Overwatch 2 season 9 shocker: all heroes self-heal

In a significant update for Overwatch 2, beginning with Season 9 set to kick off on February 20th, all heroes in the game will gain the ability to passively heal themselves. This expansion of self-healing abilities, previously exclusive to Support heroes, to Tank and Damage heroes has sparked considerable debate within the community. Numerous players have expressed concerns that the change might negatively impact team cooperation and potentially diminish the importance of Support heroes. Following the backlash, the game's director, Aaron Keller, responded to the criticism by admitting that the announcement should not have been made without proper context, indicating that this change is part of a broader overhaul in the upcoming season. Keller also apologized and expressed eagerness for further discussions on the future of the game.

Why are Overwatch 2 players unhappy with the self-healing update?

Players are concerned that allowing all characters to self-heal could undermine teamwork and make Support heroes less essential in Overwatch 2, deviating from the game’s strategic foundation.

The introduction of self-healing for all characters could be seen as part of Overwatch 2's effort to innovate and keep the gameplay experience fresh. However, it's important to note that since its launch, the game has periodically faced community backlash over various gameplay changes and decisions that differed from the original Overwatch. These sentiments have been reflected in user reviews, with the game often receiving criticism for its updates and changes.