Overwatch 2, the popular team-based shooter game from Blizzard Entertainment, is gearing up for its eighth season with some exciting new content. The game will introduce a new tank hero, Mauga, who has been long-awaited by the fans. The game will also bring back a popular game mode from Overwatch 1, Clash, which is a capture-the-point style mode with a twist. Additionally, the game will feature a new map, Hanaoka, which is set in the same region as the old Hanamura map. Here are the details of what to expect from Overwatch 2 Season 8, which will launch on December 5, 2023.
Mauga is the newest addition to the Overwatch 2 hero roster, and he is a formidable tank who wields two massive chainguns, Cha-Cha and Gunny. Mauga is a former member of the Talon mercenary group, and he has a history with Baptiste, one of the support heroes. Mauga’s abilities include:
- Chainfire: Mauga fires his chainguns, dealing damage and generating heat. When the heat reaches maximum, Mauga can unleash a powerful blast that knocks back enemies and himself.
- Barricade: Mauga deploys a shield that blocks incoming damage and reduces his movement speed. Mauga can fire his chainguns while the shield is active, but the shield will overheat and break if it takes too much damage or if Mauga uses Chainfire blast.
- Rampage: Mauga charges forward, knocking back enemies and dealing damage. Mauga can use this ability to escape or initiate fights.
- Ultimate: Fury: Mauga enters a state of rage, increasing his damage, movement speed, and resistance to crowd control effects. Mauga can also use Chainfire blast without overheating his chainguns or his shield.
Mauga is designed to be a disruptive and aggressive tank, who can create and take space for his team. Mauga will also have a unique interaction with Roadhog, another tank hero who recently received a rework. Mauga has a lot of answers to Roadhog, and he can challenge him in close-range combat.
Clash mode returns with a new twist
Clash is a game mode that was first introduced in Overwatch 1, and it is making a comeback in Overwatch 2 Season 8. Clash is a capture-the-point style mode, where two teams of six players compete to capture and hold five points on the map. The twist is that only one point is unlocked at a time, and the teams have to capture it in order to unlock the next one. The points are arranged in a linear fashion, with two points already claimed by each team at the start of the match. The middle point, or point C, is the first one to be unlocked, and the team that captures it will unlock either point B or point D, depending on which side they spawn on. The team that captures all five points, or has the most points by the end of the match time, will win the match.
Clash mode is designed to encourage team coordination and strategy, as well as hero swapping. The mode will also feature a new mechanic called Ult Charge Retention, which allows players to retain a percentage of their ultimate charge when they swap heroes. The percentage has been reduced from 25% to 15% in Season 8, to balance the advantage of counter-swapping upon dying.
Hanaoka, the new map for Clash mode
Hanaoka is the new map that will be available for Clash mode in Season 8. Hanaoka is set in the same region as the old Hanamura map, which was a two-capture-point (2CP) map in Overwatch 1. Hanaoka is located just one street over from Hanamura, and it features a similar aesthetic of traditional Japanese architecture and cherry blossoms. Hanaoka is a medium-sized map, with five capture points arranged in a straight line. The map has various routes and flanking opportunities, as well as high ground and cover positions. Hanaoka is a map that will test the players’ adaptability and map awareness, as they have to capture and defend different points throughout the match.
Overwatch 2 Season 8 is set to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, with a new hero, a new game mode, and a new map. The season will launch on December 5, 2023, and players can expect more updates and balance changes from the developers as the season progresses. Overwatch 2 is available for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
