well as a 175 HP cap, and if the shield is broken, the character who was protected get +25 Overheal. He has other abilities, but I don’t want to think about them.
Vanessa is absolutely in love with the new Hero, a new tank to play with! But there is a problem, Vanessa won’t be able to play for 2 weeks. She works in a hospital, and she absolutely loves her job, but duty calls. Don’t worry, Vanessa says, the vacations you requested will soon be here! Just 3 weeks more.
3 weeks pass, Caballero is available on comp, and Vanessa, excited, queues for COMP. After all, when you are in comp, you win more experience for the Battle Pass. Vanessa really cares not about buying the BP, since she is tight on money, but it’s not exactly poor. She finds a game, and picks Sigma.
“Why are you not on Caballero?” “Caballero is absolutely meta, Magvel (Vanessa’s account) are you throwing?” “Their team has a Caballero for sure, I was just looking at Ace’s stream and he is doing an unranked to GM with Caballero for content”.
Vanessa and her team afterwards, lose after a close game, 3-2 on Hollywood. Her team whines more, and Vanessa leaves the game. Now, Vanessa has to grind for Caballero, but has to do it outside of comp (the mode that gives the most XP of BP), and also, she cannot do so in a Custom game, she sends Joshua a message for a custom lobby, but since Caballero is locked for her, she STILL cannot practice with that meta Hero.
After grinding for Caballero, Vanessa finally unlocks him, however, now Vanessa is still behind everyone, since she still has to grind to get a feel for Caballero. There is also no point in grinding for the BP, as everything else is meaningless for Vanessa.
Just a little situation that crossed my mind. Now, NOT EVERYONE is going to be Hospital Vanessa. But think about it, what if Competitive REALLY does give the most XP to grind for the BP, now Competitive integrity is destroyed EVEN MORE, because you could have people WITHOUT the Hero, AND just grinding there (without the possibly) meta hero to unlock it!