Overwatch 2 Might Add Hero Banning in the Future

Highlights

• Overwatch 2 is considering introducing bans and limiting hero swaps to address the trend of constant counter-picking in matches. However, this is only in early testing.
• The game has already taken steps to disincentivize counter-picking by reducing the maximum Ultimate charge retained while swapping heroes.
• Players are divided on whether they want these changes, with some wanting more limitations and others believing counter-picking is an integral part of the Overwatch 2 experience.

Overwatch 2 is playing around with some drastic ideas to overhaul counter-picks and hero swapping, including the idea of introducing bans to the game. While there is no guarantee Overwatch 2 is going to make these changes, the developers are at least considering the options.

Recently, Twitch streamers and Overwatch 2 fans Emongg and Flats talked to game producer Kenny Hudson and lead hero designer Alec Dawson about the state of the first-person shooter. They discussed many topics, from Mauga and the impact of recent buffs and nerfs, to potential reworks for Overwatch 2 heroes like Wrecking Ball and Cassidy.

During the same interview, Dawson discussed the concept of swapping heroes. In many Overwatch 2 matches–especially at the competitive level–players are driven to constantly counter-pick one another throughout each match. Overwatch 2 recognizes some players that find this a frustrating trend, and is in the very early stages of looking at ways to solve this problem. In a clip from the Twitch stream, Dawson confirmed Overwatch 2 was planning on internally testing ideas like limiting the number of swaps a player or team could do, or introducing a hero ban system into the game.

It is clear Overwatch 2 is already taking steps to disincentivize constant counter-picking. In the balance patch for Overwatch 2 Season 8, it reduced the maximum Ultimate charge retained while swapping heroes from 25% to 15%, making counter-picking a tougher call to make. The potential for limited hero swaps or bans could add even more counterplay to the game, and make hero selection even more important.

Of course, players are divided on whether they would like this particular change. Bans are a staple in competitive, team-based hero games like League of Legends, and players have wanted a similar system in Overwatch 2 for a while. On the other hand, some fans think the ability to counter-pick heroes is integral to the Overwatch 2 experience, and don’t think even more limitations should be added.

It is important to note that none of these changes are being implemented just yet. The developers stressed that the ideas are in the earliest of testing phases, and they may never make it to the live game. If they do, it is equally possible they could be limited to Competitive, and there is no way of knowing what the systems would entail until they are revealed. Either way, with an overhaul coming to Competitive Overwatch 2, 2023 is going to be a big year for the hero shooter.