Home / Software & Gaming / Overwatch 2 soft reboot drops the 2 from the name, introduces sub-roles and passives

Overwatch 2 soft reboot drops the 2 from the name, introduces sub-roles and passives

João Silva February 5, 2026 Software & Gaming

When Overwatch 2 was announced, it was a very controversial move as many fans didn't believe a sequel was needed. Now a couple of years later, Blizzard has come to that realisation as well, dropping the ‘2' from the name and introducing a soft reboot of Overwatch. 

As part of this soft reboot, fans can expect ten new heroes to join the roster, with five of them becoming available alongside the next major seasonal update. In the video below, you can get a closer look at all of the new changes coming to Overwatch in the coming weeks.

 

In addition to the new characters, Blizzard is overhauling the game's core balance by introducing sub-roles and unique passive buffs. This change further specialises the tank, damage, and support classes into categories:

TANK

  • Bruiser (Mauga / Orisa / Roadhog / Zarya): Reduces critical damage received. While at critical health, gain movement speed.
  • Initiator (D.Va / Doomfist / Winston / Wrecking Ball): Staying airborne lightly heals you.
  • Stalwart (Domina / Hazard / Junker Queen / Ramattra / Reinhardt / Sigma): Reduces knockbacks and slows received.

DAMAGE

  • Sharpshooter (Ashe / Cassidy / Hanzo / Sojourn / Widowmaker): Critical hits reduce your movement ability cooldowns.
  • Flanker (Anran / Genji / Reaper / Tracer / Vendetta / Venture): Health packs restore more health.
  • Specialist (Bastion / Emre / Junkrat / Mei / Soldier: 76 / Symmetra / Torbjorn): Eliminating an enemy briefly increases your reload speed.
  • Recon (Echo / Freja / Pharah / Sombra): You detect enemies below half health through walls after damaging them.

SUPPORT

  • Tactician (Ana / Baptiste / Jetpack Cat / Lucio / Zenyatta): You can gain excess ultimate charge, which carries over after using your ultimate ability.
  • Medic (Kiriko / Lifeweaver / Mercy / Moira): Healing allies with your weapon also heals you.
  • Survivor (Brigitte / Illari / Juno / Mizuki / Wuyang): Using a movement ability activates passive health regeneration.

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