Overwatch 2's Director Confirms Roadhog Rework for Season 7

Overwatch 2 players who have eagerly awaited Roadhog's much-needed rework can breathe a sigh of relief, as the game's director has provided assurance that the hero's overhaul is on track and scheduled to arrive in the upcoming Season 7. With Overwatch 2 currently in its sixth season, which introduced PvE Invasion missions, Flashpoint mode, and the addition of Illari, the anticipation for Season 7 is building. This upcoming season is expected to include the celebration of Overwatch 2's one-year anniversary since its launch.

Throughout Overwatch's history, Roadhog has stood out as the tank designed to flank and spend considerable time away from the team. His ability to hook unsuspecting squishy targets and eliminate them with his shotgun made him a formidable threat in the game's 6v6 dual-tank team compositions. However, Overwatch 2 transitioned to a single-tank 5v5 setup, necessitating that Roadhog, like other tanks, spend more time on the frontline with the team as the sole tank. Despite this shift, Roadhog remained a strong tank pick in the early weeks and months of Overwatch 2. Unfortunately, a significant nerf to his primary damage earlier this year removed his ability to one-shot 200HP heroes after hooking them, resulting in underperformance and disappointment among Roadhog mains.

Earlier in the year, Overwatch 2 promised Roadhog enthusiasts that the hero would undergo a rework to enhance his viability and effectiveness as the lone tank in 5v5 compositions. In the monthly Director's Take blog post by the game's Director, Aaron Keller, fans were reminded about the long-anticipated Roadhog rework. Keller revealed that it is expected to be ready as part of Season 7's midseason update, which is likely to fall within the first half of November.

While the announcement confirms the rework's arrival, specific details about what the Roadhog rework will entail remain undisclosed. It is unclear whether Roadhog will regain his ability to one-shot opponents. It is anticipated that his iconic hook will remain unchanged but may undergo some stat adjustments. However, Roadhog's "Take a Breather" ability, allowing him to self-heal for 300HP even while taking damage, could potentially undergo a significant nerf or be removed altogether. This ability was well-suited for Roadhog's former role as a flanker in the original Overwatch but has become a considerable challenge for opposing teams in 5v5 compositions, given his frequent proximity to teammates and access to support healing.

As Season 7 draws nearer, Roadhog fans can expect to learn more about the specifics of his rework. In the meantime, the next hero slated for a rework in Overwatch 2 is the stealthy hacker, Sombra. However, the timeline for Sombra's rework remains undisclosed. Overwatch 2 players can also look forward to the game's anniversary and Halloween events, set to go live next month.