Overwatch Players Upset with Jetpack Cat’s Ultimate Overlook Simple Solution

Check out any Overwatch forum with a post mentioning Jetpack Cat in the title, and you’re likely to find a wave of complaints or grumpy comments. Often, players are grumbling about her absurd fuel supply, which definitely needs some tweaking in future patches, and her tiny hitbox. But the real hot topic is her ultimate, which absolutely should not be nerfed. Sure, it’s frustrating to get taken out by the cat bus to hell before you even know what hit you, but there are plenty of ways to counter or avoid it. It just requires teamwork and the right abilities.

One straightforward approach is simply to avoid getting hit, which sounds easier than it is—unless you’re playing as Sigma or a tank with no mobility options. Jetpack Cat gives a distinct yowl before she leaps, and this happens after she’s already locked onto her target. This means she can’t change direction at the last second. So, unless she’s right on the ground and close, you’ve got about a second to activate a mobility skill—or use something like Anran’s Dancing Blaze to dodge her attack.

If you do get caught in her pounce, don’t worry—there are several ways to rescue your teammate. Any ability that stuns or disrupts an enemy will interrupt Jetpack Cat’s ultimate, even if she’s flying off with your ally (though it’s probably not wise to cancel it if they’re already heading off the edge of the map). Some options include:

There are also other potential counters, but they require precise timing. Abilities like Reinhardt’s charge or Earth Shatter, Brigitte’s shield bash, Wuyang’s tidal blast, and Mei’s blizzard can work, but they’re more of a rare occurrence.

Your team has some support heroes who can help out too. Lifeweaver’s life grip can snatch an ally from Jetpack Cat’s grasp, as long as you’re within range, and it can even activate after the tether ends, pulling them back from the abyss. Your own Jetpack Cat can also initiate a lifeline tether after the drop to rescue them. Just remember, the catnapped ally needs to accept the grapple, so hopefully, they’re paying attention.

And if you find yourself being carried off against your will, you can fight back. Take some shots at Jetpack Cat, and depending on your character, you might just take her out before she completes the drop.

Skilled Jetpack Cat players typically target your team’s tank or whoever is causing the most trouble for them. So, if you’re playing a character that can counter Jetpack Cat (which you should be if she’s on the enemy team), keep an eye on your teammates who are most likely to be targeted.

The developers want to emphasize team play in Overwatch’s future, and figuring out how to handle Jetpack Cat’s ultimate is a key part of that. The friction that encourages players to master their character kits is a positive aspect of the game. Let’s hope the developers keep this in mind when the inevitable balance changes for Jetpack Cat start coming in.