Blizzard has started discussing the possibility of a hero ban system in competitive Overwatch 2 but it may not look how players expect.
Games like League of Legends and Dota 2 have a champion or hero pick-and-ban system in ranked and pro tournaments to create more dynamic gameplay. Top players are often forced to select another hero after their favorite is removed as an option, producing a different team composition and strategy.
Overwatch 2 players have often wondered about the shooter’s pick-and-ban system, too, especially when metals like GOATS take over the game. Developers have finally spoken about the future of hero bans.
The Overwatch League is no longer, but the esports side of the game has continued through new circuits. FACEIT has teamed up with Blizzard to control a new Overwatch 2 esports scene called the Overwatch Champions Series.
Now, FACEIT is looking into a hero ban system for the OWCS and Esports World Cup. According to reports from GGRecon, this could happen as soon as next week.
Apparently, FACEIT has already started discussing what the hero ban would look like for Overwatch 2, and it wouldn’t be like the ones we’re used to in games like League of Legends.
Right now, the proposed system would have both teams ban one hero per map. That hero would only be banned for the opposing team unless both teams picked the same hero to ban.
To mix it up, teams would not be allowed to ban a hero more than once in the same series.
The lower seed in the matchup would be the first to choose a hero to ban. From there, the loser of the last map would be the first to make a choice.
“Open discussions with teams and the Overwatch community are essential when considering new features. The Hero Ban is in the exploratory phase, and we have no immediate plans to introduce it on FACEIT,” a FACEIT spokesperson said.
In the past, game director Aaron Keller stated he was in favor of a hero ban system since it would add “strategic depth” to the game. But right now, developers have not confirmed that it’s coming or what the final system would look like once implemented.
And would it hit ranked, too? This is also not answered just yet.
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