It looks like Overwatch‘s roster is about to get a little bigger.
The team-based shooter’s official Twitter account has released an image that shows off an interesting weapon: a sniper rifle that can heal. This is likely a reference to Sombra, a rumored character that players have found clues and hints of in the game and official videos. Overwatch has already been a big success for Blizzard, and introducing a new character will keep players engaged. It’s a tactic that multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBAs) like League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm have used with success, although many MOBAs charge for new heroes. Blizzard has stated that Overwatch’s new heroes will be free. This will be the first new hero added to the game since its launch in May.
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— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) July 6, 2016
A sniper/healer hybrid will be an interesting addition to the competitive shooter. It has two snipers, Hanzo and Widowmaker. A third, especially one that heals, could make for some interesting team compositions. Overwatch currently has two characters dedicated to healing: Mercy and Luico. Zenyatta can also heal, although he’s more of a damage-dealing/healer hybrid who can also weaken enemies. The attack-focused Soldier 76 also has a move that does a little healing in a short radius.
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It’ll also give Blizzard a new challenge when it comes to balancing its game. Heroes like McCree and Widowmaker recently saw nerfs (meaning they became weaker). Adding a new character will make the balancing act between all of the game’s heroes even more difficult.
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