Overwatch 2 Hero Bans Debut at EWC

Overwatch

25 Jul

Andre Guaraldo

Hero bans have been a hot topic in the Overwatch community for years, but it's only now that a major event, the Esports World Cup (EWC), has taken the plunge to implement them. This move promises to reshape the landscape of Overwatch 2 and is a significant step forward in the game's evolution.

Today's match between GG and ROC had Baptiste and Ashe banned in one of the games (credits: EWC)

The long-awaited implementation of Overwatch 2 hero bans

The idea of banning heroes has long been debated among players and analysts alike. Many have argued that hero bans could balance gameplay by limiting the dominance of particularly powerful or annoying heroes. Despite the discussions, no major Overwatch 2 tournament had adopted this mechanic—until now.

How the Hero Ban system works

At the EWC, the hero ban system operates with clear and strategic rules designed to maximize its impact

One ban per team, per map: Each team can ban one hero per map.
Ban affects both teams: Once a hero is banned, neither team can use that hero for the duration of the map.
Ban order determined by previous map: The losing team of the previous map picks the ban order for the next map.
Different role bans: The second team must ban a hero from a different role than the first team's ban.
Non-repetitive bans: Teams cannot repeat their own bans but can ban heroes previously banned by the opposing team.

This structured approach ensures that teams must think critically about their bans, adding a new layer of strategy to the game.

Anticipated impact on Competitive Play

The introduction of hero bans at the EWC is expected to bring several key changes to competitive Overwatch 2:

Increased Strategic Depth: Teams will need to adapt their strategies on the fly, considering both the heroes they want to ban and the potential bans from their opponents.
Balanced Gameplay: By removing particularly powerful or frustrating heroes, the bans could lead to more balanced and engaging matches.
Fresh Metagame: The hero ban system will likely disrupt established metas, forcing teams to innovate and explore new compositions and tactics.

Mauga is one of the many heroes considered "annoying" and will likely be banned a lot (credits: Forbes)

Community and professional reactions

The community's response to the hero ban system has been overwhelmingly positive. Many players appreciate the potential for more balanced matches and the reduction of specific heroes dominance. Professional players and analysts are also watching closely to see how this change will affect the overall competition.

Looking Forward

The success of the hero ban system at the EWC could pave the way for its adoption in other major tournaments, such as the Overwatch Contenders Series (OWCS). If it proves to enhance gameplay and viewer experience, hero bans might become a staple in competitive Overwatch 2.

As the EWC unfolds, all eyes will be on how hero bans shape the competition. This innovative mechanic has the potential to revolutionize the game, offering a fresh and strategic approach to Overwatch 2's biggest tournament of the year. Stay tuned to see how this bold experiment plays out and what it means for the future of competitive Overwatch.