Jetpack Cat is easily the breakout star of Overwatch’s relaunch this week. The support hero is exactly what she sounds like (a cat with a jetpack, that is), and can tether both friends and foes to her jetpack and fly them around the battlefield to give them either unprecedented high ground or a quick tumble down the side of a map. It makes for great clips, hilarious antics, and game-changing plays when you’re coordinating with your teammates. But also, this fleabag is such a menace that she’s getting banned in almost every ranked match.
This sweet baby angel who’s never done anything wrong is named Fika, and is joining Sombra in Overwatch jail in competitive play, where players vote to ban heroes each game. I guess comp players can’t stand a little bit of whimsy? They’re mad about going on a little joyride out of bounds because it interrupts their perfectly lined-up headshots? At this rate, if you want to even play Jetpack Cat, you have to head into Quick Play or an arcade mode where bans aren’t implemented. Those who want to play her are begging on social media for other ranked players to let her out of her crate. They’re also doing this with clips of her being an absolute nuisance, so maybe they need to reconsider their messaging.
STOP BANNING JETPACK CAT. ITS NOT THAT BAD. JUST LET ME PLAY HERRRR. pic.twitter.com/L7CHsonYSQ
— ˖ ֹ੭୧ vel ⊹ ࣪ ⑅ (@MERCYB0T) February 12, 2026
The trend has reached a point where Blizzard itself even acknowledged it.
NO BAN JETPACK CAT PLZ 🐱
NO BAN JETPACK CAT PLZ 🐱
NO BAN JETPACK CAT PLZ 🐱
NO BAN JETPACK CAT PLZ 🐱 pic.twitter.com/mi64om7xQo— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 12, 2026
Some of this is just players learning how to play and counter the hero. Jetpack Cat has only been in Overwatch for three days, and I’ve already found several characters who work well against her. Using Lifeweaver to pull a teammate to safety after they were nearly dragged off the map by the cat’s tether is one of the most satisfying heroic plays I’ve had as that character. Soldier: 76 and other hitscan characters can shoot her out of the sky pretty easily, or at least take enough off her health that she retreats. Sombra can hack her while she’s carrying another hero and make the tether malfunction. Every hero has their strengths and weaknesses, you just gotta take the time to learn them. Then maybe folks won’t see Jetpack Cat as such a threat and those who want to fly around as a cute kitty will get to play her more often.
