New Imagined Abilities for Future Heroes in Overwatch
Overwatch, a popular first-person shooter video game, is continuously evolving with new characters and abilities. However, the team at Blizzard Entertainment might find themselves questioning the direction of future hero designs. Should each new character be entirely unique, or do they borrow elements from older heroes? This article explores potential new abilities for future heroes in Overwatch, with a focus on balance and gameplay fun.
The Current State of Healing Mechanics in Overwatch
The current state of healing mechanics in Overwatch has garnered mixed reviews from the community. Characters like Moira, Mercy, and Ana provide excellent support, but there are concerns that they might be too overpowered. On the other hand, characters like Baguette and Zenyatta have their unique strengths and weaknesses, making them less desirable.
Identifying Areas for Improvement
One of the main challenges in Overwatch is balancing the healing capabilities of different heroes. Some players feel that there aren't enough engaging and fun healing options. For example:
Moira: Her healing abilities can feel underwhelming, especially compared to Mercy. Mercy: Her droning healing can feel repetitive and uninteresting. Ana: While she is acceptable, her kit feels somewhat limited. Baguette: Her abilities, while unique, can be a bit repetitive. Zenyatta: His ultimate ability feels contradictory to his core gameplay, and his healing is most effective during sustained fights. Lucio: His healing and crowd control abilities are often contradictory, as he can wall-ride and boop people, yet his auras require him to stay near his team.A Balanced Battlefield Medic Class
Based on these observations, a new class of hero, the field medic, could bring a fresh and engaging gameplay experience to Overwatch. This character would focus on providing reliable healing and support on the battlefield.
Hero Design and Abilities
A potential design for this new hero is a semi-automatic rifle that provides moderate damage, around 30 points. However, the key abilities and healing options would outweigh the damage dealt:
Med Pack Deployment: The hero could deploy a med pack on the ground for area-of-effect healing. Only allies within range can access the healing. The healing could be as effective as Zenyatta's, with a rate of 25 healing per second. Area-of-Effect Healing: The med pack could be repositioned within a certain range, similar to Winston's turret. The pack could automatically disappear after 10 seconds of inactivity, with a 7-10 second cooldown to relocate it. Weapon Highlights: The hero's weapon could highlight hit targets for 5 seconds, refreshing upon firing again. Alternatively, allies within the med pack could reload faster, have less time between abilities, and have enemies highlighted through walls when an enemy is within sight.Ultimate Ability
The ultimate ability could either be a single med pack with increased healing over time or the selection of a med pack to boost healing. The smokescreen could include effects such as slowing enemy movement speed and increasing the time between abilities while inside the screen.
Implementation and Outcome
This design choice would bring a fresh balance to Overwatch, offering players more strategic options for support and healing. The new hero would provide a reliable and engaging experience, without overshadowing the existing heroes. It would also cater to the desire for unique abilities without creating an overpowered character.
Conclusion
The future of Overwatch heroes is an exciting prospect, with the potential to bring new and engaging abilities to the game. A balanced battlefield medic class could offer players a fresh and enjoyable experience. While not an official suggestion from Blizzard, this idea offers a plausible and fun addition to the existing Overwatch hero roster.