Overwatch 2’s tank function has been in an ungainly spot for the reason that sequel took one in all them out of the combination. The place as soon as the function prioritized team-wide protection, Overwatch 2 has constructed and reworked tanks to be frontline brawlers. Since then, the function has been in fixed flux as Blizzard has tried to higher outline the function. In latest seasons, it’s struggled immensely, as adjustments just like the harm hero passive that weakens therapeutic have turned some tanks into big glass cannons. After months of complaints, Blizzard is now actively acknowledging the issue.
In a brand new Director’s Take weblog publish, recreation director Aaron Keller mentioned that the workforce’s information confirms tank characters are struggling proper now. He says a lot of the issue boils right down to characters not feeling “tanky” sufficient, and it requires assist heroes to focus all their therapeutic on them simply to maintain a combat. This implies assist gamers are considerably tethered to tanks, so two of three roles are struggling, whereas he harm heroes gentle everybody else up.
Consequently, the workforce has began utilizing a brand new inner metric of “tankiness” that measures the variety of hero deaths a tank character has in comparison with what number of they “must expertise.” Keller says that he can’t go into element for what an anticipated dying charge entails, however says that gamers’ struggles with the tank function are backed up by the info Blizzard makes use of internally. A few of this was intentional and a results of latest adjustments, however most tanks (besides Wrecking Ball) moved “lots additional” down in survivability in comparison with different roles. The headshot harm discount for tanks helped, but it surely’s nonetheless not the place the workforce needs it.
Now that the issue’s been recognized, Keller says the workforce is trying to see how they will handle this, each with broad adjustments throughout the sport and focused tweaks for various heroes. Some concepts talked about within the weblog publish embrace decreasing the impression of the harm function passive, and giving Reinhardt’s shields some buffs. Blizzard will likely be releasing a patch concentrating on tankiness throughout the board that may drop both mid-season 11 or in the beginning of season 12.
Finally, online game stability is in a relentless state of flux and it’s uncommon that everybody is glad, but it surely’s at the least good to see a widely-regarded drawback getting the eye it deserves. I’ve just about stopped enjoying tank in my very own time, and whereas a part of that’s as a result of I’d fairly play my harm and assist characters on most days, the function may use an overhaul if it’s going to get me again to enjoying Orisa and Ramattra.
.