The developers of Overwatch 2 have disclosed that they have been actively discussing and testing the implementation of hero bans in the game. Here is a comprehensive overview of what we currently know about this system and whether it will be fully integrated into the game.
In recent weeks, the developers of Overwatch 2 have been transparent about their internal discussions regarding potential experiments and a possible return to 6v6 gameplay.
Moreover, they disclosed their consideration of implementing features like map voting, in-game tournaments, and hero bans, which have been a topic of conversation among dedicated Overwatch players.
Will hero bans be implemented in the game? This is what we currently know.
Possible Implementation of Hero Bans in Overwatch 2
The possibility of hero bans in Overwatch 2 has been discussed, although there has been no official announcement regarding their implementation.
The developers of Overwatch 2 have been discussing the implementation of a hero ban system for a while now. Lead hero designer Alec Dawson recently stated that this is the first time it has been given serious consideration.
We could see some big changes to #Overwatch2 in future 👀Alec Dawson confirmed that the team is now discussing Hero Bans, Map Voting, and Tournaments more seriously and that they eventually want to build towards these features. pic.twitter.com/p0buHTtEmv
— Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) August 2, 2024
During an interview with Overwatch 2 streamers Flats and SVB, Dawson mentioned that they were considering ways to enhance the game’s strategic depth, with the potential addition of hero bans being one of the options under discussion.
Despite not mentioning the specifics of the ban system, Dawson acknowledged that Overwatch has previously implemented two different systems – a ban pool and a per-map system.
Hero Bans in Overwatch 2
Indeed, competitive Overwatch 2 has technically implemented hero bans.
The Esports World Cup made history by introducing the hero ban system in Overwatch 2. Prior to the start of each map, both teams were given the opportunity to ban one hero, resulting in two heroes being unavailable for the duration of the map.
The Esports World Cup introduced the first-ever hero ban system in Overwatch 2
The system received great acclaim from the community for its ability to promote diverse team compositions and enhance strategic depth. However, it is important to note that these results were observed primarily in professional play and may vary in the context of an average ranked game.
In the earlier version of Overwatch, the Overwatch League introduced a hero ban pool, which temporarily prohibited certain heroes from being used in professional matches. However, this system was eventually discontinued when transitioning to Overwatch 2, as it was not deemed a successful experiment.
When will hero bans be implemented in Overwatch 2?
The introduction of hero bans to Overwatch 2 is uncertain and it is unclear when or if they will be implemented.
At the moment, it seems that the developers are simply considering it as a means to add excitement to the game. Nevertheless, given that Quick Play: Hacked has been featured every other season, it wouldn’t be unexpected to see it as a temporary experiment in the future.
Leave a Reply