Overwatch: Classic Puts One Notorious Hero Back in the Hot Seat, But Not for Long

Overwatch 2 has introduced several exciting new features recently, such as a Mythic skin for Widowmaker, quality-of-life updates to maps like Dorado and Numbani, and teasers for the upcoming tank hero. Additionally, the Overwatch Classic event, which launched on November 12 and will run for three weeks, has generated significant buzz through its 6v6 format and nostalgic appeal. Players diving into the unranked mode will find the 21 original characters from the first version of Overwatch, 12 classic maps, and the return of Assault, also known as 2CP.

Both the original Overwatch and Overwatch 2 have seen significant changes to the hero roster and their abilities over the years, making Patch 1.0 feel like a distant memory. Notable changes include Symmetra as a Support hero, Torbjorn handing out armor packs, and Mei gaining the ability to fully freeze teammates with her Endothermic Blaster. However, Hanzo is under particular scrutiny for his Scatter Arrow, which often relies on RNG.

Overwatch Classic Brings Back the Fun of 2016, But There’s a Catch

Hanzo’s Infamous Scatter Arrow Returns in Overwatch Classic

Overwatch Classic will run until December 2, bringing the return of Scatter Arrow. To use it, players simply fire an arrow as usual after activating the ability, causing the arrow to split into multiple ricochet arrows upon impact. As a fun gimmick, this ability can be a fun way to secure eliminations or break through tough choke points. However, because the benefit comes from a volley of projectiles that can bounce off surfaces, it can be imprecise in terms of a player’s aim. This has both upsides and downsides. While aiming for an enemy’s head might not always yield the desired result, there’s also the chance of getting an “accidental” pick.

When Hanzo was reworked in May 2018 for patch 1.23, he was given Storm Arrow as a replacement for Scatter Arrow and a new movement ability, Lunge. These changes were likely aimed at addressing player dissatisfaction with the RNG-based nature of Scatter Arrow, while better aligning with Hanzo’s skilled marksman persona. The extra movement provided by Lunge and the ability to double jump is something veteran Hanzo players may greatly feel the absence of in Overwatch Classic. Additionally, Storm Arrow initially allowed Hanzo to rapidly fire up to six arrows with reduced damage, but by 2024, the total arrow count was reduced to five.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Scatter Arrow has appeared in Overwatch 2. It was first reintroduced in the Love of Geometry Arcade mode, which took place during Season 3’s Valentine’s Day festivities. In this limited-time mode, two teams of Hanzo players competed to reach 50 eliminations before the other, with Scatter Arrow playing a role in the total kill count.

Overall, the return of Scatter Arrow in this limited-time mode doesn’t carry much weight, since the mode isn’t part of Competitive. However, some players have already taken to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to reminisce about why they used to dislike the randomness caused by the ricochet of the projectiles. Many have called Scatter Arrow game-breaking and skillless due to its reliance on RNG.

Furthermore, Scatter Arrow may not be part of the game mode for long since different variations of Hanzo’s kit could appear during future events. Blizzard stated in the Season 13 midseason update that “Single Hero Limits will be applied for the rest of the Overwatch Classic event, from November 15 – December 2,” which indicates that other changes in forthcoming versions of Overwatch Classic could be on the way. Team 4 also mentioned in a previous post that the mode would feature heroes and balance from key moments in the game’s history, including the 2017 Moth Meta. Regardless of whether Scatter Arrow stays until the end of the event, it will only be present for a maximum of three weeks, so players should make the most of the wacky moments it brings.

Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.

Franchise

Overwatch

Released

October 4, 2022

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

Engine

Proprietary Engine

ESRB

T

How Long To Beat

35 hours

Steam Deck Compatibility

n/a

X|S Optimized

Yes

File Size Xbox Series

59 GB (September 2024)

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

Cross Save

yes

Cross-Platform Play

PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S

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