Summary
WithOverwatch 2nearing its second anniversary, it’s clear that the game has undergone several significant changes since its launch. While thePvE missions fromOverwatch 2Season 6may be all but confirmed as canceled, there have been notable adjustments to the core game modes. For instance, from the introduction of passive healing in Season 9, tank buffs in Season 11, and the anticipated return of 6v6 in Season 13, a lot has transpired.
Overwatch 2has consistently delivered unique updates, including new maps, game modes, and story-driven content. Despite some controversy, these additions have kept the player base engaged and eager for more. However, one critical part ofOverwatch 2’s roadmap is still uncertain: who the next hero will be.
Overwatch 2 Is Currently in Uncharted Territory
Overwatch 2 Typically Debuts New Heroes Every Other Season
WhenOverwatch 2launched in October 2022, it featured Kiriko, Junker Queen, and Sojourn. Following this, fans anticipated Mauga to be revealed as the next tank during the2022 Overwatch League Grand Finals, but were surprised when Ramattra was announced instead. Mauga eventually did make his way into the hero-shooter, though Lifeweaver and Illari arrived first.
Sojourn made her initial debut in theOverwatch 2beta.
Interestingly, both Venture and Juno wereunveiled at BlizzCon 2023. The DPS hero was highlighted in a gameplay showcase, while Juno, still under the codename “Space Ranger,” remained in development. Since Team 4 usually releases a new hero every other season, players are left wondering who the next playable character will be following Season 13. As such, for the first time in several months, this particular part ofOverwatch 2’s roadmap has been left unclear.
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Fans Already Have Theories As To Whom Overwatch 2’s Next Tank Will Be
While it appears Blizzard may have unintentionallyteased a newOverwatch 2heroat BlizzCon 2023, there’s no solid proof confirming their identity or whether they will be the next hero released. Nevertheless, based on the current hero rotation, a tank hero seems likely to be next. That being said, there have been exceptions before, as Lifeweaver and Illari were both back-to-back Support releases.
“Based on the current hero rotation, a tank hero forOverwatch 2seems likely to be next.”
Fans speculate that existing characters fromOverwatch: Declassified, such as theunreleasedOverwatchhero Soundquake, could be the tank fated for Season 14. First glimpsed in a promotional image at the end ofOverwatch’s 2014 Cinematic Trailer, Soundquake is said to have joinedOverwatchafter the Omnic Crisis. Notably, he is recognized for his distinctive chest missiles. Additionally, while there are a few background characters in the promotional image that have not yet been added to the game, the only prominently displayed ones that were unplayable by 2016 were Soundquake and Echo - the latter of which is obviously now included in the hero shooter.
On the other hand, the spiky green hair on the tank character’s icon, observed during Venture’s gameplay in the internal build, hints that this character might be Greta Knuckles. Knuckles, a newer character, appears on posters and signs around Arena (A)in the Flashpoint map New Junk City. While details about her are sparse, she is identified as a Junker gladiator. Notably, her green hair closely resembles that of the character leaked at BlizzCon 2023, though this may be a coincidence.
Considering Blizzard usually starts teasing new heroes at least a season ahead, it’s likely that details about this mysterious character will begin to emerge in the coming months. Furthermore, withOverwatch 2players eagerly anticipatingthe return of 6v6 in Season 13and upcoming changes to Clash, there’s a lot to look forward to. Hopefully, Team 4 will share more information about the next hero soon.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
