With the Overwatch 2 PVP beta closing on May 17, the consensus seems to be that the game is overall very similar to its 2016 predecessor. However, this team-based shooter’s biggest change comes from the developer’s decision to shift from 6v6 to 5v5, with one tank, two DPS, and two supports. Because of this, an Overwatch 2 player's individual skill now has more carrying potential now than ever before.
Team composition has always been important, but in Overwatch 2 it may be more vital because each player must act more strategically, following the loss of a sixth teammate. A few picks in a team fight of only ten players can drastically turn the tide. On top of this, reworks and adaptations in known strategies are inevitability needed for both a team's line-up and its ability to adapt to new and altered Overwatch environments.
One Less Tank Leaves Overwatch's Squishies Vulnerable
Experience with past maps can give long-term players an advantage over incoming gamers, especially for good flank routes now that there is only one tank. While the beta retained some original and beloved maps such as Kings Row, Route 66, and, Watchpoint: Gibraltar, a few classics were missing from the showcased rotation. Those not included were Junkertown, Havana, Blizzard World, Hollywood, Numbani, Nepal, and Busan. It is uncertain at this time if these maps will be included in the next beta, though it was confirmed by Blizzard that a series of beta tests would occur throughout 2022. It seems likely that other maps will be available to play. News on this may be released in the upcoming Overwatch event broadcast on June 16.
It seems that the newest mode, called “Push”, has replaced Assault, which used to center around Volskaya Industries, Temple of Anubis, and Hanamura. In the first Overwatch, players battle to capture or defend capture points located around the map. In Overwatch 2, however, Push has become the latest fascination, with teams contending a movable robot back and forth in order to push the robot into the enemy’s field. It seems reminiscent of Escort, though there is no switch off from defense or offense like there is with a payload. Unlike other game modes, Push currently only takes place in two of the newly released maps: Colosseo and New Queen Street.
For long or mid-range snipers like Hanzo and Widowmaker, both Colosseo and New Queen Street have the potential to be an elimination playground, especially now that double-shielded tanks are unavailable in Overwatch 2. These two DPS retain their ability to one-shot squishy units, such as support players, which can be critical in team fights. Positioning is important in countering a good sniper, though picking them off may still prove difficult, as Widowmaker has been buffed with 25 additional HP, putting her at 200 HP rather than 175 HP. To take her out, off-tanks would need to peel and solo dive, or a team's DPS would likely need to respond with a sniper or a stealth character like Sombra.
Aggressiveness Takes Priority in Overwatch 2's Meta
With such a shift from the original Overwatch meta and new gameplay modes, Overwatch League professional players Space and Super have commented that Overwatch 2 feels like a Call of Duty game or a round of deathmatch. Having just a single player performing well can make the entire difference in this new game mode, as seen in many content creators' experiences with the beta. This new approach is rather controversial, as many players believe that working with other players and aligning synergy is what made the first Overwatch so unique, while others believe that there was too much riding on waiting for openings, poking to gain ult charge, and ult trading.
Playing alongside a steady tank is more vital now than ever, while those who consistently play DPS are likely to pick off other Overwatch players simply by being more aggressive and pushing the tank backward. Seizing opportunities to press forward, especially on Push maps, is extremely important. Tanks are much more durable now that healers only need to focus on one, but being able to get them off the battlefield is a game-changer. Being proactive is now being rewarded over those who play more reactively.
This theory is aided by the addition of a new Overwatch scoreboard that displays everyone's statistics rather than just showing a player their own performance. In 6v6, ult combos are normal and expected, but in Overwatch 2, players can pull off a decimating play on their own with the right timing and placement. At the very least, players who are truly performing well in the match are sure to be recognized, rather than just those who had the fanciest play of the game. In addition, players who used to claim they had gold medals for certain categories and blamed everyone except themselves for losses will be fact-checkable.
What Does This Mean for Ranked Gameplay?
While the PVP beta only featured a low-stakes classic mode, one of the most popular elements of Overwatch is its ranked gameplay. For gamers who enjoy climbing the Skill Rating ladder and desire more intense gameplay, Competitive is the place to sweat. In a 5v5 Competitive lobby, what players have seen in the beta will likely come to fruition when Overwatch 2 is released in full. If Blizzard doesn't make massive overhauls to the game, it currently looks like solo queue players will be able to rank up quicker in Competitive than in the original Overwatch, which might be a relief to those who feel they are stuck in certain ranks. However, queuing with one or two other players is still likely to be the best option, much like in previous seasons.
Overwatch 2 is in development.