What Could a Ranged Tank Play Like?

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home February 1, 2025 4 Views 8 Min Read
What Could a Ranged Tank Play Like?
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Overwatch 2 remains one of the most prominent titles in the hero shooter genre, but with so much competition, it sometimes struggles to stand out among the crowd. One way Blizzard might reinvigorate the Overwatch 2 fanbase is by adding unexpected new characters, such as a ranged tank. But just how a character like that might work may not be immediately clear.

Many of the tank characters in Overwatch 2 have become fan favorites. The game does an excellent job of keeping them both powerful and balanced, but also fun to play by giving them some of the strongest abilities on the roster. Most Overwatch 2 players, at some point in the game, have flocked to characters like Reinhardt and D.Va to experience their Earthshatter and Self-Destruct ultimates, respectively. In a game that continues to add new content and experiment with new types of characters, powerful abilities are at the heart of what keeps fans invested. With that in mind, a ranged tank character could be a game-changer if properly introduced.

Overwatch 2 43rd Hero GameRant Visual

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Overwatch 2 May Be Hiding Its Next Playable Hero in Plain Sight

Though Blizzard has been keeping its cards close to its chest regarding Overwatch 2’s next playable hero, this character may be hiding in plain sight.

How Overwatch 2 Can Implement a Ranged Tank

Recently, Overwatch 2 has used a model of introducing a new hero every other season, so roughly every 2 to 4 months. Even though Hazard was just introduced in the current season, there are already rumors about Overwatch 2’s 43rd hero. Maximilien, an omnic casino owner who provides funds for Talon, may be the next character in line to become playable. Because Hazard is a tank hero, it’s unlikely that Maximilien would be one as well if introduced in an upcoming season, but it would be a welcome surprise to see him adapted into one.

Maximilien’s character doesn’t easily lend itself to a combat moveset, leading some to wonder what his abilities might look like. The best place to draw inspiration for attacks might be by basing them on his casino. His use in the recent Maximilien’s Vault event has led some to speculate he could use cards in a unique way. One theory is that he might adopt the persona of a summoner, using a move similar to Bastion’s Mirrorwatch ultimate, Configuration: Reinforcement, in order to summon assistance from his deck of cards.

A summoner might not be the character archetype that first springs to mind when considering tanks, but the range that their summons provide could enable them to become one. If given a high defense with plenty of health, the summoner could remain behind the front lines and let their underlings deal high damage on their behalf instead. When Mirrorwatch Bastion experimented with summoning, the ultimate made him immobile while spawning his summons. That helped balance the extra fighters, as the hero wasn’t able to move or attack while their minions were present. This set-up would be highly experimental, but with rumors that Overwatch 2 is experimenting with stage hazards, new hero roles may be on the table as well.

Overwatch 2 Can Learn from Its Rivals

Other potential ranged tank movesets might come courtesy of Overwatch 2’s latest competitor, Marvel Rivals. It’s undeniable that the new Marvel hero shooter has taken some inspiration from Overwatch 2, but that doesn’t have to be a one-way interaction. If Overwatch 2 can learn from some of Marvel Rivals’ more unorthodox characters, it might be able to pull ahead of the competition. For example, Peni Parker may be Marvel Rivals’ most unusual tank, primarily because her defenses aren’t bolstered by any type of shield ability. Instead, Peni is best used from the middle or back line to set traps for the enemy team. She still retains the high health and low mobility of a tank, but her moveset is different from the typical expectation of the role.

One of the newest additions to Marvel Rivals, Mr. Fantastic, is also a bizarre mash-up of character types that Overwatch 2 could take note of. Not only is he a ranged melee character, using his stretchy powers to punch from afar, but he also has a few tank-like abilities as well. One of Mr. Fantastic’s special moves sees him take on the form of a human shield, absorbing damage for a short time before launching back at the enemy. He also has a passive that transforms him into a bulkier character after dealing enough damage. In this form, he keeps his ranged attacks but also deals higher damage. These are only a few examples of outside-the-box thinking that could lead to a powerful tank with ranged attacks. Overwatch 2 has a dedicated fan base, who will stand by it no matter the competition or the heroes that get added to the game, but in order to gain new fans and remain relevant, it must be willing to experiment with the unexpected.

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