Rant: The problem with “BG brainrot” and How it Has Distorted Champion Evaluation in MCOC
So far, I am liking where the game is going so far, with focus on Coliseum, raids, and even new story content, while still keeping Battlegrounds relevant. However there is a big problem I personally as a player would like addressed by the community: BG burnout
In recent months, Marvel Contest of Champions has witnessed a growing shift in how champions are perceived and evaluated, one that increasingly prioritizes speed and performance in a single game mode: Battlegrounds.
While competitive modes deserve recognition for their strategic, competitive and fast-paced appeal, the community’s growing obsession with whether a champion can finish fights in under 30 or 40 seconds has created a distorted and frankly frustrating environment, both for players and for the game’s broader design philosophy, and I have evidence of this
Nowhere is this more evident than in the reaction to champions like Blue Marvel, a rather complex, utility-driven character with ramp-up mechanics, nuanced counters, and later usage potential across Story Quests, Alliance War, Incursions, Coliseum, and the new AQ format.. Despite his unique strengths and the initial hype for such a powerful character, early reactions on the official forums and social platforms are currently dominated by disappointment, not because of flaws in his kit, but simply because he did not fit the mold of a “Battlegrounds monster.” Posts revealing his spotlight received dislikes within minutes, clearly reflecting a knee-jerk dismissal rooted in a one-dimensional evaluation standard.
What’s worse is that even many content creators. some of whom are typically thoughtful and analytical, like Lagacy, have started falling into this meta trap. Content that focuses on 30 second nukes, “god-tier” Battlegrounds champions, and hyper-optimized matchups inevitably generates more views, clicks, and engagement. As a result, even considerably good champions with situational value are often ignored or outright labeled as “mid” if they don’t meet that BG standard, regardless of how impactful they might be in other parts of the game.
But this mindset doesn’t just promote inaccurate takes, it actively takes away the core of what makes MCOC special: its strategic depth, champion diversity, and wide-ranging content. Champions should be judged by how many areas of the game they contribute to, not how fast they can secure a win in a single, time-sensitive mode. For example, champions like Cull Obsidian might appear impressive on paper due to raw damage output, but they fall apart entirely in nodes like Polka Dot Power, where power gain is tied to DOT effects, something he completely lacks. This proves that “meta” status is fragile and entirely dependent on context.
Moreover, the idea that only meta champions are worth ranking up is simply unsustainable. It leads to rosters bloated with glass cannons and nuke champions, but with glaring weaknesses when faced with niche nodes, complex boss fights, or utility-heavy encounters. Smart players understand that true roster strength comes from coverage — from having options. Options that aren’t always trendy. Options that aren’t always flashy. But options that work.
A champion isn’t “bad” because they’re not in the top 5 of a tier list. A champion is bad when they offer no unique utility, no relevant matchup value, and no practical place in any major content. That bar is far lower than what the current discourse suggests. And by ignoring that nuance, we lose out on creative team-building, smart counters, and the satisfaction of finding overlooked champions that shine in the right situation.
It’s time for the community, some content creators included, to break free of the Battlegrounds echo chamber. The Contest is vast with evolving metas, rotating nodes, and a need for strategic depth. Let’s stop asking only how fast a champion is. Let’s start asking where they shine, and why that still matters
Sincerely, your friendly but disillusioned MCOC player
PS: I know I will get a lot of hate for this post, but let them try. Let the hate flow through them
