Season 13 of Overwatch 2 is set to introduce a revolutionary hero swap mechanism, though experts are voicing concerns that it may negatively impact the tank role.
Counter-swapping has become a significant dilemma within Overwatch 2, with players, particularly those in tank positions, frequently changing their heroes to outmaneuver rivals.
In response to this challenge, the developers announced a new update for Season 13, which will conceal a player’s newly chosen hero from the scoreboard for a duration of fifteen seconds after they switch characters.
The developers outlined, “This modification introduces greater tension regarding counterswapping, especially in extreme scenarios where players from opposing teams are in their spawn area with the scoreboard visible, rapidly altering their characters in reaction to each other’s selections.”
Nevertheless, high-ranking players and analysts appear to be critical of this update, fearing it might disrupt the game’s flow or further undermine the already critical tank role.
Top 500 tank main and streamer Flats strongly disagreed with the update, labeling it an “insane” move that would be futile in addressing hero swaps.
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“Instead of resolving the counterswap dilemma, they simply said ‘Forget it, you won’t see what they’re switching to, so you can’t counterswap in return.’ This is astonishing. It’s the most ridiculous modification I’ve encountered in some time. It’s going to turn into a psychological game,” he asserted.
Flats mentioned that tank players might end up engaged in a tense game of bluff when deciding who to switch to. This wasn’t the only concern from the gaming community regarding this update.
Former pro player Reinforce commented, “It’s going to feel quite odd when the scoreboard information clashes with a new hero appearing in front of you. I hope this doesn’t diminish the quality of team fights too much since the scoreboard won’t prepare players as needed.”
This is such a unique change in S13, it’s going to feel so weird when the information provided to you via scoreboard doesn’t align with a new hero showing up in front of you.Hopefully this doesn’t reduce team fight quality too much with scoreboard not preparing you accordingly pic.twitter.com/6U9IctbVrd
— Jonathan Snowden (@Reinforce) October 14, 2024
Overwatch 2 pro player Durpee also weighed in, observing that this update could benefit players who switch quickly to Widowmaker: “You won’t know an enemy has gone Widowmaker until one of your teammates gets headshot.”
Others believe that this change merely supports counterswapping without genuinely remedying the core issue.
“It’s hilariously ironic that they essentially buffed counterswapping, all while claiming it’s a nerf,” remarked another player said.
doesn’t this just make counterswapping better as well LOL
— beepcheap (@beepcheap) October 14, 2024
“Doesn’t this just enhance counterswapping too?” echoed another user.
As we anticipate the rollout of this new gameplay feature in Overwatch 2 with the arrival of Season 13, it remains to be seen how it will affect the game and whether players’ concerns are justified. Should this change yield more negative than positive outcomes, we can likely expect adjustments in forthcoming updates.
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