Jeff Kaplan: 24th hero is "not what you think"

[Tenjen]

maybe its that lady who co-founded Overwatch. The short one whose name escapes me.

[Endus]

Still makes me wonder about the cracked payload.

They're definitely setting up Doomfist, but it may be a long process, like Sombra was.

I think Sombra would have been an even more hilarious release if they created the ARG stuff, and had a way for a code to be submitted at the end, which would trigger the Sombra unlock in-game. And just release all of it, and say the character's out there, if players can figure it out. And just see how long it takes 'em.

I don't really care who the next hero is, as long as it's;

1> Someone with some history already in-game, however scant, and
2> Is a tank and/or healer. Because seriously, we need 2-3 more tanks AND 2-3 more healers before any more offense or defense heroes, unless they want to seriously overhaul the whole game to push the current base 2/2/2 meta back to a 4/1/1 or 3/2/1 meta (numbers are DPS/tanks/heals, FWIW). Because 3-4 DPS, 1-2 tanks, and 1 healer is the only way the current loadout numbers make any sense. Plus, a lot of the meta is rooted around how predictable those heal/tank choices are, given the lack of variability.

Plus, there's plenty of room for archetypes in both they haven't filled;
Melee healer, to fit their "paladin" archetype that bleeds into all Blizzard games, maybe in a customized Crusader suit with a 1h mace or laser sword.
Builder tank, who can build walls. Not as big as Mei's, but with MUCH higher health and duration; the intent is that they temporarily change the battlefield to control sightlines/improve chokes. But can't straight-up block gateways. Could block smaller doorways, though.
Shield-based "healer". Like old Symmetra, but done right. Temp shields can only be applied to one target at a time, provide an extra 50-75 health (up for debate, that's my starting point). Really short CD to prevent it being spammed for infinite health, re-applied shields provide an effective 40-50hp/s (to make it slightly lower than Mercy healing, to offset the advantage of a higher health pool).

There's three ideas off the top of my head, and each provides something unique but not unprecedented.

[Jester Joe]

not saying I called it, butttt-

I'm half expecting another Ana situation.

Expect Sombra since start, Ana dropped out of nowhere.

Now we'll expect Doomfist, but Athena will be dropped out of nowhere.

I called it.
At least part of it. I'm still leaning towards Athena

Is this another case of the following?
"The next Warchief of the Horde is someone you are not expecting!"
"Is it Vol'Jin?"
"Yes...."

They said that before spending an entire expansion building him up.

[Very Tired]

I thought it would be Jeff himself. Waiting on seeing his wrestle ability.

[minteK917]

Need more actual healer since we only got 4, theres enough damage, most of them barely see enough play as is. Doomfist will obviously be a tank, what else would you make Terry Crews be?

How about Athena heals via some form of deployable.

[Skizzit]

The 24th hero is not what you think it's....






JOHN CENA!!!

*Brrrrrrrrrr.... DO do-do Dooooo! *

[Graeham]

Last time Blizzard told us "It's not what you think." Was during MoP when they said the "Warchief will be some one no one expects" so I'm sticking in my Doomfist camp because my trust in blizzard is paper thin.

Heh. A wise stance.

I think it'll be Doomfist but the 'twist' will be that he's an Omnic.

[Tenjen]

Terry crews will be the voice of Athena.

Since Athena narrates OW battles, they will be switching that to Terry Crews as well.

[Kathranis]

There's also the Hazmat suit guy

And a dozen or more other unnamed folks from various pieces of concept art, cinematic stills, and the cancelled First Strike comic.



Not to mention a handful of other potential characters in various in-game posters.

[Mormolyce]

Doomfist is literally the only lead we have, so if it isn't him then it's a character we've probably never heard of.

Unless it's one of those random pictures from the Recall cinematic, but we have no lore on those guys.

[Soulwind]

Hazmat guy might have become Mei (flamethrower/debuffing).

Athena is possible. She's between Tracer and Mercy in one of those. We know her name and alignment, which is more than we can say about Doomfist the third.

Red robot was in the original artwork, and he appeared again in Winston's cinematic. Might be a very early concept of D.Va's mech.

Gray-haired girl and her robot companion are right in the front of that Overwatch comic cover. I don't believe we know who they are?

[Kathranis]

Hazmat guy might have become Mei (flamethrower/debuffing).

Doesn't seem likely.



Mei's original concept design is on the bottom right here, and hazmat guy is presumably the one to the left of early Winston.

[micwini]

The next hero is bob and he will shoot lightning out of his ass

[Plutarch78]

Probably another LBGTQIA/gender-fluid character who happens to be a muslim and a refugee with a anti-trump sticker on "ze" weapon.


This is all sarcasm BTW.

[ThatsOurEric]

Terry crews will be the voice of Athena.

Since Athena narrates OW battles, they will be switching that to Terry Crews as well.

Stop getting my hopes up damn you! D:

[ro9ue]

I'm sure whatever it is, it will be awesome.

[Tenjen]

not "what" you think rather than "who"?

[Very Tired]

not "what" you think rather than "who"?

Maybe a hint they will be an omnic.

That and Jeff is a robot racist.

[Sky High]

at least make it be a tank. PLEASE.

[Melsiren]

Heh. A wise stance.

I think it'll be Doomfist but the 'twist' will be that he's an Omnic.

Know what, I'm joining you in that camp.

The hint they released is supposed to be a 11-year-old robotics prodigy from Numbani. The Doomfists have been from Numbani... what if that kid made an Omnic Doomfist, as the fourth. Omnic Doomfist, that's it I'm double downing and holding here.