[2021] Top 4 reasons of why Kali is underpicked

Originally posted by Kestrel Hudson: Here's my take on the hot topic:

1. Weak gadget. Let's be frank, it's only use is destroying Bandit's battaries (if he happens to roam) and sometimes shields and Castle barricades. That's it. In a competitive match, unlike Thatcher's EMP (or IQ's and Twitch's gadgets) It's useless against most of the other defender gadgets (Echo drones, Lesion traps, Jager ADSes, etc) - due to it's nature and the limited AOE. Probably, the most importantly - it can be easily cheesed by Kaid.

In ranked, there's almost no use in bringing her for opening a wall, only in case if defenders picked Bandit, and he has decided to not trick the wall. Since Thatcher is usually banned, there's no reason for trying to Bandit trick, just put Kaid's lance below the floor or above the ceiling. I do it everytime. She is inferior to Thatcher in almost every way.

2. Arms damage mutliplier as the source of the inconsistency of the gun. I think the main reason of why it feels this inconsitent is the seperate damage multiplier for arms. I think it generally creates many frustrating situations, in which people blame bad netcode or hitboxes. But single-shot weapons are the most sensitive to this crap, and it's obvious when a shoulder or an arm was hit. Since if this one shot won't connect to the chest or head Kali is surely going to end up being dead. I was able to kill Kali several times in face to face combat after I was hit by her gun and should've been dead. It never felt like I've deserved to be a winner.

Please, remove this mechanic from R6 - the game, where lean spam and pixel peaks from leaning position (i.e., when only hands and part of the head are visible) are common things.

3. The whole sniping thing, as if you are supposed to hold an angle from outside the map, it just doesn't work in Siege. Every single place (like Ruins at Coastline or the roof at Clubhouse) are common, and usually could be picked from several doors and windows, while Kali can hold only one in her sights. Standing still in one position is a good way to get yourself killed. Even if a defender is going to attack from the location Kali is looking at, it could be attempted to quick-peak or prefired. Which Kali can't do much against due to non-existant fire rate.

At the same time, lots of maps leave attackers open for peaking out of numerous positions in building. I.e. it's easier to snipe as defender. You can change positions, you can hold an angle and wait till an attacker enters it, etc. Look at the Plane as the most terrible example. Maps aren't designed with covering sniper-fire mentality in mind. Like imagine a terminal building at the same Plane map, in which Glaz or Kali could freely move around and shoot from several positions, then quickly change their location.

4. Holding an angle inside a building as an attacker (i.e. when you are supposed to contest enemy position and not otherwise) usually isn't the best strat. Especially if you solo-que, and there is Caveira or some other roamer hanging around. Kali's gun has slow ADS and no RPM at all, slows down your movement and has a huge magnification which forces you to tunnel vision. It literally makes you the easiest possible prey for flanking.



The changes suggested by the latest patchnotes don't make any sense and only makes Kali even less viable than she already is.

There's a lot to digest here, but one thing I do want to focus on is the first point you made and her gun. I think the reason some people don't pick her (and why I don't) is because of her sniper. At all times, players want a gun that they can at least have a shot with in gunfights. A sniper in medium/close close range is tough to use, and even if you're using a sidearm, you're at a disadvantage if you're up against a K1A, MP7, etc. Her sniper is a great weapon when in the right hands, but I understand why (seemingly) most players tend to avoid her. It also could be that Kali seeming like an intimidating operator to people who feel they can't use a sniper in this game due to the meta.

In regards to the Kaid strat you listed, I'm surprised in the games you've played it hasn't been countered since all it takes is IQ and someone to help trade if she dies.

Now, let's talk about her gadget. Personally, I think it's a solid alternative to Thatcher if everyone plays their part. I found that it can easily counter a Mute, Bandit, Kaid if you have Ace on the board to get walls open just a bit faster.