Overwatch 2 Introduces Hero Perks, Shaking Up gameplay
Hero Perks Arrive February 18
Blizzard Entertainment has unveiled a major gameplay update for Overwatch 2, introducing hero perks that will significantly alter the game's dynamics. Effective February 18th, heroes will earn experience points throughout matches, earning them two levels and the ability to choose between two perks at levels 2 and 3.
Evoking Creativity and Player Choice
Lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson emphasizes that hero perks were in development long before their public announcement, with the primary goal of fostering player creativity and expanding gameplay possibilities. Dawson explains that the team sought ways to "identify the creative ways players are already using heroes and designing perks that serve that fantasy."
Early versions of perks were more conservative, but extensive playtesting encouraged a bolder approach. For instance, Tracer's perk now fully restores her blink charges upon recall, rather than the initial conservative version that restored only one charge.
Addressing Overwatch's Potential Stagnation
Dawson acknowledges concerns about Overwatch's potential stagnation and the desire to introduce more choice and evolution. Hero perks embody this approach, giving players the ability to customize their heroes' abilities and playstyles.
Experimentation, Risk-Taking, and Future Balancing
The team recognizes the potential for chaos with the introduction of 168 buffs across 42 heroes. However, Dawson highlights that players have expressed a desire for greater complexity. Perks provide a platform for more impactful balancing decisions and "new knobs to turn" for future adjustments.
Perks will be subject to seasonal changes, including balance adjustments, perk removals, and the addition of new "perk drops" to maintain freshness.
Fun and Flexibility for Players
Dawson emphasizes that despite the potential upheaval, the team remains committed to the game's core focus on fun and player enjoyment. Hero perks aim to provide players with greater freedom to experiment and play heroes in ways that resonate with their preferred playstyles.
Overwatch 2 Season 15, commencing February 18th, will incorporate hero perks into both Quickplay and Competitive modes. Stadium, a new third-person mode with a separate upgrade system, will be introduced in Season 16 alongside the new hero Freja.