Overwatch 2 has had its fair share of new heroes for the past seasons. So far, we’ve got Kiriko and Ramattra, two colorful characters who have since become a staple in many people’s rosters of mains. If you’re a player who doesn’t like to stick to using one character, then maybe the game’s upcoming hero might change your mind.
On April 3, Overwatch’s official Twitter account posted a photo confirming a new hero coming to the competitive FPS in Season 4. As you can see from the photo, the man looks absolutely fire. Blizzard also teased his debut on social media before this announcement.
Lifeweaver
Overwatch 2’s next hero is Lifeweaver, a support-class character slated to debut in Blizzard’s first-person shooter. He’s the 37th playable character, and he uses biolight technology to build structures like platforms to reach higher ground and heal his teammates. Lifeweaver’s design incorporates lotus flowers, based on the Twitter photo we’ve seen. Plus, those mandala-style petals on his back are too hard not to notice.
Based on the speculations, Lifeweaver seems of Thai origin if we look at his dress and the prangs behind the photo’s background. Oh, and did we forget to mention he’s hot AND pansexual?
Lifeweaver’s Abilities
There’s not too much information about Lifeweaver’s abilities since he just got announced, but we know a few tidbits. First, he can reposition his teammates, shield them, and pull them towards him using Life Grip. You can use this ability to save someone from being yeeted off the map (like from Lucio’s Soundwave, for example) or get them out of the line of fire. Being in a compromised position isn’t a good time for anyone.
Lifeweaver’s ultimate ability, Tree of Life, allows him to generate a giant tree structure. You can place this tree anywhere on the map, and it emits healing pulses. It also acts as a cover for your team to avoid enemy fire.
Here’s a general idea of the Lifeweaver’s abilities:
- Thorn Volley – An alternate primary fire that dishes out respectable damage to ward off aggressors.
- Parting Gift (Passive) – Parting Gift can only be triggered upon death. It causes Lifeweaver to drop a healing item that heroes from both teams can pick up.
- Life Grip – Used to reposition team members by pulling them towards Lifeweaver. A shield is also provided.
- Tree of Life – Creates a giant tree anywhere on the map. The tree can heal Lifeweaver’s teammates but can also be used as a giant shield to protect them.
Not Your Usual Support
Alec Dawson, the lead hero designer for Overwatch 2, stated that Lifeweaver’s playstyle was meant to give players an alternative way to play a support character. If you were the type who has always had trouble aiming, Lifeweaver might be worth trying when he comes out. Dawson told PCGamesN in an interview that they wanted to create another conventional support hero—that relied on a player’s skill to aim.
Dawson went on to say that Lifeweaver is designed for those who care more about their positioning and game sense. It’s not just about being able to aim those attacks accurately—it’s about knowing when and where you should use the proper abilities to be the most effective in a teamfight.
That’s about what’s being shared on the interwebs regarding Lifeweaver’s abilities for now. More info should come to light once Blizzard divulges the details. But in the meantime, the best we can do is wait for Blizzard to shed light.
Get Hyped for Season 4
Besides the usual seasonal battle pass, you’ll be glad to hear that Blizzard has finally listened to the complaints regarding map pools. Since we switched from Overwatch to Overwatch 2, players have been having a horrible time with map pools. Not every single map is available to everyone at any given time. Blizzard claims these map pools allow veterans to encounter new maps more frequently in the game, but they remain unpopular. After an eternity, Blizzard is getting rid of those darned map pools when Season 4 kicks off. Whether you’re a veteran or a casual player, the removal will be a welcome change for all.
Season 4 is just around the corner, and it’s expected to launch on April 11. Like the previous heroes, Lifeweaver will likely be released in Overwatch 2 as part of the game’s upcoming battle pass. As such, he won’t be available to play in the competitive modes immediately. Besides that, there aren’t any confirmations as to what will come with the pass for Season 4. It’s safe to assume that we can expect the usual unlockable rewards consisting of exclusive skins, highlight intros, victory poses, emotes, and more.