Overwatch 2Season 13 is in full swing after last season introduced Juno and a fast-paced dive meta. This season features the highly anticipatedOverwatchxMy Hero Academiacollaboration, 6v6 playtests, and updates to maps like Havana and Dorado. Still, it’s the teaser of the next playable hero that has many excited, as rumors abound regarding their identity.
The first glimpse of the new tank hero forOverwatch 2appeared at BlizzCon 2023. Although Blizzard’s developers didn’t mention the character themselves, sharp-eyed fans spotted a stylized image of a green-haired figure with a metal lower jaw in the tank category during Venture’s gameplay reveal. Almost a year later, it appears that Team 4 is ready to share more details with its eager fans.
Overwatch 2’s New Tank Could Have Been in Development for Over a Decade
Overwatch 2’s In-Game References to the New Tank
TheOverwatch 2Season 13 trailerended with a teaser for the 42nd hero, who isn’t expected until Season 14 based on the traditional release timeline, but they may have a limited time trial near the end of this season. Regardless, the trailer showed the spawn area of Oasis transformed, vandalized, and covered with graffiti alongside purple amethyst-like crystals. Theories suggest that the crystals may be linked to one of the tank’s abilities, possibly as something they grow and then weaponize.
Interestingly, it has now been confirmed that the new hero has a Scottish accent when they say the line, “It’s looking like a revolution.” This, along with the graffiti reading “Phreaks” on the wall, connects as far back as thecanceledProject Titangame. Notably, in the original pitch deck presented to Blizzard and Activision executives, Phreak was one of the first conceptual heroes, featuring abilities like Cannon, Stomp, and Attract.
The new tank’s abilities may differ significantly from their original designs, especially since this kit sounds very similar to Mauga’s. This is particularly relevant given that the original pitch deck had heroes like Pharah initially named Mercy, Cassidy as McCloud, and Echo with a shield.
Phreak’s Appearances in Overwatch Lore Over the Years
During the opening slideshow of the2014Overwatch CinematicTrailer, a figure resembling Phreak can be seen wielding a spiked javelin-like weapon in Paris. With spiky green hair, a punk rock aesthetic that is similar to the Junkers, and an ally whose jacket features the beginning of a word that could read “Phreaks,” several clues suggest this is a version of the same character. Currently, it’s uncertain if Phreak will still be the hero’s name, or if that simply refers to the name of the faction they lead.
The New Tank’s Potential Abilities
In light of these findings, while the character’s overall design may change, the hero may introduce a new crowd control ability to the tank role, similar to the ‘Attract’ mechanic from theProject Titanconcept. Whether this ability will resemble Orisa’s Javelin,Junker Queen’s knife Gracie, Reinhardt’s Earth Shatter, or something else entirely, remains to be seen. The amethysts will likely be a critical part of the tank’s kit, though it remains unclear if they will be linked to primary or secondary fire, a cooldown-based ability, or an ultimate.
Referring to findings related to Moira, which can be seen later in this article, these may be projectile-based munitionssimilar to Hanzo’s arrows or Kiriko’s kunai. The dartboard embedded with a crystal in the bar on New Queen Street supports this idea. Here, players can observe that someone, most likely the new tank, left behind a perfect bullseye.
“The crystals may be projectile-based munitions similar to Hanzo’s arrows or Kiriko’s kunai.”
A Deep Dive Into the “Phreaks” and Moira’s Lab
When Season 13 launched, thechanges to Oasis regardingOverwatch’s new heroappeared in-game as well. These adjustments included the removal of the black spiky sphere, once thought to be ferrofluid, that has been part of Oasis since the map’s launch in 2017. Once seen suspended between the counters, it’s now missing but has left splash marks on the floor. For those who are not as familiar with the hero-shooter’sintricate lore, the Oasis University spawn houses Moira’s Genetic Lab.
Much like thelore buildup preceding Juno, the changes and teasers on Oasis, Havana, and New Queen Street suggest that a new force is on the move. With Oasis bearing the brunt of these alterations, a YouTuber namedVoidWhilerevealed that they translated the emails displayed on the spawn room’s computer screens. According to the logs, the black goo is actually a vanadium isotope.
Another teaser can be unlocked on Circuit Royale by Sombra when interacting with the tablet in the Attacker spawn room. It reveals that an unknown individual going by the letter “M”, possibly Moira, is searching for a target who has been evading capture, and Sombra has been assigned the task. Given the timing of this teaser, it’s likely they’re hunting for the leader of the Phreaks.
The vanadium was initially discovered byVenture’s Wayfinder Society in Petra, but they were uncertain what to make of it and sent it to the geology department in Oasis. However, with the scientists preoccupied with seismic activity along the Red Sea Rift, it was placed in Moira’s Genetic Lab for temporary storage. After examining the vanadium’s properties, Moira moved on to clinical trials for living beings, which likely included and may have led to the creation of the Phreaks. Some of these test subjects may not be human, or may no longer be fully human, as a handful of graffiti depicts mutated animal-type creatures.
Moira’s Experiments on the Phreaks Were Military-Oriented
In email transcripts toGeology Minister Anya al-Shahrani on Oasis, Moira writes “I created a prototype for military use. The value of this isotope as a source of munitions and its ability to enhance human strength has proven to be unparalleled.” This suggests a strong likelihood that the next tank will have super strength. Additionally, since she mentions the material could serve as an efficient energy conductor, the upcoming hero may harness this power alongside the crystals. Other theories include, but aren’t limited to:
Given that Moira’s lab is now trashed, and the vanadium sphere is gone, it appears the Phreaks have either escaped or broke out long ago and returned to take the vanadium. Regardless of the circumstances, due to their disappearance, they’re now a ticking time bomb for Moira and Talon. The experimentation narrative is similar to that ofSigma, who was also experimented on, but it doesn’t look like he or Widowmaker have been freed. Of course, it’s also possible that Team 4 just hasn’t revealed this information yet.
Overall, the Phreaks seem driven by a quest for justice for their group, resemblingRammatra’s motivations with the Omnics. In future lore updates, their storyline may mirror that of Marvel Comics' mutants, who often face unfair treatment and experimentation. Most importantly, with the recent voice line from the Season 13 trailer hinting at an impending revolution, it suggests that the Phreaks are gearing up to rebel against oppressors like Moira and Talon. The graffiti on New Queen Street and Oasis reading “tear it down” and “u can’t hold us” furthers this theory.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
