How Overwatch 2’s Juno Could Shake Up The Meta

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How Overwatch 2's Juno Could Shake Up The Meta

Highlights

  • Season 12 of Overwatch 2 introduces the Clash game mode, a new hero Juno, and an Egyptian-themed Battle Pass, shaking up the meta.
  • Juno’s kit includes a movement speed buff for allies with her Hyper Ring ability, encouraging strategic team compositions and gameplay.
  • The arrival of Juno will likely disrupt the current meta, inspiring players to experiment with her unique abilities in both Quick Play and Competitive.

As a seasoned Overwatch 2 player with countless hours under my belt, I can’t help but feel a thrill of anticipation as we approach Season 12, aptly named New Frontiers. The introduction of Juno, our latest support hero, is not just another update in the game; it’s a breath of fresh air that promises to shake up the meta and bring a unique twist to team compositions.

Season 12 of Overwatch 2, titled New Frontiers, is all set to roll out with an exciting new game mode called Clash, as well as an Egyptian-themed Battle Pass. This season also boasts a collaboration between Overwatch 2 and World of Warcraft, introducing the mythic Midnight Sun weapon skin for Ana. In addition, players will experience a rank reset, along with a plethora of fresh content and balance modifications. But what truly sets this season apart is the long-awaited arrival of our 41st hero, Juno.

In her debut as a fresh mobile support character in Overwatch 2 on August 20, Juno is expected to shake up the current gameplay dynamics, largely due to her unique skill set and the difficulties that come with countering her. Additionally, the arrival of new characters tends to spark enthusiasm among players, encouraging them to try out these heroes, even if they might not be the most effective choices initially.

Overwatch 2’s Latest Support Hero Poised to Bring Fresh Utility To The Roster

Overwatch 2’s Newest Support Hero Might Require Greater Strategic Planning

Despite Game Director Aaron Keller’s blog post from August 14th hinting at health reductions for several mobile damage and support heroes, the arrival of Juno seems to ensure that the gameplay will remain swift. Debuting at the start of Season 12 in Quick Play and Arcade, as well as Competitive play on the first day, Juno, much like Venture, is expected to increase her popularity due to players eagerly learning her abilities. However, the decision to introduce new characters directly into Ranked play instead of a two-week wait has sparked debate.

In Season 11’s Hero Trial, Juno’s adaptability, boosted by her Martian Overboots, Glide Boost, and Hyper Ring, caught many eyes. This was especially true for players who mastered managing her cooldown timers. Although her Martian Overboots and Glide Boost contribute to Juno’s durability, her Hyper Ring offers a 50% speed boost to all allies, serving as a potential game-changer in certain team configurations. With a 16-second recharge time, the Hyper Ring becomes active immediately upon activation, making its strategic use crucial.

Similar to Lucio’s speed advantage, this skill is incredibly useful for swiftly outpacing an opponent team or making a beeline for objectives. However, unlike Lucio’s Speed Boost that continues until switching to Healing Boost, Juno’s Hyper Ring only increases movement speed for 3 seconds at a time. This shorter span means players must carefully plan when and how to deploy the ability.

“Juno’s Hyper Ring currently provides a movement speed increase of 3 seconds.”

Juno’s Kit Encourages a Fast-Paced Team Composition

How Overwatch 2's Juno Could Shake Up The Meta

Despite the fact that Overwatch 2 has a top speed limit, as confirmed by Lead Balance Designer Joshua Noh in 2022, the exact figure remains undisclosed. Consequently, it may not be practical to combine numerous speed abilities with Juno’s Hyper Ring excessively. However, skills like Lucio’s Speed Boost or Junker Queen’s Commanding Shout might still yield significant advantages. For your information, Blizzard’s team-based shooter offers a variety of movement choices, featuring numerous speed abilities such as:

  • Junker Queen: Commanding Shout
  • Juno: Hyper Ring
  • Lucio: Speed Boost
  • Kiriko: Kitsune Rush

Regardless of the speed cap, players can strategically rotate their abilities to support their team. This approach was already common in Competitive and professional play before Juno’s arrival. For example, Junker Queen’s Commanding Shout is commonly used before or after Lucio’s Speed Amp, while damage players might deploy Symmetra’s two-way Teleporter to speed up their team’s exit from spawn before switching to Tracer or another hero with inherent movement abilities like Soldier: 76. Given this, Juno’s Hyper Ring is likely to be especially beneficial for Brawl or Rush compositions and on maps like Clash, Control, Flashpoint, and Push.

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2024-08-17 13:36