Hot Take: Competitive Maps like winter 26 are more fun to watch and engage the community more than really hard maps

Maybe it’s not a hot take at all but I remember when the season came out people thought they were too easy to be competitive maps. Also some casual players said they were too hard to be normal black maps. With the season almost over I think they struck a good balance.

I’ve watched all of the elite cups and the recent dreamhack tournament. With the maps being easy to follow and close matches I think it makes the viewing experience better. From the average player point of view the maps aren’t so hard that players just don’t play them at all. They get halfway good at them and appreciate how good the pros really are at them. It’s also more entertaining that every race is neck to neck.