Inside Hazard’s Design: Gameplay, Synergies, and Counters!

Overwatch 2 is stirring up the excitement with the introduction of its newest tank hero, Hazard. As players dive into the game and the inaugural Overwatch Champion Series (OWCS) World Finals, the buzz surrounding Hazard’s unique abilities and gameplay strategies is electric. We got the chance to sit down with lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson and senior game producer Kenny Hudson at DreamHack Stockholm, where they spilled the beans on Hazard’s making, counters, synergies, and what makes this hero such a game-changer!

Unpacking Hazard’s Gameplay

Hazard’s design revolves around a fierce spike motif that enhances his role as both an enemy and ally. From the moment you dive into playtesting, it is evident that his abilities, which include the Jagged Wall and Spike Guard, are crafted to disrupt enemy formations effectively.

According to Dawson, early iterations of these abilities made them feel less threatening. “Really early on, the Jagged Wall was more gooey, but it didn’t feel dangerous. So it got more crystallized and hardened,” he explained. Such design choices ensure players know that interacting with Hazard can be lethal. And the sound design? Oh, it’s crucial—players will get a chilling audio cue that warns them when they’re about to encounter danger!

Hazard’s Role and Playstyle

Hazard is a disruption-focused tank with high mobility, perfect for diving into enemy backlines. His playstyle requires players to master combo techniques, making him a fantastic asset against heroes like Ana and Zenyatta who enjoy a backline safe from bullets.

• Strengths: High mobility, disruptive utility, and strong combos.
• Weaknesses: Vulnerable to crowd-control effects like Ana’s Sleep Dart, which can catch him off guard when he drops his guard.

Hudson noted how certain heroes like Junkrat can throw a wrench in Hazard’s plans. “Anytime you interrupt his flow, it can throw off that combo potential. And it puts you in a bad spot if you don’t know how to get out.” In essence, players need to strategize around Hazard’s abilities while mindful of enemy synergies!

Combos and Synergies that Dominate

With Hazard in your roster, the potential for cool combos is endless! One that has players buzzing features Hazard’s ultimate ability Downpour, paired with Hanzo‘s Dragonstrike. Imagine Hazard firing his ultimate from behind a wall to root everyone in place—then BAM! Hanzo unleashes hell with a dragon swooping in from the other side!

It’s all about creative gameplay. Players are already discovering laugh-out-loud combos in live play sessions, and it’s exciting to see how the community innovates!

The Design Journey Behind Hazard

Diving deeper, the collaborative effort behind Hazard’s design is remarkable. From storytelling and voice lines to gameplay mechanics, every aspect melds together seamlessly. Dawson shared, “Every hero design in Overwatch 2 is about making them feel like the main character in their own video game.” Talk about a holistic gaming experience!

While Hazard’s development faced delays, the extra polish has definitely paid off. Hudson called the time spent on balancing and tuning crucial to ensuring that players enjoy a high-quality hero come the release in Overwatch 2 Season 14.

What’s Next for Hazard?

With player feedback pouring in during the playtest, the Overwatch team is eager to assess responses. Hudson expressed excitement for using player insights to tweak Hazard for the final launch. “We really appreciate just going through and seeing what people like and what needs improvement,” he said.

In the end, players can expect an epic gameplay experience with Hazard, whether they’re teaming up or trying to counter him. The strategies are limitless, and it’s clear that Hazard is set to shake things up in the overwatch universe!

Takeaways

• Hazard represents an exciting addition with a unique skill set.
• Prepare for new strategies to emerge as players learn how to best use Hazard.
• Feedback is vital—players’ voices will shape Hazard’s final form.

Stay tuned to earlygg.com as we continue to bring you the latest updates, interviews, and strategies that will keep you at the top of your game. Don’t miss out on the action as Hazard makes waves in Overwatch 2!