Overwatch Is Finally Getting Hero Bans, Well, Kind Off

After years of demands from fans, Overwatch is finally getting Hero Bans. Well, kind off. In other games like Rainbow Six Siege, players can choose which operators to ban from the match themselves. Bans are used to make it difficult for the opposite team to attack or defend the bomb sites. Overwatch is also implementing something of the sort, but instead of players deciding which characters to ban, it will be Blizzard making the decision.

Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed in a developer update video that Blizzard will use what they call a “Hero Pool” system. It is different from Hero bans in other games because of one crucial reason. Players don't ban Heroes in a match per match basis, but Blizzard will choose which Heroes will be banned. Each ban will last a week and then is later changed. Blizzard made this decision to "prevent players from stagnating on any one meta too long."

"The Hero Pool will only last for one week, and then there will be a new Hero Pool," Kaplan said "There will be some heroes that will not be included in the Hero Pool. For example, in the first week of the Hero Pool, let's say Season 21 had just started, maybe Orisa, Sigma, Mei, and Moira are not in the Hero Pool. Players will have to think of a new strategy that doesn't involve those heroes, and that will last for one week, and then the Hero Pool will change."

It was also confirmed that the Hero Pool will only be used in Competitive Play and not in Quickplay or Arcade mode. Kaplan also said that nothing is 100 percent sure and that things might change in the future. Blizzard can make changes in the new system like increasing or decreasing the duration of the ban. The Overwatch Pro League will also use "a version of Hero Pools," details of which will be revealed later.

So what do you think? Are you excited about Hero Bans? Do you think something different? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.