Season 12 has been quite eventful for Overwatch 2, featuring numerous changes, new content, and shifts in the meta. While the recent concern about D.Va being overpowered has diminished, another hero, Juno, has rapidly risen in prominence since her introduction this season.
Initially, players were neutral about Juno's arrival, but a recent balance update has significantly impacted her standing in the meta. Let’s delve into the details of Juno’s ascent in Overwatch 2 and what this could mean for her future in the game.
Overwatch 2 Meta Shifts In Favor of Juno As Her Pick Rate Skyrockets
Many players, including those in higher ranks and professional circuits, initially overlooked Juno as a meta choice when she debuted. She didn’t particularly excel compared to other support heroes: Lucio was better for speed, Kiriko offered more damage output, and Ana dominated in crowd control (CC).
🤯 Classic Junoats: 10 Ultimates, 1 Winner. pic.twitter.com/6bZulJufVA
— FACEIT Overwatch (@FACEIT_OW) September 14, 2024
Without standout characteristics, Juno lacked initial appeal. However, following a recent hotfix patch that provided her with some much-needed buffs, many of her critics have changed their tune. Now, in the mid-Season 12 meta, she has become the go-to choice for many players, and her performance has been impressive.
According to stats from Overbuff, Juno has achieved some of the highest pick and win rates across all ranks over the past month, only being outperformed by Ana in the Bronze and Grandmaster ranks. Nevertheless, Juno remains a solid partner for Ana or Brigitte, reinforcing her strong presence in the current meta.
In ranks from Silver to Master, she consistently ranks above Ana, boasting a better win rate and average KDA. In Platinum, where many average players fall, Juno enjoys an impressive 8.26% pick rate and a 52.71% win rate, making her the most-picked hero and placing her among the top five in terms of win rate across the roster.
Juno's impact extends beyond casual play; she has also been embraced in the esports scene. During the OWCS Korea Stage Two event, commentators noted the prevalent use of Juno in team compositions, even coining the term "Junoats" to describe these setups, which often featured her alongside Brigitte in a rush comp with Ramattra, Mei, and Ashe.
As for her versatility, Juno has proven to be a viable option as either a main or flex support, excelling in poke, brawl, and dive compositions. With her recent buffs and the developers showing satisfaction with her performance, it seems likely that Juno will continue to dominate the support roster for the remainder of Season 12.