Overwatch’s experimental card is finished, and the Overwatch community cannot agree on whether it's worth it or not. While some see the experimental mode as a way to cut down on queue time and add some variety to the game, others look at it as a broken mode that prioritizes DPS mains.
The Experimental mode was introduced as a way to cut down on the long queue times that DPS players were experiencing after the introduction of role queuing. The mode consisted of one tank, two supports, and three damage characters instead of the traditional 2-2-2 setup, as well as adding a third damage character and removing a tank from the setup major changes were made to tank abilities and heal/armor. Zarya was able to place her bubble on the whole team within a certain radius, Roadhog left behind a nice healing cloud after using his “take a breather” ability, and D.Va’s matrix lasted twice as long and much more. Not to mention that all of these changes were accompanied with armor, health and shield buffs.
Theoretically, these changes were intended to balance the new role that tanks would have as giant meat shields now that there was only one of them and boosted damage coming at them. However, many players did not realize that as a result of these changes, the meta of the game was going to change as well. Both Overwatch tanks and supports cannot play this new mode the same way they did with the standard mode, and strategy doesn’t stay the same when a large portion of the game's format changes. In this mode, tanks had to single-handedly protect their team. Healers also had their role stressed, as they had to tilt every game in order to keep their tank alive keep themselves up, and with three damage characters, healers felt a lot more heat and had a hard time adjusting to the changes.
All these changes had those who couldn’t adjust to the new game format up in arms, as purists have been begging Blizzard not to add this mode to Overwatch's competitive or quick play. Many Tank and Support mains have expressed that despite the reduced queue time, the game simply isn’t worth playing because it is broken. There is no way to enjoy the changes and new game style that comes with it because, despite the tank buffs, the game is simply made for DPS to reign supreme.
Others on the Overwatch forums have expressed a love for the new mode. Many have said that this is a great solution to the long queue times, and it offers a new and exciting way to experience the Overwatch world. While most of these people writing positive reviews are likely damage mains in Overwatch, there are the fair few tank and support mains that agree. They are saying that if players adjust their strategy, the mode can be just as rewarding for tank and support players as it is for damage ones. Since both sides of this argument make good points about the new mode, perhaps the game mode can be saved by implementing a few tweaks.
The biggest change that comes to mind, other than buffing tanks and possibly nerfing some specific damage heroes, is to buff support heroes as well as the tanks. This would help make up for the added pressure support heroes are feeling from DPS and offer more healing for their giant meat shields. If tanks require more attention from support heroes and there is more damage coming in, it makes sense to offer some buffs to the heroes that will be targeted by DPS first—the support.
There has also been talk of new variations beyond this 3-2-1 mode; perhaps three DPS is not the answer to role queue wait times. Some have expressed interest in a 1-2-3 or even a 2-2-3, but 7 may be an odd number to see on a team in Overwatch. For now, all that can be done is to wait and see what the Overwatch team does with the information they got from this experimental card.
It would also be interesting to see if any of these modes every made it to the Overwatch League. All that is confirmed at this moment is that the experimental card will be back, and all players should participate in the experimental card as it offers an opportunity for the game to grow and evolve. Without the experimental card, the game would not see any dramatic change and new and exciting ways to play will not be a part of Overwatch. So when given the opportunity get out there and play some experimental modes and participate in the Overwatch forum, it helps the game stay interesting.
Overwatch is out now and available on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.