Overwatch 2’s Hazard Marks a Major First for the Game

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As a gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must say, the introduction of Hazard to Overwatch 2 has been a game-changer! The Scottish rebel brings a fresh perspective to the tank roster, with his unique ability set and backstory that resonates deeply with players who enjoy a good rebellious character.

In Overwatch 2, Hazard is both a character with a rebellious past and an unconventional design. He’s associated with The Phreaks, a group that fights for those they believe have been overlooked by the system. Unlike other heroes in the game, Hazard doesn’t adhere to a single traditional role. He can switch between playing as a dive or bruiser tank according to his team’s strategy. Furthermore, one of his abilities appears to challenge the norms of Overwatch 2’s frontline roster as well.

On December 10, 2024, the tank Hazard, hailing from Scotland, was formally added to the official roster of the game. He safeguards his team by employing his Spike Guard, which not only shields but also launches spikes at adversaries that home in on them. Hazard’s Jagged Wall is a deployable barrier that harms and propels nearby enemies. He can charge into the opposing backline with his Violent Leap and freeze opponents with his Downpour ultimate. Simultaneously, his passive ability sets him apart from other tanks.

Hazard is the First Tank to Get a Wall Climb

In the game “Overwatch 2”, certain characters, or frontline heroes, possess inherent movement abilities within their toolkits. For instance, Winston is equipped with a Jump Pack that provides both vertical and horizontal maneuverability. Doomfist, on the other hand, utilizes his Uppercut for height and charges ahead with an attack that propels him forward. Meanwhile, Wrecking Ball employs his grappling hook to propel himself across the map while maintaining momentum as he rolls around it. Hazard shares this vertical mobility with Winston through his Violent Leap skill. However, what sets Hazard apart from other tanks is an additional movement ability called Vault.

As I navigate through the virtual world, Hazard’s Vault grants me the power to climb walls momentarily and grasp onto ledges, adding a touch of vertical freedom to my gameplay. I’m proud to be the first tank character in Overwatch to possess this unique skill set.

With the Vault Passive ability, he can briefly scale walls (for 0.2 seconds) but can’t reactivate it unless Hazard is on a surface that’s walkable. Moreover, the walls must stand at least 1.25 meters in height to be climbable using the Vault.

This ability appears straightforward yet offers multiple attacking and defending possibilities for Hazard, such as:

  • Setting Up for Dives: The player can use Vault in their rollout to sneak onto the high ground and get the drop on enemies for dive attempts.
  • Chasing Enemies: Hazard’s Vault and Violent Leap allow him to keep up with opponents like Genji, who uses his Cyber-Agility to scale walls and his Swift Strike to dash away when escaping. He can also use this skill to cut off enemies on the ground.
  • Escaping Opponents: One can also use Vault defensively. If a Hazard finds that their back is against the wall while being chased by enemies, they can scale it to get out of their sticky situation. However, they need to ensure that the walls have ledges that Hazard can get to before Vault’s duration ends.

Hazard’s Vault Also Breaks an Overwatch Lore Tradition

In Overwatch 2, wall-climbing privileges appear to be selective, initially only granted to the Shimada siblings, Genji and Hanzo. Interestingly, another character within their group, Kiriko, also has this skill. Given that they are ninjas, it makes sense for them to scale walls and perch on ledges to approach targets stealthily. However, it seems like this skill is no longer exclusive solely to the Shimadas.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled to share that Hazard is the initial character outside the Shimada Clan to boast a wall-climbing ability in the game. His persona and build deviate from the typical ninja stereotype, but his Vault skill complements his design beautifully. With his gameplay revolving around overpowering opponents with his aggression and speed, the capacity to bypass obstacles is a fitting addition. It’s refreshing to see him as the only tank who can climb walls for now, as it sets him apart in his role, adding a unique edge that makes him truly remarkable.

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2024-12-22 02:04