The Evolution of Tank Roles in Overwatch 2

The State of Tanks in Overwatch 2

In the ever-evolving world of Overwatch 2, the role of tanks has undergone significant changes, especially with recent updates. This discussion explores the current effectiveness, player sentiments, and possible future adjustments for each tank hero.

General Observations

The recent armor changes have been a double-edged sword. While they've made tanks less susceptible to damage from rapid-fire characters like Tracer, they're now more vulnerable to high-damage hits. This shift has altered tank gameplay, pushing players towards a more cautious engagement strategy.

Another notable change is the passive healing increase for tanks. This adjustment allows tanks to recover more health over time, promoting a slightly more independent playstyle. However, this doesn't drastically change their reliance on team support.

Hero-Specific Insights

• D.Va: Once a versatile tank, D.Va now struggles with front-line presence. Suggestions for her improvement include enhancing her ability to handle multiple roles simultaneously or increasing her damage output to solidify her presence in battles.

• Orisa: Known for her protective capabilities, Orisa's current toolkit makes her less viable compared to other tanks who offer more aggressive engagement options. She remains situational, best used when her fortification and crowd control can be fully utilized without making her feel overpowered.

• Reinhardt: The quintessential front-line tank continues to be a staple due to his balance of offense and defense. However, his impact feels diminished compared to Overwatch 1 due to the game's shift towards faster-paced engagements.

• Roadhog: A controversial figure in the tank lineup due to his self-sustaining abilities and powerful hook. While effective in solo engagements, his playstyle can feel less cooperative and more focused on individual skirmishes rather than team-based strategies.

• Sigma: Sigma remains well-balanced with abilities that allow for both offensive actions and defensive stances. His kinetic grasp and accretion provide him with tools that are useful in various combat scenarios without making him feel overbearing.

• Winston: Benefiting greatly from armor changes, Winston continues to excel in disrupting backlines and engaging weaker targets. His mobility and protective barrier make him ideal for coordinated dives.

• Wrecking Ball: Highly mobile but easily countered by coordinated teams. Wrecking Ball excels in creating chaos but requires precise skill to be effective without being overly disruptive to gameplay flow.

• Zarya: Her energy accumulation through barriers allows skilled players to deal significant damage. However, she suffers from being easily countered by avoiding energy charge from her barriers or by exploiting her relatively lower mobility.

Proposed Changes

For future updates, considering adjustments that enhance each tank's unique abilities while ensuring they can effectively contribute to their teams without feeling overpowering would be beneficial. For instance:

1. Introducing minor buffs or reworks that enhance underperforming tanks' abilities to engage more effectively without altering their core gameplay drastically.
2. Continuously monitoring the impact of armor changes and adjusting them based on community feedback and gameplay data could help maintain balance across all ranks.
3. Explorations of new abilities or passive skills that could introduce fresh strategies without increasing complexity excessively might invigorate the tank role further.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckPGk9pd6n4