Who Are Hazard & The Phreaks In Overwatch 2

As a seasoned storyteller who’s spent countless hours immersing myself in the rich tapestry of lore that is Overwatch, I must say, the Phreaks are a refreshing addition to the ever-evolving narrative. These rebels with a cause have certainly caught my attention, and I can’t help but be drawn into their world of riots, loud music, and daring heists.

One standout feature in the game “Overwatch 2” is its extensive collection of playable characters, each hailing from various global locations and showcasing unique skill sets and playstyles across three roles – Tank, Damage Per Second (DPS), and Support. This live-service game introduces new heroes periodically during different seasons, expanding the variety of hero choices and team strategies.

As Overwatch 2’s Season 14 draws near, players are eagerly waiting for the debut of the newest Tank hero, codenamed ‘Hazard’. In preparation for Season 14, some intriguing details about Hazard have been disclosed to fans, such as his background and the gang he associates with, known as ‘The Phreaks’. All essential information regarding characters like Hazard and The Phreaks can be found in the guide provided below, ahead of Overwatch 2’s Season 14.

Who Are Hazard & The Phreaks in Overwatch 2?

Who Are Hazard & The Phreaks In Overwatch 2

In Overwatch 2, Hazard is the most recent Tank hero added to the game. Players had a chance to explore his playstyle and equipment during his free trial weekend at the end of November before he officially launched at the start of Season 14. Before Hazard’s introduction, there was much anticipation about his character – primarily fueled by a sequence of vibrant, malfunctioning graffiti that popped up in spawn rooms across the Oasis map, bearing the tag ‘Phreaks’.

It’s intriguing to note that some fans have been revisiting the early concept art for Overwatch, as this change sparked their curiosity. This artwork showcases several heroes that underwent transformations to become the beloved characters we see today. For instance, Ironclad morphed into Torbjorn, Reaper stayed relatively unchanged, Iris was reimagined as Echo, Mercy’s original male design was abandoned and her name was combined with another character, Angelica. The initial concept for Genji, a bow-wielding cyborg ninja (known as Hanzo), was swapped out for one wielding a sword and shurikens. Later on, this character was split into two, resulting in the creation of his bow and arrow-wielding older brother.

Who Are Hazard & The Phreaks In Overwatch 2

Amongst all these ideas, there’s also a character known as ‘Phreak’, who sports a green mohawk and has a stooped appearance. Although Hazard was eventually transformed into something quite distinct from this original concept, it’s evident that certain elements from the origins of this hero have been incorporated when developing his character and background in the universe of Overwatch.

Currently, it’s been disclosed that Hazard (Findlay Doverty) is a captivating punk rocker with roots in Scotland, belonging to a defiant group called the Phreaks whom he views as extended family. His past includes enduring relentless bullying at an elite Scottish school during his childhood. Additionally, his upbringing was marked by years of financial hardship, scarcity of food, and emotional turmoil from the Omnic Crisis, ultimately leading to his mother fleeing their home.

After enduring years of hardship, Hazard advanced to university, enlisting in the military to cover his tuition costs. It was then that he felt the system acknowledged him and that he belonged there – until an Overwatch jet was hit and crashed, burying him under a mountain of debris. This incident resulted in him losing both arms and feet, but miraculously, he did not lose his life completely. However, Hazard felt far from fortunate, and was deeply dissatisfied with the care he received as well as the prosthetic options available to him. With this resentment fueling him, he successfully located a mechanic from the Phreaks who modernized his body with advanced cybernetics.

He found his family with these Phreaks, all bonding over their shared feelings of the ‘system’ treating them as nothing more than numbers. Hazard continued to stick with the Phreaks, rioting, playing loud music, and participating in various crimes alongside his new family. During a break-in at Oasis, Hazard trips an alarm when attempting to steal a sample from the vanadium ferro-fluid lab, injecting it into his cybernetics in order to fight his way out – thus giving himself the unique powers he now carries.

Every Phreak Revealed So Far

In the game Overwatch 2, the Phreaks are a freshly introduced group within the storyline, leaving some enigma about them. Nevertheless, to bolster Hazard’s background and introduction, several significant figures from this group have been unveiled – through both the animated short “Hazardous Tactics” and the comic “Tear It Down”.

Hazard

Hazard was the most recent addition to the Phreaks, making him their sixth member. He affectionately referred to them as his ‘newfound kin’.

Susannah

Susannah, or “Susie” for short, belongs to a group known as the Phreaks, and she works in tandem with Hazard. She demonstrates impressive technical prowess, possibly involving hacking, as she employs her computer abilities to neutralize security drones during their heist at Oasis.

Boomslang

Boomslang is part of the Phreaks group, spotted carrying a rifle during their burglary at Oasis. Her character appears to draw inspiration from the highly poisonous Boomslang snake, not only in her nickname but also in small details like the snake charms on the tips of her braided hair.

Jackdaw

I’m a fan of the character Jackdaw from the Tear It Down comic series. At the moment, not a lot has been revealed about him, but what we do know is that he’s portrayed as having an eccentric and lively demeanor.

Touch-Up

In the Tear It Down comic, we encounter a character named Touch-Up, who belongs to a group known as the Phreaks. This particular member was responsible for enhancing Hazard’s initial prosthetics using advanced cybernetic technology.

Revel

In the Tear It Down comic, Revel is depicted as a part of the Phreaks gang. When Hazard sought upgrades from this group, it was Revel who opened the door, hinting that he might have a more security-oriented function within the Phreaks.

2024-11-29 09:53