Cheese is a term used in esports that refers to strategies that are highly unconventional and unexpected. Cheese strategies are usually risky, aggressive, or gimmicky, and rely on the element of surprise or the lack of preparation from the opponent. Cheese strategies can be done for various reasons, such as to gain an early advantage, to exploit a weakness, to counter a meta, or to have fun. Cheese strategies can also have different outcomes, such as succeeding, failing, or backfiring, depending on the game and the situation.
How Do Cheese Strategies Work in Esports?
Cheese strategies can work differently in different esports games and genres, but generally, there are some common features and rules:
Cheese strategies are usually planned and executed in the early stages of the game, before the opponent can react or adapt. Cheese strategies can involve rushing, hiding, sneaking, or tricking the opponent, using unconventional or unexpected characters, items, skills, or tactics.
Cheese strategies are usually based on the assumption or the hope that the opponent is unaware or unprepared for the cheese. Cheese strategies can exploit the opponent’s lack of knowledge, experience, or scouting, or take advantage of the opponent’s habits, expectations, or overconfidence.
Cheese strategies are usually risky and all-in, meaning that they can either win or lose the game quickly and decisively. Cheese strategies can have a high reward, but also a high cost, as they can sacrifice resources, objectives, or opportunities for the cheese. Cheese strategies can also backfire, if the opponent is aware or prepared for the cheese, or if the cheese fails or goes wrong.
Examples of Cheese Strategies in Esports
Cheese strategies are a common phenomenon in many esports games, especially in the RTS and MOBA genres. Here are some examples of cheese strategies in popular esports titles:
In StarCraft II, a popular RTS game, cheese strategies are done by using fast or hidden buildings, units, or attacks, that can catch the opponent off guard or overwhelm them. Some of the most famous cheese strategies in StarCraft II are the cannon rush, the proxy barracks, the six pool, and the bunker rush. Cheese strategies can be done by any of the three races in the game, and can vary depending on the map, the matchup, and the meta.
In League of Legends, a popular MOBA game, cheese strategies are done by using unusual or unexpected champions, items, skills, or lanes, that can confuse or counter the opponent. Some of the most famous cheese strategies in League of Legends are the Teemo jungle, the Heimerdinger bot, the Pantheon support, and the funnel strategy. Cheese strategies can be done by any of the five roles in the game, and can vary depending on the patch, the mode, and the composition.
In Overwatch, a popular FPS game, cheese strategies are done by using unconventional or unorthodox heroes, compositions, or tactics, that can surprise or disrupt the opponent. Some of the most famous cheese strategies in Overwatch are the Bastion pirate ship, the Symmetra teleporter, the Mei ice wall, and the Torbjörn turret. Cheese strategies can be done by any of the six players in the game, and can vary depending on the map, the mode, and the objective.
To Sum Up
Cheese strategies are strategies that are highly unconventional and unexpected and rely on the element of surprise or the lack of preparation from the opponent. Cheese strategies are usually risky, aggressive, or gimmicky, and can either win or lose the game quickly and decisively. Cheese strategies can be done for various reasons, such as to gain an early advantage, to exploit a weakness, to counter a meta, or to have fun. Cheese strategies can be found in many esports games and genres, such as StarCraft II, League of Legends, and Overwatch, where the players can use fast or hidden buildings, units, or attacks, unusual or unexpected champions, items, skills, or lanes, or unconventional or unorthodox heroes, compositions, or tactics, to surprise or disrupt the opponent. Cheese strategies can make esports more diverse and complex, as they create different options and outcomes for the players.