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[Overwatch 2] OWCS Stage 1 Qualifiers in March
Baidol
I will hold him offEscape while you canRegistered User regular
I will hold him offEscape while you canRegistered User regular
How it started.
How its going.
Looking to skip to the Overwatch 2 release discussion? Jump to page 41.
Overwatch 2 is the update/sequel to Overwatch. Like Overwatch, Overwatch 2 is a hero shooter where each player controls a character with unique abilities as part of a team in order to complete objectives. Unlike some first-player shooters where it is all about frags, Overwatch 2’s gameplay is heavily focused on using teamplay to do things like control a point or push a cart. The release plan for Overwatch 2, beyond gameplay changes, was to transition away from Overwatch’s single-purchase model to a free-to-play model bolstered by a brand new PvE mode. The first goal was met, the second was not, so Overwatch 2 in many ways looks more like an update rather than a full sequel. There is no announced release date for the PvE mode. Overwatch 2's PVP mode releases Tuesday, October 4, 2022.
To play Overwatch 2, download the battle.net desktop client, create an account, and then download the game. In order to play Overwatch 2, it is required to add a phone number to your Battle.net account. An anti-cheat/smurf/etc. measure, a phone number can be associated with only one account and pre-paid phone numbers cannot be used. That last restriction is concerning given how pre-paid phones are commonplace in many locations in the world and hopefully a resolution to that is found. If you previously played Overwatch on PC and console, you will need to merge those accounts before launching Overwatch 2.
New accounts will need to participate in the “First-Time User Experience”. New accounts will be restricted to a limited number of heroes and game modes that will unlock piecewise as games are played. Official estimates are around 100 matches to fully unlock everything, but we’ll see how reality is. New accounts will be able to play with friends, and if those friends have access to more heroes/game modes, the new account will also have full access.
FAQ
Q: I haven’t played since Overwatch’s launch. What’s changed in terms of gameplay?
A: Overwatch’s gameplay evolution can be divided into three main periods. At the start, there was no limit on the number of people who could play a character on a team, so you could have 6 Hanjos or, if you were playing meta, 3 Winstons and 3 Lucios. This eventually gave way to character restrictions where anyone could play any hero but only one copy of the hero was allowed on each team. Finally, role lock was introduced where every team needed two tanks, two damage, and two support characters so you had to lock your role in when queuing for a match. Overwatch 2 brings the biggest gameplay change since role lock. Teams were composed of six players in Overwatch, but in Overwatch 2 team size is reduced to five with each team having only a single tank. Damage characters play a larger role and tank characters are bulkier to compensate.
Q: Are there new Heroes?
A: There are three new heroes in Overwatch 2, the first released since Echo back in April 2020.
Sojourn - Damage
A mid-range fighter using rapid projectiles. Successful hits charge her railgun and the energy can be released in a single sniper-like burst. She also gets to powerslide.
Junker Queen - Tank
A brawling melee tank that excels in getting up close and personal. Unique among the tanks as she can buff her allies and, with her ultimate, debuff her enemies.
Kiriko - Support
The newest of the set, Kirko will first be playable at the launch of Overwatch 2. A utility/healer hybrid in the vein of Zenyatta, Kiriko provides some healing in addition to a varied kit including a 3x headshot damage multiplier, higher even than Widowmaker’s fully-charged scoped headshot modifier. Rumored to be a hard character to play due to her varied abilities and precision aim requirements.
In addition to these completely new heroes, several previously existing heroes have had reworks. For example, Doomfist is now a tank instead of a damage character.
Q: What about game modes?
A: Assault, also known as 2CP, is gone. Maps like Hanamura and Anubis are fully removed from the game. In their place is a new game mode, Push. In Push, each team has a barrier that an NPC robot pushes in opposite directions. When a team controls the robot, it pushes their barrier, and when the other team kills them and takes the robot, the robot runs to the other barrier to push it. First to cap, or, much more likely, farthest to push, wins.
Q: What other game play changes are there?
A: I’m sure I’ll miss a bunch of things here. One moderate change is the removal of most crowd-control (CC) abilities from the game. Original Overwatch launch mechanics such as Cassidy’s flashbang and Mei’s full freeze have been removed. All classes also now have passive abilities such as supports autohealing after a short time of not taking damage.
Q: How is ActiBlizzard monetizing the game?
A: Like many FtP games, Overwatch 2 will use a battle pass system. There is a free battle pass version that will allow players to earn access to cosmetics and new heroes without paying a monetary cost. How long it takes to complete a free battle pass is still TBD. There will also be a “premium” paid battle pass that will give players access to fancier cosmetics and immediate access to new heroes.
Q: Is there crossplay?
A: Yes! Players could play with anyone on any system in any mode except for Competitive in Overwatch and this will presumably remain true in Overwatch 2.
Q: What is Overwatch League (OWL)?
A: OWL is the official esport of Overwatch and, now, Overwatch 2. The original plan was to create a franchise system where teams were tied to physical locations and would physically travel to play matches. Covid lockdowns euthanized this plan quickly, but even if Covid didn’t happen, I’m not convinced the ambitious scheme would have worked anyway. Matches these days are played primarily online with the occasional in-person “homestand”. Playoffs will be in-person this year starting on October 30 in Anaheim, California.
Q: How do I find other PA people to play with?
A: With a new launch comes a new player list. If you would like to find others to play with, add yourself to the Google Sheet linked here: Player list. Note that this list is public.
Steam Overwatch: Baidol#1957
Baidol on
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Next Thursday is a 2 hour livestream with the dev team, hosted by Uber, focusing on PvP content for OW2! Should get some good looks at new stuff.
Damage: Tracer and Sombra
Tank: Reinhardt
Support: Zenyatta
Pick'ems still not open yet.
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
I didn't include the tourney results because those should be much closer by design, but even then it was a pretty even score split (the finals ended 4-2 but if it ended after 3 wins it would've been 3-1 Dallas).
We'll see if I recalibrate next Thursday.
Also they're doing a stream on the 20th about OWL2 stuff, apparently including previewing gameplay
which I hate. so stressful!
oooh interesting, i thought maybe you wouldn't be as high on the gladiators as me! I'm pretty bad at scorelines though...
That being said, I'm definitely a glads apologist and fully expect them to go at least 3-1, and will be betting on a 4-0 performance unless Atlanta/Boston really show me something this week.
I'm also prepared for them to break my heart and somehow go 1-3, but I could never bring myself to actually predict that.
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
Steam: MightyPotatoKing
the hero pool does help Boston a bit but it's basically a wash for Toronto so I still have to favor them, even if only slightly
Second, new clip show before OWL tomorrow.
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Steam: MightyPotatoKing
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OW2 is going to 5v5, only 1 tank slot, heroes obviously getting rebalanced because of it. Tanks stronger, healing probably getting reduced.
showing off the New York map, it's really pretty
The UI in general is much cleaner and minimal
ult charge rate seems reduced