What Does C9 Mean in Overwatch 2? – Answered

Don't get off the point!

Overwatch 2, like any online game out there, has a lot of slang to keep track of. Whether it be the classics like CC or GG, or something more specific like hitscan or off-healer, you’ll have plenty to learn if you want to learn more about Overwatch. One such term is used at the end of some games but can be confusing if you don’t know the history. Here’s what C9 means in Overwatch 2.

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What is a C9 in Overwatch 2?

So first things first, a bit of background. Back in 2017, the competitive event Overwatch Apex Season 2 was well underway, with a game occurring between the teams AF Blue and Cloud 9. The teams were playing on Lijiang Tower, with two of the three maps coming close. However, both times Cloud 9 were winning the Overtime fight and got off the point by accident, giving the rounds to AF Blue essentially for free. A later map in the series, Volskaya Foundry, saw them repeat the same mistake when attacking. Due to it being the first to three map wins takes the set, Cloud 9 inevitably lost to AF Blue with two of those determined by those screw-ups.

Related: Overwatch 2 Counters Guide: All Hero Counters in Overwatch 2 (April 2023)

This is what birthed the term C9, with it referring to getting off the point unnecessarily and losing the round because of that screw-up. This term has been warped endlessly by players ever since, with some even referring to enemies not making it to the point in time as a C9 (even though that’s wrong). It’s easily one of the most infamous terms in Overwatch history, next to the Goats comp of Overwatch 1 (three healers, three tanks).

If you’re curious to learn more about different sayings, check out our guide on all Overwatch chat slang.


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About the Author

Shawn Robinson

Shawn is a freelance gaming journalist who's been with Prima Games for a year and a half, writing mainly about FPS games and RPGs. He even brings several years of experience at other sites like The Nerd Stash to the table. While he doesn't bring a fancy degree to the table, he brings immense attention to detail with his guides, reviews, and news, leveraging his decade and a half of gaming knowledge. If he isn't writing about games, he's likely getting zero kills in his favorite FPS or yelling at the game when it was 100% his fault that he died.