Blossoming Power: New support hero ‘Lifeweaver’ coming to Overwatch 2 in Season 4
Now supports can really do everything.
Lifeweaver was recently revealed by Blizzard as the next hero to join the Overwatch roster. He is set to be the newest support hero, and the fifth addition to Overwatch 2 since the sequel’s launch. According to lead hero designer Alex Dawson, Lifeweaver was designed to be a support hero that ‘won’t require a lot of aim skill to play effectively.’ ‘The aim was to create another support hero that didn’t rely on aim skill,’ he continues. ‘Lifeweaver is designed for players that care a bit more about their own positioning, their game sense- those are the skills they check on more than necessarily aim skill.’
This sort of criteria feels reminiscent of Moira, another support hero that also encouraged less reliance on aim skill. With her attack damage an auto-lock, Moira players can focus more on positioning well, and weaving between her team’s compositions to keep everyone healthy while dealing a healthy dose of damage. However, unlike Moira, it is likely Lifeweaver will pose a challenger for new players, as Dawson suggests the hero will ‘likely have a big learning curve for players to master him.’
Lifeweaver Full Kit and Abilities
Healing Blossom- Left Click
Hold to charge a healing burst. Release to heal a targeted ally.
Thorn Volley- Right Click
Rapidly fire a spread of projectiles
Petal Platform
Throw a platform that springs upwards when stepped on.
Rejuvenating Dash
Dash towards your travelling direction and lightly heal yourself.
Life Grip
Pull an ally to your location, protecting them as they travel.
Tree of Life- Ultimate
Place a tree that instantly heals allies upon sprouting and continues healing periodically as it lives.
Parting Gift- Passive
On death, drop a gift that heals the first person (ally or enemy) that picks it up.
Early Analysis
Based on his kit, Lifeweaver will have great access to both repositioning tools as well as tools that can aid his team to reposition. Life Grip will be an immensely valuable tool for allowing an ally DPS or Tank to overextend with less chance of being punished. With both Rejuvenating Dash and Petal Platform, it will be incredibly difficult to pin him down. Moreover, his kit offers plenty of burst healing, allowing his team to take an incredible amount of damage and offering immense sustain in extended team fights.
Lifeweaver also offers a kit that seems to synergize well with many of the current meta champions, such as Ramattra and Roadhog, as well as Genji. His entry into the scene will likely bring plenty of interesting combos and changes.
Lifeweaver will arrive on April 11, 2023, with Overwatch 2 Season 4.
Image credit: Overwatch 2 // Blizzard Games