What Is GOATS in Overwatch?
by Ievgen Dubravin Last update: December 1, 2024
💡 GOATS Meaning in Overwatch
- GOATS in Overwatch refers to a popular team composition featuring three tanks and three supports, known for its durability and sustain in fights.
Welcome to GameTree’s glossary, where we break down gaming terms with a friendly and easy-to-understand vibe! If you’re an Overwatch fan, you’ve probably heard the term “GOATS” thrown around in discussions of meta strategies. Named after an esports team, GOATS dominated the competitive scene and became one of the most iconic setups in Overwatch history. Let’s explore what GOATS is all about and how it shaped the game.
What is GOATS in Terms of Overwatch?
GOATS is a team composition in Overwatch built around three tank heroes (like Reinhardt, Zarya, and D.Va) and three support heroes (like Brigitte, Lucio, and Moira). The focus of this comp is overwhelming sustain, enabling the team to absorb massive damage while pushing objectives with coordinated aggression.
This composition relies heavily on teamwork and communication, as it thrives on sticking together, managing abilities effectively, and outlasting the enemy team.
Quick Tip:
If you’re up against a GOATS comp, try using heroes with burst damage or area denial, like Junkrat or Reaper, to break through their defenses.
The Origins of the Term
GOATS is named after the GOATS esports team, which popularized this composition in 2018. The team used this strategy so effectively that it became the dominant meta in professional Overwatch play for over a year.
The composition became so infamous that Blizzard eventually implemented balance changes, such as reducing the power of tanks and supports, and later introducing Role Queue, which limits teams to two tanks, two supports, and two damage dealers. This effectively ended the GOATS meta in standard play.
Fun Fact:
GOATS wasn’t just a comp—it was a cultural phenomenon in the Overwatch community, spawning countless memes, debates, and even its own section in esports history.
Other Related Terms
To fully understand GOATS, it helps to know these related terms:
- Dive Composition: A team setup focused on mobility and burst damage, often using heroes like Winston, D.Va, and Tracer to quickly eliminate key targets.
- Brawl Composition: A strategy similar to GOATS, focused on close-range combat with heroes like Reinhardt and Mei.
- Role Queue: A feature introduced in Overwatch that restricts teams to a 2-2-2 format (two tanks, two supports, two damage heroes), which effectively ended the GOATS meta.
- Meta: The most effective strategies and hero picks at any given time in competitive play.
Conclusion
GOATS is a legendary team composition in Overwatch, remembered for its impact on both competitive and casual play. While the 2-2-2 Role Queue may have retired it, the term remains an iconic part of Overwatch history. Check out GameTree’s glossary for more gaming terms and tips to boost your knowledge and stay ahead of the meta!
