Blizzard has revealed information regarding its new hero for Overwatch Season 18, Wuyang. The Support will be available to play during a limited test, prior to his full release
Overwatch has a history of drip-feeding information about its heroes, and Wuyang is no different. However the announcement includes some intriguing details about his playstyle and lore.
“Before he makes waves in Season 18, Wuyang is stepping in for a limited-time Hero Trial very soon,” the announcement reads. Later giving players that precious date to look out for, stating, “Dive in and master the flow early in Wuyang’s Hero Trial, available from August 14–18!”
Playstyle and lore
It seems, as is often the case, Overwatch 2’s devs are making sure that their new character’s design and his moveset are intertwined. Seemingly the hero’s abilities revolve around control over water, one of the elements deeply associated with the traditional Chinese school of Wuxing, which focuses on the cycles of nature from the miniscule to the grand.
“This rebellious Support Hero from Wuxing University’s Water College is all about rhythm, disruption, and flow-based control.”
Despite being labelled a support, it seems Wuyang will feature damage potential of his own, due to the additional labelling of the hero as a “hybrid damage utility.”
“His fluid healing, hybrid damage utility, and graceful mobility make for Support done differently. Expect a learning curve with some serious splash potential.”
The statement may make players think Wuyang is in line with supports like Ana, Zendaya, or Moira who have dominated games themselves due to their ability to take on other heroes, however the assertion that Wuyang is “Support done differently” may mean Wuyang isn’t quite like heroes we have seen before.
Flashpoint maps New Junk City and Suravasa get reworks
Blizzard also drew focus to the reworks of Flashpoint maps New Junk City and Suravasa as part of the midseason surge blogpost.
The maps have been “rebuilt for faster reads, cleaner fights, and fewer moments where you’re asking, ‘Wait, where am I?’”
Reacting to community feedback that the maps were hard to intuitively understand, were too busy, and had too many chokepoints that led to disadvantaged fights, Blizzard updated both the maps to improve visual clarity and identity, and balance common teamfight areas.
With the maps targeting the quicker, less try-hard mode, Overwatch’s updates will be aimed at reducing the friction of playing the mode for players used to Overwatch 2’s traditional game modes.
Let us know if you think the redesigns have worked!
Darragh Harbinson is an esports writer specialising in Counter-Strike. He has written for Esports News UK, Esports Insider, UKCSGO, Dexerto, and Rush B Media.
