A new developer blog fromOverwatch 2just hinted at some big changes that could be coming to how ultimate abilities work in the future. This potential change could be made as a part of an attempt to reduce the number of one-sided matches inOverwatch 2.Aaron Keller, game director ofOverwatch 2, recently put out a blog discussing Season 5. He talked about the differences in howOverwatch 2approached the Battle Passthis time and teased more about the four special game modes that will appear in Season 5.RELATED:Overwatch 2 Has Delayed Hero Mastery ModeHowever, one of the most interesting parts of this developer blog is the final paragraph. Keller discusses stomps–one-sided matches where a team dominates the other. According to the post,Overwatch 2has been discussing how to reduce the number of stomps in the game. While it initially might seem like an issue withOverwatch 2’s matchmaking system, Keller is convinced other factors, such as ultimate gain, might be more to blame. To that end, he believes the solution may lie in “looking at our core mechanics and game modes and making adjustments here.”
Since the originalOverwatch, ultimates have always been game-changers. A well-placed ultimate ability can turn the tide of not only a battle butan entireOverwatch 2match. Heroes generally gain ultimates by healing, along with dealing and taking damage. Considering a team who wins a battle usually ends up doing more of these things, they get their ultimates more often, creating what Keller calls a “snowball effect.” That, combined with the winners usually choosing where and when the next fight happens, can make their victory inevitable.
There is currently no information as to what these specific changes might be as of right now. It is possibleOverwatch 2will make it so players generate more ultimates from taking damage or dying so the losing side has a better chance to respawn, or perhaps it will slow down ultimate generation for the winning side or after a certain number of Ultimate uses. Players can only speculate untilOverwatch 2releases more information on this topic.
Needless to say,Overwatch 2players are intrigued by this potential change. Ultimates are a core part of a hero’s kit, and the rate by which they are generated has been relatively constant throughoutOverwatch’slifespan. Changing this formula couldshake up theOverwatch 2metain some unexpected ways. Whether they are worried or excited about this potential change, it definitely seems likeOverwatch 2is taking the issue of stomps seriously, so players can expect to hear more about this topic soon.
Overwatch 2is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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