Review: 6v6 mode and Avatar event were perfect to save Season 14

Although our analysis was positive, it was a fact that not all the news arrived on the first day, frustrating a large part of the fans. The first impression of the season was negative, the only noticeable changes were the addition of the tank Hazard, a new battle pass, and Christmas modes that have been the same for years.

However, exactly one week later, Blizzard released an update finally adding 6v6 to the public. This update was something we had already raised attention to in our analysis.

The last opportunity for fans to try 6 against 6 was at Overwatch Classic. However, the occasion was more aimed at casual players who wanted to innovate in compositions without class limits, such as, for example, example, 6 tanks. We were also facing the original state of the game, with fewer heroes and balances.

This time, even the most competitive players have reasons to play 6v6, given that the queue is much more organized now, separated by roles. It’s worth mentioning that all teams will be made up of 2 Tanks, 2 DPS and 2 Supports, in addition to the current heroes, as the community requested.

Another great addition to the title was the collaborative event with Avatar: The Last Airbender, bringing us new missions with new rewards, including a free skin, in addition to cosmetic sets available for purchase. All these new features are really shaping up season 14, which until now was without much innovation.

It's also not worth ruling out the addition of more Winter Wonderland challenges, which grant three more free Christmas visuals. We are playing the update and came to give you a general analysis. Check it out!

The time has come to discuss the gameplay changes we felt during the 6v6 matches, and I can guarantee that they were positive.

Overwatch was made to be 6v6

Since its launch, the title was planned to have a team with two tanks, the maps, heroes and compositions were created based on this principle. Zenyatta is an example, he was developed thinking about combat with greater protection on the front line, and with the arrival of Overwatch 2 and one character being taken out of the team, this hero lost space. Some maps also lost much of their fan appreciation as they were designed with the idea of ​​having 12 heroes.

The return of this mode was important for us to observe these points.

Less responsibility for tanks

One of the biggest problems faced by the community is the high community for the tank, the frontline player always needs to select a hero that he dominates, and has to think several times before going at it, any more aggressive tank was already the target of criticism or swearing, as the risk of death was greater and this would cause the confrontation to be lost. Clearly, this is a negative factor for everyone on the team's emotions.

Now, this responsibility is shared, and you can play as a tank without worrying about your ability with it.

Fights last longer

Some people might think that increasing defenses and protections in a confrontation would make it slower and more boring, but we can observe the opposite. The arrival of another player on the front line makes the fights last longer. In 5v5, when the tank dies, the battle is basically over, as it becomes easy to decimate the opponents, but in 6v6, we still have another defender to hold back the enemy advance.

New combos and synergies emerging

We ignored any combo or composition with two defenders since we had 5 members on the team, however, the time has come to resume this debate. With 6v6, it’s normal to think of a Dive composition with Winston and D.Va, for example, innovating the players' gameplay.

Some heroes, like Hazard, Mauga and Ramattra, have always had to act alone, but the time has come to find a duo. It's been incredible for the community to be able to test teams with never-before-seen synergies involving these characters.

An example could be Mauga and D.Va or Zarya, where Mauga's Ultimate will trap as many opponents as possible, and the other hero in the duo can finish them with high area damage.

Balances

There were a series of balances just in 6v6, the focus was on adapting the heroes for this mode. One of the main changes was Roadhog, who is now basically back to what he was in 2016's Overwatch.

Overall, these were good adjustments capable of turning a match with 12 heroes into an enjoyable experience!

Conclusion: is 6v6 the salvation for Overwatch 2?

Not yet! It was certainly a big step for the community, and it’s a sign that the company listened to feedback. The mode itself is very fun and organized, everyone I spoke to said they had been engaged and at their peak of satisfaction with the game for a long time.

But we know that some Overwatch problems are bigger than having 5 or 6 team members. The events, despite improving lately, are still generic or feature recycled modes from other years, without any innovation.

We will talk in the next topics about the seasonal challenges of Avatar: The Last Airbender and Winter Wonderland, both offering free skins to players. Obviously, it's a positive point, but we won't know if it's enough to keep fans hooked.

Initially announced with just an image at the end of the season trailer, we finally had more details about this collaboration between two giant franchises.

Challenges and Free Skin

The first point to be noticed by free-to-play players is the challenge session, which rewards us with cosmetics and experience for the battle pass.

Blizzard is returning to the good practice of giving out skins for those who just complete missions, further motivating players to stay active. On this occasion, it’s Katara's style for Mei, representing one of the protagonists of this universe. Which also includes the exclusive “Waterbending” emote.

Another highlight were the keychains which symbolize the elements of Air, Water, Earth and Fire. You can equip them on the heroes' weapons, the image below illustrates Soldier: 76 with one of these medallions, in this case the Fire medallion.

Packages

Overwatch 2 also made some skin packs available, the main one being the Avatar: The Last Airbender Mega Bundle which brings all the sets for a price of 5700 Coins. You can also purchase each character pack separately for 2600.

Blizzard is using this strategy of granting skins to those who play as much as possible. After a week, three new challenges appeared in the Winter Wonderland session, these carrying a visual as a reward.

Echo, Cassidy and Widowmaker players were the lucky ones here, and the skins of the last two characters also bring a highlight intro with them. To unlock them, simply complete 3, 6 and 9 matches, respectively, where victories double this progress.

Free Echo Skin

Free Cassidy Skin

Free Widowmaker Skin

Good, but worrying. The return of 12 players per game along with the exclusive balance for this mode are huge improvements, and it was really pleasing. But we must consider the lack of creativity, all the modes available today are old, and Blizzard acted out of necessity to retain the audience lost with the arrival of Marvel Rivals.

It will certainly save the fourteenth season, but in the long term, 6v6 and visuals as mission rewards are not enough to keep the community active, and it’s difficult to see other solutions used in the company other than those.