Overwatch 2’s Hazard Looks to Be a Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of None

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As a seasoned gamer with countless hours spent on the battlefield of Overwatch, I’ve seen heroes come and go, each with their unique set of skills that either revolutionized or redefined their roles. With the arrival of Overwatch 2, we’ve been introduced to a plethora of fresh faces, among which is the versatile tank hero, Hazard.

In Overwatch 2, characters are assigned specific roles, but occasionally, heroes like Zenyatta and Ramattra blur the lines of their respective niches. For instance, Zenyatta, a support character, can deal substantial damage using his discord orb and powerful primary and alternative fire, in addition to healing teammates. Conversely, the tank Ramattra is proficient at shielding and poking in its base form, but transforms into a formidable bruiser when in Nemesis form. The new frontline character Hazard from Overwatch 2 has abilities that cater to multiple niches within the tank role, making him a versatile character, though this versatility comes with certain trade-offs.

For those not acquainted with Hazard’s gear in Overwatch 2, the game categorizes him as both a hybrid bruiser and a dive tank due to his adaptable skillset. This versatility allows him to be formidable on the front line while also charging towards the enemy backline. His capabilities encompass:

  • Primary Fire – Bonespur: This shotgun projectile weapon deals up to 67.5 damage per shot, depending on the distance.
  • Alternate Fire – Spike Guard: Hazard channels a front-facing barrier that significantly reduces the damage he takes while firing homing spikes at enemies and refilling his ammo.
  • Left Shift – Violent Leap: This ability launches Hazard forward, allowing him to slash enemies on contact and deal big damage.
  • Space – Vault: Hazard can grab ledges and climb walls, like the Hamadas and Kiriko, for up to 0.2 seconds.
  • E – Jagged Wall: Hazard fires a projectile that transforms into a spiked wall that blocks shots and damages nearby enemies.
  • Q (Ultimate) – Downpour: Hazard rains down spikes in front of him, damaging and rooting enemies they hit.

The Pros and Cons of Hazard’s Diverse Tank Kit

In the game Overwatch 2, versatility is beneficial when it comes to a tank hero, but it does come with some drawbacks. Let me outline the potential advantages and disadvantages of Hazard’s multifaceted abilities:

The Advantages of Hazard Being a Jack-of-All-Trades

What’s great about Hazard is that he can comfortably fit into two different team comps. If his teammates run dive heroes like Tracer and Zenyatta, the player can lead the charge into the enemy backline with his Violent Leap and vault abilities. Those looking to play the long game by brawling on the point, like Sojourn and Moira can also benefit from having Hazard on their team. He can keep enemies at bay with his Jagged Wall and Spike Guard. Plus, he can minimize reloading and making himself vulnerable by cycling his primary fire and Spike Guard efficiently. His wall can also be used defensively or offensively, depending on his team’s current goals.

The Pitfalls of Hazard Potentially Being a Master of None

Although Hazard excels in many areas, his versatility could be a potential weakness. The creators of Overwatch 2 need to adjust Hazard’s abilities so he can hold his own against other brawlers and dive tanks, without becoming overpowered. This might lead to a hero who often finds himself overshadowed by characters who have specialized in the roles that Hazard covers. For instance, while he effortlessly jumps into the enemy backline, his leap doesn’t cover as much distance as the mobility skills of Winston or Doomfist. He also lacks the ability to escape from a dive as effectively as Wrecking Ball can. In terms of objective brawling, his shotgun isn’t as effective against tanks compared to Orisa’s Fusion Driver or Reinhardt’s hammer, and it wears down more quickly.

In the present competitive setup of Overwatch 2, there’s only room for one tank in a team, making it strategic for players to select characters that excel in a specific role, such as Doomfist for dive strategies or Reinhardt for bruiser compositions, rather than versatile options like Hazard. However, with the upcoming 6v6 test for Overwatch 2, a new hero could be an excellent choice as a flexible supporting tank that can fortify the line while others engage the enemy, or vice versa. What’s more, this character is entertaining to play, so players who enjoy fast-paced and action-packed tank gameplay might find joy in selecting Hazard.

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2024-12-05 00:03