Blizzard reveals Overwatch 2 hero reworks for Orisa and Doomfist

Source: Activision Blizzard

Ahead of the Overwatch 2 beta that’s arriving on April 26, developer Blizzard has detailed the reworks being made to two of the game’s heroes: Doomfist and Orisa. These reworks are designed to make both characters more effective and viable as Overwatch PvP as a whole moves from a 6v6 format to a 5v5 one in Overwatch 2.

The rework to Doomfist is centered around his new role as a tank hero. Compared to the version of Doomfist currently playable in the original Overwatch, Overwatch 2’s Doomfist gains a health increase to 450 and changes that make his offensive abilities like Rocket Punch and Hand Cannon charge faster, but do less damage. Additionally, Doomfist is also getting a special tanking ability called Power Block that allows him to block 90% of incoming damage.

Damage taken during Power Block’s duration empowers Doomfist’s Rocket Punch, increasing its damage, distance, and knockback. Also, Doomfist’s Seismic Slam ability has been reworked to be more like Winston’s leap, and when you land near enemies with it they will be damaged and slowed. Doomfist’s Ultimate, Meteor Strike, will have slightly reduced damage on the edge of its impact zone but will also slow any enemies hit by the move. Notably, Doomfist’s Uppercut ability will be removed with this rework.

Orisa, meanwhile, has been reworked more extensively for Overwatch 2. Her Protective Barrier, Halt!, and Supercharger abilities have all been removed, while she has gained a new Energy Javelin that she can launch at enemies to damage, stun, and knock them back (the move is more effective if the enemy player hit is knocked into a wall). Additionally, Orisa can also use her new Javelin Spin ability to destroy incoming projectiles, physically push enemies back, and increase her movement speed. This ability will allow Orisa to play much more aggressively than she could before. Orisa’s Fusion Driver also now fires projectiles that start off large and then shrink as they travel, and the weapon now uses an overheating mechanic rather than a traditional reload.

Orisa’s iconic Fortify ability has been tweaked as well, with the move now giving her 125 extra temporary health and 50% slower Fusion Driver heat buildup, but a 20% movement speed penalty. Finally, Orisa’s new Terra Surge Ultimate allows her to sweep enemies close to her and hit them with a surge of damage. For the duration of the Ultimate, Orisa will get the benefits of Fortify.

Overall, these reworks are quite significant, and it will be interesting to see how the developers rework other heroes in the Overwatch roster as we get closer to Overwatch 2’s (unannounced) release date. Note that players will be able to try out the reworks for Doomfist and Orisa, as well as reworks for Bastion and Sombra, during the upcoming Overwatch 2 beta.