For the most part, Blizzard aims to give everyOverwatch 2character a fully unique weapon type. Sombra has her SMG, Torbjorn has his Rivet Gun, and Doomfist has his gauntlet, all of which are exclusive to their kits. However, with 35 heroes and counting, there is naturally going to be some overlap here and there. This is seen with the new Tank Ramattra and theiconic Support hero Mercy, as both of these characters use a staff as their primary weapon.
Though Mercy uses her staff to heal and boost allies, Ramattra’s bulkier weapon looks like it emits a beam of damage. It also suits his backstory, as he was once a Shambali monk alongside his close friend Zenyatta. Ultimately, this shows that multiple abilities can be build out of one weapon archetype, and it is not the only example, as it is a recurring thing with certain members of theOverwatch 2roster. As such, fans should not be surprised if Blizzard assigns characters weapon types that they have already seen with past heroes, considering that each weapon can provide several gameplay experiences if a few tweaks are made.
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Overwatch 2 Has Already Been Making Similar Weapons Work Well
It is worth noting that Mercy and Ramattra’s staves are not the only example of similar weapon types being utilized for two members of the game’s cast. Kiriko’s Kunai clearly resemble Genji’s Shuriken in functionality, which makes sense since they were originally considered for the cyborg ninja.Soldier 76and Sojourn’s weapons feel different overall, but both have similar primary fires and a powerful secondary fire.
This is especially true with shotguns, as Roadhog,Junker Queen, and Reaper all make use of this weapon type. Despite this, every one of the shotguns feels different to use, as various pellet types and range cutoffs allows players to approach each situation differently. If three shotgun wielders can exist, Blizzard can absolutely do more with some other weapons that have appeared in the game.
Weapon Types That Are Worth Another Look in Overwatch 2
The most obvious weapon type that deserves a revisit with anewOverwatch 2herois a sword. Currently, the only sword featured within the hero shooter is Genji’s dragonblade, which comes out a few times per match once his ultimate is activated. Though this makes it feels special, it is easy to imagine a character with a sword as their primary weapon, joining characters like Reinhardt and Brigitte and swinging her blade around constantly.
Another mech-based character like D.Va is worth considering, as fans have been asking for moremembers of MEKA squadto be playable for years. Given how high-tech the group’s mech suits are, adding another pilot alongside D.Va could be fun. While something like the self-eject could return, having a lighter mech that suits the Support or Damage role a bit better could result in a fun character that feels nothing like D.Va, apart from a similar aesthetic for the mech and the presence of a self eject mechanic whenever it is destroyed.
Alongside another mech user and sword-wielder, Blizzard could make a character like Bastion, with the adorable bot possibly coming across another lost Omnic inOverwatch 2’s PvE campaign. Though the two could have similar designs, their abilities could be entirely different, as Blizzard could give this Omnic completely different transformations. The Tank mode from Bastion’sOverwatch1 kit could come back, and a helicopter mode could allow a new bot to fight in the sky like Pharah. Though there are still some weapon types and concepts that remain unexplored, Blizzard can return to some of its existing characters to inspire new ones.
Overwatch 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
