Overwatch 2 Tanks Getting Some Much-Needed Attention

by John Nowacky
in News, PC, Release
on 29 June 2024

Blizzard has acknowledged the concerns of the Overwatch 2 community regarding the tanks in the game. In a recent update on the Overwatch 2 site, the developer confirms that tanks have been struggling since the end of season eight and that they need some adjustments to feel more effective.

According to the update, tanks do not feel as “tanky” as they should be, requiring the support heroes to focus solely on them to keep them alive. This limited gameplay for both tanks and supports has been a major issue raised by players.

Blizzard revealed that they have introduced a new metric called “tankiness” to monitor the performance of tanks. This metric compares the number of deaths a tank hero experiences to the expected number of deaths. Through this metric, Blizzard aims to align player experience with their data.

The decline in tank effectiveness can be attributed to various changes introduced in recent seasons, such as passive health regeneration, knockback and headshot damage reduction. These changes have affected the ability of tanks to absorb damage, hindering their ability to fulfill their role.

To address these concerns, Blizzard plans to release a patch targeted at increasing the tankiness of many heroes. The changes will be implemented individually for each hero, building on their unique characteristics and playstyle. Reinhardt’s shield health is cited as a specific example of the changes that will be made.

The balance team at Blizzard considers this a priority and is aiming for the patch to be introduced in either mid-Season 11 or Season 12. More details regarding the specific changes and timing will be announced soon.

With these adjustments, tanks will be able to confidently lead the frontlines without constantly relying on support heroes to keep them alive. Players can find the full update on the official Overwatch 2 site to learn more about Blizzard’s plans.

In the meantime, players can enhance their gameplay by referring to our comprehensive guide on Overwatch 2 characters and our detailed Overwatch 2 tier list, which will provide valuable insights for their next matches.

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Additional relevant facts about Overwatch 2 tanks:

1. Tanks are an essential role in Overwatch’s team-based gameplay, responsible for creating space, protecting teammates, and initiating fights.

2. The tank heroes in Overwatch 2 include popular characters like Reinhardt, Winston, and D.Va, each with unique abilities and playstyles.

3. The adjustments to tank heroes in Overwatch 2 aim to improve their survivability and make them feel more impactful.

4. Tankiness, the new metric introduced by Blizzard, will help track the performance of tanks and ensure that they can fulfill their role effectively.

5. The changes made to tanks in recent seasons have affected their ability to absorb damage and stay alive on the frontlines.

6. The upcoming patch will address these concerns by individually adjusting the tankiness of each hero, taking into account their distinct characteristics.

7. Reinhardt’s shield health is highlighted as one specific change that will be made to improve tankiness.

8. The balance team at Blizzard considers addressing tank issues a priority, and the patch is expected to be introduced in either mid-Season 11 or Season 12.

Key Questions and Answers:

Q: What has been the main issue raised by the Overwatch 2 community regarding tanks?
A: The main issue is that tanks do not feel as “tanky” as they should be, requiring excessive support from healers to stay alive.

Q: How does Blizzard plan to address the tank issue in Overwatch 2?
A: Blizzard plans to release a patch that will increase the tankiness of many heroes, making them more capable of leading the frontlines confidently.

Q: Which specific hero’s changes are highlighted as an example in the upcoming patch?
A: Reinhardt’s shield health will be adjusted in the upcoming patch to improve his tankiness.

Key Challenges and Controversies:

1. Balancing tank heroes to ensure they are neither too overpowered nor too weak can be a challenge, as it affects the overall gameplay experience.

2. The adjustments made to tank heroes may have unintended consequences and impact the balance of the game, requiring ongoing monitoring and tweaking.

Advantages:
– Improved tankiness will allow tanks to fulfill their role more effectively.
– Tanks will be able to create space and protect teammates without constantly relying on support heroes.

Disadvantages:
– Balancing tank heroes may inadvertently affect the balance of the game overall.
– Adjustments to tanks may require players to adapt their strategies and playstyles.