Overwatch 2 Introduces Dynamic Hero Perks for Enhanced Gameplay
Key Changes:
* Heroes now level up during matches, unlocking perks at Levels 2 and 3.
* Perks offer significant gameplay enhancements, such as:
* Mercy's blue beam affecting two allies simultaneously
* Reaper gaining a secondary fire
* Orisa transitioning from damage to a defensive tank role
Motivation Behind Perks:
* Prevent Overwatch from becoming stale and stagnant
* Provide players with more choice and flexibility in hero customization
* Cater to specific player preferences, such as providing a "support Sombra" option
Perk Development Journey:
* Early perk designs were conservative, but playtesting led to more adventurous concepts.
* Tracer's perk, initially providing one blink charge upon recall, was expanded to restore all charges.
Balancing Considerations:
* Perks bring a significant number of buffs (168 across 42 heroes).
* Blizzard acknowledges the need for careful monitoring and potential adjustments.
* Perks provide a new avenue for future balancing decisions that are more impactful.
Long-Term Impact and Vision:
* Perks will change seasonally to maintain freshness and keep gameplay dynamic.
* Blizzard aims to preserve the fun and flexibility of Overwatch while embracing a degree of chaos.
* Season 15 (starting February 18) will debut hero perks in both Quickplay and Competitive modes.