Finally, Overwatch 2 is talking about the elephant in the room: 6vs6 is being discussed again, but the DPS players need to change something.
The release of Overwatch 2 has been a while now. Promises like the PvE mode have been broken, and especially the switch from “6vs6” to “5vs5” has alienated many and continues to be a topic of discussion to this day. A few days ago, it was announced that they finally want to have a discussion about it and share the developers’ views. That has now happened.
One of the main reasons for switching to 5vs5: the DPS characters.
The current season in Overwatch 2:
What has changed in Overwatch 2? Until the end of Overwatch 2, there was a “2-2-2” format. So 2 tanks, 2 DPS characters, and 2 supporters. Overwatch 2 then switched to “1-2-2” – meaning only one tank per team.
As Aaron Keller, the Game Director of Overwatch 2, now explains on the Overwatch website, this was done for several reasons. One reason was that 2 tanks often ensured that the game never really progressed and it often felt like a match came to a standstill at the first turn or choke point. When 2 tanks with 2 supporters in the back rotate their defensive abilities and shields, a battle can almost only be decided by ultimates.
The second, and probably more important reason: Too many players want to play DPS. There are simply not enough people who want to play tank. This is not because Overwatch 2 generally lacks players, but the ratio between tanks and DPS characters is extreme.
The problem was this severe: To show how drastic the problem was, Keller showed a statistic:
In Overwatch 1, DPS players had to wait 7.6 minutes in the role selection to find a match. In Overwatch 2, this time has dropped to 2.9 minutes. The effect is thus stronger than a halving of the waiting time.
If we were to simply return to a 6vs6, it would be like flipping that switch again. The waiting times for DPS fans would explode again, significantly hindering the enjoyment of the game.
Will 6vs6 ever return? That is uncertain. However, the developers want to experiment with some modes and adjustments in the coming seasons to find out whether and how to bring back the 6vs6 mode. There is a lot to consider in this regard, as they do not want to drastically worsen waiting times or alienate those fans who prefer the 5vs5 format.
Additionally, Overwatch 2 offers better graphics and shows more details on screen. 2 more characters per match could lead to the game not running well on older hardware, and that should also be avoided.
This is how the community reacts: Even though the community is generally at odds with the developers of Overwatch 2, this long statement from Aaron Keller is receiving much praise in the Overwatch subreddit. There is repeated recognition for going into such detail and openly explaining many connections and thoughts. For some, understanding the shift from 6vs6 to 5vs5 now seems greater, and a discussion has erupted on how to solve the tank shortage problems.
Whether Blizzard will ever return to a permanent 6vs6 mode with Overwatch 2 is questionable. But the developers are clearly willing to try it and then discuss the findings and results with the community. But just to keep it from getting too positive: Overwatch 2 is currently selling a weapon skin for €80.
