Overwatch 2’s tank function has been in a clumsy spot because the sequel took one among 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 large glass cannons. After months of complaints, Blizzard is now actively acknowledging the issue.
In a brand new Director’s Take weblog submit, sport director Aaron Keller mentioned that the group’s knowledge 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 struggle. This implies assist gamers are considerably tethered to tanks, so two of three roles are struggling, whereas he harm heroes gentle everybody else up.
In consequence, the group has began utilizing a brand new inside metric of “tankiness” that measures the variety of hero deaths a tank character has in comparison with what number of they “should expertise.” Keller says that he can’t go into element for what an anticipated loss of life 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, nevertheless it’s nonetheless not the place the group desires it.
Now that the issue’s been recognized, Keller says the group is seeking to see how they’ll deal with this, each with broad adjustments throughout the sport and focused tweaks for various heroes. Some concepts talked about within the weblog submit embody lowering the influence of the harm function passive, and giving Reinhardt’s shields some buffs. Blizzard will likely be releasing a patch focusing on tankiness throughout the board that can drop both mid-season 11 or initially of season 12.
Finally, online game steadiness is in a relentless state of flux and it’s uncommon that everybody is glad, nevertheless it’s a minimum of good to see a widely-regarded downside 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 slightly 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.
.