Summary
- Overwatch 2 faces player frustration and potential boycotts over meta issues and hero balance.
- Hanzo rework may be on the horizon to address balance and core identity concerns.
- Blizzard must carefully consider Hanzo's abilities and potential impact on other sniper heroes.
The eleventh season of Overwatch 2, though still early, has sparked a diverse range of reactions among players. While many fans are excited about collaborations like Overwatch 2 and Transformers, others are frustrated with the current meta. For instance, high win rates for flying heroes like Pharah have led to some players threatening to boycott the game until certain heroes are nerfed.
Amid frustration over perceived unfair abilities in the Overwatch 2 playerbase, Blizzard must stay vigilant in future hero reworks. One hero potentially slated for an overhaul is Hanzo, the mid-range sniper and brother of Genji. Based on a June interview with lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson, Team 4 acknowledges that Hanzo's playstyle may have strayed from his core identity. Such a statement suggests a potential rework focused on restoring his unique character could be on the horizon.
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Overwatch 2 Walks a Fine Line Between Nostalgia and Gameplay Balance
Blizzard Needs To Demonstrate Care With Its Sniper Heroes
The prospect of a Hanzo rework in Overwatch 2 presents a complex situation for Blizzard. While an overhaul offers the opportunity to revitalize his gameplay and address balance issues, it also carries the risk of alienating his current player base. The recent discussions regarding protecting Hanzo's core identity further complicate matters.
One potential solution Blizzard might be considering is the revival of Scatter Arrow, an ability from Hanzo's original Overwatch kit that evokes strong feelings of nostalgia among veteran players. Removed in patch 1.23 in March 2019 and replaced by Sonic Arrow, Scatter Arrow allowed Hanzo to fire an arrow that fragmented upon hitting walls or objects, potentially hitting multiple targets. While some fans might welcome the return of this gimmicky ability, it would also raise several concerns about the state of the game.
Considering that Scatter Arrow was removed due to its overpowered nature, reintroducing it may not seem like a prudent decision. Not only did some players find it rather clunky to use, but there were complaints about its unpredictability and RNG-like characteristics. Notably, Overwatch 2 players had the opportunity to experience Scatter Arrow themselves during February 2023, during the Love of Geometry Arcade Mode. While the ricocheting arrows provided entertainment in a less serious environment, the positive reception in this casual setting may not translate well to normal game modes.
"Considering that Scatter Arrow was removed due to its overpowered nature, reintroducing it may not seem like a prudent decision."
Overwatch 2 Needs to Exercise Caution with Its Sniper Characters
According to Dawson, discussions about Hanzo's rework have also highlighted changes to his "one-shot threshold." Overwatch 2 has a history of grappling with the balance of its sniper heroes' one-shot potential, though it's worth noting that characters like Junkrat and Venture can achieve similar one-shot eliminations by comboing their abilities. As such, the challenge for Team 4 lies in determining whether adjustments to Hanzo's one-shot threshold can address player concerns while steering him away from becoming too dominant.
Interestingly, a potential restoration of Hanzo's one-shot elimination ability could reignite discussions regarding reworks for other long-range heroes, such as Widowmaker. Widowmaker's effectiveness already hinges on precise aim, with damage falloff starting at 70 meters and negating one-shot kills on most squishy targets beyond 100 meters. Reintroducing Hanzo with a similar one-shot threshold, albeit at a different range, could upset the current balance among snipers and potentially necessitate adjustments to Widowmaker's abilities.
After all, while Hanzo isn't a hitscan hero, his sniping abilities are often closely compared to Widowmaker's. While the disparity between Hanzo's projectiles and Widowmaker's hitscan abilities creates a unique dynamic, if one consistently outperforms the other, adjustments would likely be necessary. With the ongoing debate about the viability of one-shot abilities in Overwatch 2, it's clear that Blizzard needs to proceed with caution if it decides to go through with a Hanzo rework.
Overwatch 2
- Released
- August 10, 2023
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.
