Overwatch 2 Players will get their hands on the newest addition to the hero shooter, Hazard, this weekend, along with a preview ahead of its official release next season. Unveiled earlier this week, Hazard is a spiked tank that developer Blizzard Entertainment describes as a “momentum-based mix of diving and brawling styles that will have opponents running for cover.”
Blizzard calls Hazard “a charismatic and contrarian punk rocker who may seem a little rough around the edges, but is a fierce defender at heart.” Originally envisioned as a villain, Hazard eventually transformed into a hero. In the game, he is a member of the Phreakz, a rebel faction allied with the Omnics and fighting for bodily autonomy.
Hazard’s story discusses his life as a former soldier after multiple amputation. His full-body cybernetic enhancements are tied to his abilities, some of which overlap with another brawler focused on diving Overwatch 2 composition, Doomfist. If you like to harass the backline while also protecting your frontline, Hazard could be your next main tank.
Hazard’s skill set includes Bonespur, his shotgun-like weapon that fires bursts of spikes. He has a jumping attack called Violent Leap, which launches him towards his target and allows him to slash them with the blade protruding from his left arm. Hazard’s spike defense ability protects him from the front while also firing homing spikes at nearby enemies.
Taking a page from Mei, Hazard can also summon a short-lived wall. With the Jagged Wall skill, Hazard can create a spiked wall of vanadium, dealing damage and knocking back enemies. These walls can be placed on floors, ceilings, or other existing walls to create obstacles or knock enemies off ledges or pits. Hazard can also climb jagged walls (or any wall, really) thanks to his Vault passive, which gives him extra mobility.
Ultimate Gambling is called Downpour. Sees a shower of spikes rain down, damaging and immobilizing enemies, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
Overwatch 2 lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson describes Hazard’s skill set as “versatile”.
“Hazard’s skills can be used offensively or defensively, depending on the situation he is in,” Dawson told Polygon via email. “He can be all over the map if you use his Rush Jump and Vault a lot. Positioning is key with Hazard because while he has a lot of mobility in terms of runtime, he doesn’t allow it to go as far as, say, Winston’s Leap.
“Like other tanks, Hazard can have a lot of success on maps with tight chokes. Jagged Wall can separate teams and even deal extra damage to ensure elimination. However, due to his versatile kit, Hazard is also successful on maps where his mobility is important. Let’s say you’re on Hanoaki’s point C, he can easily transition between low and high ground, switch between holding positions, and dash to the finish line.
Despite some connections to Doomfist, Hazard’s “constant pressure really sets him apart,” Dawson said.
“In Spike Guard, Hazard is slowly reloading his main Bonespur pistol,” he explained. “This allows him to stay in the fight, going from Bonespur to Spike Guard with little downtime. Therefore, Hazard pairs well with DPS champions who can maintain pressure in the same way, or with supports who can deal enough healing when Hazard is in combat.
According to Blizzard, Hazard was developed under the codename Spiker and was conceived “with an emphasis on making its defense and attack one and the same.” Previous versions of his design were much more nefarious and menacing, with a toxic green color scheme and a razor-sharp metal jaw. (This is the version the developer announced at last year’s BlizzCon, showing only a cartoonish player icon.)
“Starting with a cyberpunk and punk rock aesthetic, Hazard began as a monstrous and intimidating villain,” Blizzard wrote in a blog post. “Over time, his story and appearance have refined into someone who is still tough but has that rebellious charm – like a combination of edginess combined with the heart of a defender.”
The final version of Hazard shows him as softer but still tough, almost in a Himbo style. He also has a dog.
Overwatch 2 players will be able to try out Hazard from November 22-25. Will officially join Overwatch 2 lineup on December 10, when the 14th season of the game begins. Hazard will be the game’s 42nd hero, meaning the number of playable players in Overwatch has doubled from the original Overwatch released in 2016 with 21 characters. These 21 original heroes are currently playable in the limited-time Overwatch: Classic mode available on Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2 can be played for free on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
