Overwatch 2 fans, it’s finally happening. As Blizzard hinted back in July, we plan to test a return to six-man teams. When the transition from the original game happened a couple of years ago, Blizzard switched to a 5v5 format and fielded one tank from each side. However, following countless requests from the community, the team is ready to put a new spin on the old format using different approaches to team composition.
The next season of Overwatch 2 will feature two 6-on-6 tests. The first test will begin one week after Season 14. Based on when the current season is expected to end (December 10th considering the Battle Pass countdown), this means the first 6v6 tests will begin around December 17th.
Blizzard is trying to avoid some of the problems that persisted with the 2-2-2 setup of two tanks, two supports, and two damage (or DPS) heroes in the original Overwatch. Initial testing will offer something in between that strict role queue format and allowing players to have any combination of heroes they like without duplicating the same characters (the current open queue option).
Each team of six has 1-3 heroes of each role. So you can choose to run with 3 tanks, 2 supports, and 1 DPS in a setup similar to the infamous GOATS meta. However, this is a twist on the open queue format, so teams can also change configurations mid-match.
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“There are several different combinations here that you can try out, but this allows for a variety of team compositions that we’ve never seen before in Overwatch 2,” said Game Director Aaron. Keller wrote in a blog post. “In addition to experimenting with a format that can be considered a middle ground between Role Queue and Open Queue, we also want to explore how Overwatch 2’s heroes, abilities, and updates work in a 6v6 environment before expanding to other types of testing. You can also check.
The second Test will take place at some point later in Season 14 (and will also feature a new Scottish hero). In a sense, this would be back to 2-2-2. However, it will “incorporate some new principles we introduced in Overwatch 2,” including reworking heroes and reducing crowd control abilities.
Blizzard will be making significant balance changes just for these two tests. For example, the power and survivability of tanks will be reduced. Many passive abilities, such as self-healing over time for all heroes, may be adjusted or removed.
“These format tests are all about understanding whether we can make our core game even stronger,” Keller wrote. “Every day, millions of players dive into the core 5v5 format, and the last thing we want is to negatively impact that experience. What’s interesting about these tests is that they appeal to a different group of players. We were nervous about the move to 5v5 when Overwatch 2 was released, and as part of this series of tests, we’re looking to potentially introduce a larger number of players. The purpose is not only to determine your desire for team size, but also to consider different ways in which changes can be implemented without encountering the same problems we had previously.
Before the big 6v6 test, Blizzard plans to try some configuration-based experiments in Season 13. In the first experiment, players can run with any spin they want in 2-2-1, but the tank’s health will be reduced. In open queue mode. Again, you are not locked into a specific role. For example, you can switch from support to damage as long as your team doesn’t already have two DPS heroes. The second 5v5 test, called “Kingmaker,” will be a twist on this, but will reward players who fly solo in a given role with some kind of bonus.
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“We’re looking for more freedom in 5v5 while still being able to successfully complete more types of composition,” Keller said. These two tests will “provide a good benchmark and framework for those of us going into 6v6 testing,” and Blizzard hopes players will provide feedback on them.
The future of 6v6 depends on how much enthusiasm there is. “In a world where so many players are participating and playing consistently in this mode, we’ve gotten the signal that we need to do more with this mode,” Keller wrote. The game’s director says that until a few months ago it was difficult to foresee a long-term coexistence of 5v5 and 6v6, but if the latter becomes a hit with fans; “We know what the players want.” There are multiple experiences, so that will have to be taken into account. ”
So that’s it! If you’re itching for the return of 6-on-6, you’ll probably spend a fair amount of time playing these tests. These experiments seem like a smart way to move things forward, and could mark a return to an era when it was easier to swap roles and players had much more flexibility to execute great plays.
However, the permanent return of 6-on-6 is likely to be some time away. Overwatch 2 is fully tailored for 5v5 in terms of hero abilities, reworks, and balance changes. The maps are also designed with 5v5 in mind, and the team has updated many of the maps from the original Overwatch to include more cover. So while it may take some time to adjust to make 6-on-6 a reality, its return is no longer a pipe dream for players.
