Overwatch League has revealed Sombra and Bastion’s reworks for Overwatch 2, including revamped ultimates and overhauled abilities.
Geoff Goodman, who is the lead designer for the game, made an appearance during the Overwatch League Watchpoint pre-show. Goodman unveiled some awe-inspiring details about two of the game’s popular DPS heroes including, Bastion and Sombra.
The visual rework for Sombra was showcased at the Summer Games Fest in June. However, this is our first glimpse at her new kit. The ultimate abilities of both heroes have undergone radical overhauls for the sequel. Sombra will be able to deal more damage, while Bastion will deliver more tactical attacks.
Sombra rework
Game director Aaron Keller, and Goodman said that they wanted to reduce Sombra’s crowd control effects while increasing her potential damage. If the preview is anything to go by, the duo has definitely accomplished that goal.
Sombra’s key ability dubbed, Hack, will now last eight seconds and the cooldown will be reduced to three seconds. However, Goodman revealed that it will boast two different “components” in Overwatch 2.
While in Overwatch, Hack restricts the abilities for heroes for quite some time, this portion will not last for more than a single second in the sequel. The remaining seven seconds of her Hack ability will divulge details about the enemies’ location to Sombra and her team, per DotEsports.
Sombra changes coming to Overwatch 2
? Reveal hacked targets thru walls
?? Hack no longer removes stealth
⌛ Hack cooldown reduced
? Deal more dmg to hacked targets
And more… pic.twitter.com/Ty3vJqAli9— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) September 26, 2021
Furthermore, Sombra will be able to inflict 50 percent more damage to a target once it is hacked. As a result, she will have more power to finish kills and finish off specific heroes. Aside from that, she will be able to back while in Stealth mode. She will be revealed to the enemy team for a short period.
The most notable change to Sombra’s kit affects her ultimate, EMP. This ultimate disables enemies’ abilities and is a widespread version of Sombra’s Hack ability in the base game.
In Overwatch 2, EMP will hack enemies and even deal damage equivalent to 40 percent of their current health. Although, since it will not remove all shields, enemies will have a chance to escape her outrage. Now, Sombra will be able to instantaneously knock down single targets.
Boop!
All new ability updates for Sombra coming to Overwatch 2. pic.twitter.com/Z678niEUb5
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) September 26, 2021
Bastion Rework
Many of Bastion’s existing abilities have either been removed or completely reworked in a bid to fit the pace of fights in Overwatch 2. Self-Repair, which is one of his main abilities, has is unavailable now. This increases Bastion’s vulnerability.
He will boast a new ability dubbed, Tactical Grenade. This is a projectile that can bounce off walls and stick to players to deal significant amounts of damage. In his upright form, Bastion’s weapon no longer has spread. Instead, it has a lower rate of fire that resembles a burst-fire rifle or a sniper.
In Sentry form, Bastion will be able to slowly explore the map instead of staying in one place. However, this mode will have a cooldown.
Bastion changes coming to Overwatch 2
⏩ Move while in sentry form
? New ultimate: Artillery Strike
? New ability: Tactical Grenade
? Cap-tivating new look
And more… pic.twitter.com/Jp4NGom4JO— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) September 26, 2021
Furthermore, the omnic’s ultimate, Tank is no longer available. He now has a new ability called Artillery Strike. This allows players to choose between three regions on the map where rockets will rain down from above.
During the Watchpoint pre-show, Goodman revealed that the aforesaid attack will deal a total of 600 damage on a direct strike, split into 300 explosion damage and 300 impact damage. However, he pointed out that direct strikes are rare.
Aside from that getting a radically overhauled kit, Bastion got an appealing visual update. It seems that he managed to get his hands on one of the mechanic’s hats. This small change boosts the cuteness factor.
Goodman and Keller remained mum on the exact release date of Overwatch 2, but both revealed that playtests were working well. Much to their delight, Overwatch League players had a chance to test Overwatch 2. Their exhibition match will debut at the league’s Grand Finals broadcast.
