If you are interested in esports, you may have encountered the term ‘CC’ being used by players, commentators, or analysts. But what does it mean, and how does it affect the gameplay and strategy of different esports titles? In this article, we will explain the meaning of ‘CC’, its origin, and some examples of how it is used in esports.
What is ‘CC’ in esports?
‘CC’ is an acronym for ‘Crowd Control’, which refers to abilities or skills that impair an opponent’s movement or actions. ‘CC’ can be used to disable, slow, stun, silence, knock up, knock back, or otherwise hinder an enemy, making them vulnerable to attacks or preventing them from escaping or retaliating. ‘CC’ is a crucial element of esports, as it can create opportunities for kills, objectives, or team fights, or save allies from danger.
The term ‘CC’ comes from the genre of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPG), where it is used to describe a tactic of controlling multiple enemies at once, usually by using spells or items that affect a large area or multiple targets. In MMORPG games, such as World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, or Guild Wars 2, ‘CC’ is often used to manage the difficulty of encounters, such as dungeons or raids, by reducing the number of active enemies or their effectiveness.
How is ‘CC’ used in different esports genres?
While the term ‘CC’ originated from MMORPG games, it has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), First-Person Shooter (FPS), or Fighting games. However, the meaning and usage of ‘CC’ may vary depending on the game and the context. Here are some examples of how ‘CC’ is used in different esports genres:
In MOBA games, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, or Heroes of the Storm, ‘CC’ is used to describe a role or a function of a character or an ability. In MOBA games, ‘CC’ is typically a feature of support, tank, or initiator characters, who use their ‘CC’ abilities to set up or protect their team. ‘CC’ is also a factor of balance and counterplay, as some characters or items may have ‘CC’ immunity, resistance, or removal. Some examples of ‘CC’ abilities in MOBA games are Blitzcrank’s Rocket Grab, Lion’s Hex, or Muradin’s Storm Bolt.
In FPS games, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Valorant, or Overwatch, ‘CC’ is used to describe a mechanic or an effect of a weapon or an ability. In FPS games, ‘CC’ is usually a secondary or tertiary feature of a weapon or an ability, rather than a primary one. ‘CC’ is often used to complement or enhance the damage or utility of a weapon or an ability, rather than to disable or immobilize an enemy. Some examples of ‘CC’ effects in FPS games are flashbangs, slows, or knockbacks.
In Fighting games, such as Street Fighter, Tekken, or Mortal Kombat, ‘CC’ is used to describe a state or a condition of a character or a move. In Fighting games, ‘CC’ is usually a result of a successful or a failed action, rather than a deliberate or a strategic one. ‘CC’ is often used to create or break combos, or to punish or reward mistakes. Some examples of ‘CC’ states in Fighting games are stun, knockdown, or launch.
What are some examples of ‘CC’ players or characters in esports?
To illustrate the concept of ‘CC’ further, here are some examples of famous ‘CC’ players or characters in esports:
In League of Legends, one of the most renowned ‘CC’ players is Bae “Bengi” Seong-woong, who is widely regarded as one of the best junglers of all time. Bengi is known for his impeccable timing, positioning, and coordination with his team. He often uses his ‘CC’ abilities to initiate or secure kills, objectives, or team fights for his team. Some of his signature ‘CC’ characters are Elise, Lee Sin, and Nunu.
In CS:GO, one of the most skilled ‘CC’ players is Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, who is considered as one of the best players in the world. NiKo is known for his amazing aim, reflexes, and clutch ability. He often uses his ‘CC’ weapons or abilities to blind, slow, or push his enemies, giving him an advantage in duels or situations. Some of his notable ‘CC’ weapons or abilities are flashbangs, molotovs, or HE grenades.
In Street Fighter, one of the most dominant ‘CC’ players is Hajime “Tokido” Taniguchi, who is regarded as one of the best players in the world. Tokido is known for his impeccable execution, mix-ups, and mind games. He often uses his ‘CC’ moves or states to stun, knockdown, or launch his opponents, creating opportunities for combos or finishes. Some of his notable ‘CC’ moves or states are Akuma’s V-Trigger, Raging Demon, or Critical Art.
To Sum Up
The term ‘CC’ is a common esports term that refers to abilities or skills that impair an opponent’s movement or actions. The term ‘CC’ originated from MMORPG games, where it is used to describe a tactic of controlling multiple enemies at once. However, the term ‘CC’ has since been adopted by other esports genres, such as MOBA, FPS, or Fighting games, where it may have different meanings and usages depending on the game and the context. The term ‘CC’ is often used to praise or criticize a player’s performance, skill, or impact on the game.