If you are new to esports, you may have heard the term ‘carry’ being used by players, casters, or analysts. But what does it mean, and how does it apply to different games and genres? In this article, we will explain the meaning of ‘carry’, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is a ‘carry’ in esports?
A ‘carry’ is a player or character who, if they perform well, will “carry” their team to victory. This means that they have a high impact on the outcome of the game, and often rely on their teammates to support them until they reach their full potential. A ‘carry’ usually has a weak early game, but a strong late game, meaning that they need time and resources to become powerful.
The term ‘carry’ comes from the genre of Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), where it is used to describe a role or a position in a team. In MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, a ‘carry’ is typically a damage dealer who focuses on killing enemy heroes and objectives. A ‘carry’ is often paired with a ‘support’, who is a player or character who helps the ‘carry’ by providing healing, protection, vision, or crowd control.
How is ‘carry’ used in different esports genres?
While the term ‘carry’ originated from MOBA games, it has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as First-Person Shooter (FPS), Real-Time Strategy (RTS), or Fighting games. However, the meaning and usage of ‘carry’ may vary depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how ‘carry’ is used in different esports genres:
In FPS games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, or Overwatch, a ‘carry’ is a player who consistently performs well and gets a lot of kills or eliminations. A ‘carry’ may also be a player who clutches a round or a match by winning a difficult situation, such as a 1v3 or a 1v4. A ‘carry’ in FPS games does not necessarily have a weak early game or a strong late game, but rather depends on their skill, aim, and game sense.
In RTS games, such as StarCraft II, Age of Empires, or Warcraft III, a ‘carry’ is a player who has a superior economy, army, or technology than their opponent. A ‘carry’ in RTS games may also be a player who executes a successful strategy, such as a rush, a timing attack, or a cheese. A ‘carry’ in RTS games may have a weak or a strong early game, depending on their chosen race, build order, or play style.
In Fighting games, such as Street Fighter, Tekken, or Mortal Kombat, a ‘carry’ is a player who dominates their opponent with their skill, combos, or mix-ups. A ‘carry’ in Fighting games may also be a player who makes a comeback from a disadvantageous position, such as a low health or a stun. A ‘carry’ in Fighting games does not have a weak or a strong early game, but rather depends on their character, matchup, or execution.
What are some examples of ‘carry’ players or characters in esports?
To illustrate the concept of ‘carry’ further, here are some examples of famous ‘carry’ players or characters in esports:
In League of Legends, one of the most iconic ‘carry’ players is Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok, who is widely regarded as the best player of all time. Faker is known for his incredible mechanical skill, game knowledge, and versatility. He can play any role or champion, but he is most famous for his mid lane ‘carry’ performances, where he often outplays his opponents and carries his team to victory. Some of his signature ‘carry’ champions are Zed, LeBlanc, and Ryze.
In CS:GO, one of the most legendary ‘carry’ players is Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev, who is considered as one of the best players in the world. S1mple is known for his amazing aim, reflexes, and clutch ability. He can play any role or weapon, but he is most renowned for his AWP ‘carry’ performances, where he often gets multiple kills or clutch rounds for his team. Some of his memorable ‘carry’ moments are his 1v4 on Cache, his 1v2 on Inferno, and his 1v3 on Train.
In StarCraft II, one of the most dominant ‘carry’ players is Joona “Serral” Sotala, who is regarded as one of the best players in the world. Serral is known for his impeccable macro, micro, and decision making. He can play any race or style, but he is most famous for his Zerg ‘carry’ performances, where he often overwhelms his opponents with his economy, army, or technology. Some of his notable ‘carry’ achievements are his 2018 WCS Global Finals win, his 2019 WESG win, and his 2020 IEM Katowice win.
To Sum Up
The term ‘carry’ is a common esports term that refers to a player or character who, if they perform well, will “carry” their team to victory. The term ‘carry’ originated from MOBA games, where it is used to describe a role or a position in a team. However, the term ‘carry’ has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as FPS, RTS, or Fighting games, where it may have different meanings and usages depending on the game and the context. The term ‘carry’ is often used to praise or criticize a player’s performance, skill, or impact on the game.