The recent Overwatch 2 beta has given players a taste of what is to come for the full release. Blizzard Entertainment has been open to sharing all the key changes between Overwatch 2 and its predecessor; most notably, changes to the heroes and team composition.

Overwatch has always been changed and tweaked, whether it was adding a new map or hero, or even reworking an entire class or ability. The developers have always made adjustments when needed and been open with the players as to why changes were made, and it is clear that Overwatch 2 is making some major adjustments.

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Overwatch’s Current Configuration

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The original Overwatch is a team-based shooter that has remained popular with fans throughout the years. The leading qualities of the game are its colorful cast of playable heroes, and its reliance on synergy between each of the players in any six-person team. Between the three different roles (DPS, Support, and Tank) players must configure the best combination of heroes to best the enemy team.

The current layout of Overwatch teams is two DPS, two support, and two tank players, all of which have crucial roles in the objective-based multiplayer. The actual heroes that fill these roles generally change from season to season, depending on adjustments that the developers have made to any given heroes, all working together to form Overwatch's current competitive meta. That being said, Overwatch 2 is not only aiming to overhaul these roles, but completely change the meta.

What Overwatch 2 is Changing

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The most obvious change to Overwatch 2 is altering the team size from six to five, dropping one of the tank roles and buffing the sole tank hero. When this change was first announced, it received some flak from fans who were worried that such a drastic change could negatively affect the game. Blizzard answered the fan's concerns by explaining why this change was being made, and what other parts of the game were being changed to help further balance each role.

In Overwatch 2, each role now has a passive ability that is designed to make each role feel more unique. DPS heroes have increased speed, tank heroes have reduced knock-back and cause less ultimate charge, and support heroes automatically heal over time. These abilities, on top of each hero's unique abilities, give each role more independence, which is necessary when reducing the number of players per team.

Blizzard is attempting to restructure the way Overwatch is played with Overwatch 2. Instead of relying too heavily on a bullet-sponge tank, the goal is for the role to be a brawler and viable part of the team that is not just a giant shield. With only one tank, DPS heroes are the ones who will be required to push objectives and make quick, game-changing moves. Finally, support heroes can worry less about their own health and focus more on healing teammates or even pushing back against opponents.

New heroes, maps, and hero reworks will all be contributing changes to the way Overwatch is played, and though these tweaks are nothing new to Overwatch, there are definitely more factors to think about in Overwatch 2. There are many aspects that are contributing to creating a solid team and strategy, and with all the changes coming in Overwatch 2, players will need to adapt to find the new competitive meta.

Overwatch 2 is in development.

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