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Blizzard is contemplating the introduction of a highly sought-after feature in Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode, although its arrival is expected to take some time.
Stadium has made a significant impact since its launch in Season 16, quickly capturing the attention of many players eager to climb the competitive ladder and experiment with creative hero builds.
However, like all major updates, this new mode has its share of teething issues. A primary concern among players is the dominance of certain characters, which has led to discussions about implementing a hero bans feature.
OW2 Developers “Interested” in Introducing Hero Bans to Stadium
In a recent Reddit AMA, developers addressed inquiries regarding the potential for hero bans to mitigate unbalanced team compositions.
Test Analyst Daniel Duffin pointed out that the current roster of 17 heroes in Stadium makes the addition of hero bans challenging at this moment.
“Implementing hero bans is still a relatively new system within Overwatch, and given Stadium’s limited roster, it could feel constricting,” he remarked. “We might revisit the option of hero bans when the hero selection expands significantly.”
Senior Systems Designer Connor Kou also expressed enthusiasm for the feature, acknowledging its potential benefits for gameplay and team dynamics.
“We recognize that introducing a hero draft could positively influence the Stadium experience. It offers intriguing possibilities for team compositions and the evolving meta. We are keen to explore this further!”
While the developers seem committed to adding this feature eventually, the timeline remains uncertain as new heroes are gradually integrated into the game.
New characters, such as Freja and Aqua, are slated to join the roster in mid-season updates, with Freja expected to be available in the upcoming mid-Season 16 patch.
Legacy characters, including Bastion and Sigma, are also on the way, though their rollout will depend on the ongoing need for balance in gameplay.
Therefore, while the interest in hero bans reflects a forward-thinking approach, players may need to wait some time—potentially months or even years—before seeing such a feature implemented in Stadium.
Source
www.dexerto.com