Mercy is a character in Overwatch who has been reworked more than any other hero. Many players find her too boring since the last nerfs. A movement called #ReworkMercy aims to make her exciting again.
Who is #ReworkMercy? The #ReworkMercy movement is an association of players initiated by YouTuber Aria Rose, aiming to improve the hero Mercy. Fans are collecting suggestions and criticisms and actively discussing which changes could make Mercy a better hero.
#ReworkMercy, a slightly different movement
According to the movement, Mercy feels less exciting to play after her reworks and nerfs than before. Many fans complain that they no longer have an impact on the game.
What is the criticism?
One of the biggest criticisms is that Mercy, as a support, has lost her usefulness. Since her last nerf, Mercy heals less, which used to be her unique selling point. She has always been the support who could heal best and most effectively – at the cost of other abilities.
In this area, she is now at least outperformed by Moira and Ana, both of whom provide equally strong healing while also supporting the team with damage and other useful abilities.
A player has elaborated on his suggestions and criticism to the US site Kotaku. Mercy is no longer influential enough for Overwatch and is not fun anymore:
I think that although her kit is fine, Mercy’s ultimate and abilities need improvement. Specifically, her ultimate Valkyrie. I agree that she is balanced, but the ultimate no longer excites me like the mass-res. Right now, nothing about her says, “Hey, play Mercy over hero X.”
It is acknowledged that Mercy is still played in higher ranks. However, it is about allowing the much larger part of casual players to enjoy the game as well, not just the “1%”.
What is the goal?
#ReworkMercy aims to remain constructive at all times. Fans are trying to get attention through videos and posts on forums or Reddit. They collect criticism and publish it, discuss suggestions, and engage in conversations about possible changes.
They are trying to find out why Mercy feels so boring from their perspective. This insight should then be spread so that it also reaches Blizzard and prompts changes.
After other movements like #DeleteBrig emerged, which achieve their goal through unfriendliness, #ReworkMercy wants to prove sustainable constructiveness. Aria Rose states:
Do I believe one can get attention faster with a toxic hashtag? Yes. But that’s not the point. I want to take this toxic movement and make something good out of it. I want it to be the counterpoint to the #DeleteBrig movement. I want to see ideas.
#DeleteBrig wanted to force the removal of Brigitte through toxic behavior and loud demands. The resentment grew to the point that many players believed a troll, who spread a lie about Brigitte’s removal. At least some nerfs did actually hit Brigitte.
How should Mercy be reworked?
Many players have followed the call since then. New videos and contributions in forums addressing the topic keep appearing. Several possible changes have come up repeatedly:
- Mercy should regain her old ultimate, Resurrection.
- Mercy should receive a new ultimate with a completely new mechanic.
- Mercy is actually in a good position and only needs buffs.
- Mercy should gain abilities that compensate for the lack of healing and make her playstyle more active.
One of the possible new ultimates is that Mercy slams her staff into the ground. Around her, a kind of refuge appears, where allies are healed and resurrected. Other users suggest improving healing abilities or possible “overhealing”.
In a Google Doc, Aria Rose even collected and made all previous suggestions accessible. More than 100 suggestions have been submitted.
What the opposing voices say
There are also several critics of the movement who oppose another rework of the heroine. One user in the official forums writes on the subject:
I wouldn’t call it a “movement”. It’s the desperate attempt by e-girls to make their favorite hero overpowered again. She won’t get a rework. Stop hoping. Just play someone else.
Somewhat less derogatory and more constructively, some players at higher skill ratings argue that Mercy still has her place. As part of the “Pharmercy” comp, that is, Pharah and Mercy, she is still popular and strong.
Even the operator of the YouTube channel Unit Lost, Stylosa, criticizes. He points out that many no longer remember how terrible the game was with the old Mercy. There was no skill involved.
For this statement, he was harshly criticized by other YouTubers who are part of the movement. However, Stylosa also brought his own suggestions for improving Mercy, which primarily focused on making her less dependent on her “Resurrection” mechanic and integrating her more actively into gameplay.
Whether Blizzard will revisit Mercy is unclear. In November 2018, it was communicated that there will only be reworks in Overwatch in emergencies.
What do you think about the topic? Should Mercy have another rework?
Do you feel that the air has generally gone out of Overwatch? A movie could perhaps change that.
