Overwatch 2 Season 8 is here and many Overwatch players had been waiting for it to arrive, thanks to the newest Tank hero, Mauga. The action-packed season offers a lot of new contents too apart from the new Tank, with game modes, cool cosmetics, and great hero balance updates overall.
New Tank Hero: Mauga
Mauga is Overwatch’s ferocious new Tank hero. Armed with dual chainguns that spew molten fire, Mauga can shred through enemies with ease. Utilise his devastating abilities like Overrun, where he charges through opponents, and Cage Fight, where he unleashes a flurry of blows in close-quarter combat.
Players could test Mauga for the weekend before his official release and yes, he seemed to be underpowered so the team listened to the feedback and buffed him up. He now has enhanced power (damage) and some Armour as his HP. How is he now? He’s really good, perhaps too good in my opinion. His damage is off the charts and if he has two main healers pocketing him, the enemy team is as good as dead.
I played a lot of Mauga and sure, he has his counters and can be taken down easily if he’s focus fired. But if you let him get too close and do his own thing, you’ll just be as good as dead. The weapon spread has also been reduced this time so he’s much more deadly.
I’m suspecting that he will get a bit of a nerf next because he can wreck the enemy’s tank easily with his DPS.
The Thrill of the Hunt: Battle of the Beasts
This is a unique 4v4 PvPvE experience. You can team up with allies and protect your mighty Grand Beast, a powerful entity that stands as your team’s ultimate weapon. Use teamwork and strategic thinking to defend your Beast while simultaneously coordinating attacks against the opposing team’s Beast. Choose from a diverse range of heroes, including the powerful Mauga, to dominate the battlefield and emerge victorious.
It’s actually a really fun game to play, and possibly one of the best arcade games in Overwatch.
Celebrating the Holidays: Battle of the Beasts & Festive Rewards
From December 6th to 19th AEDT, participate in the Battle of the Beasts and other game modes to unlock a treasure trove of festive rewards. Earn a unique highlight intro for Mauga, a brand-new name card, and a massive 25,000 Battle Pass XP boost to gain a significant head start on unlocking incredible rewards, including the majestic Mythic Grand Beast Orisa skin.
Hard Light Weapon Skins
Blizzard has also introduced Weapon Skins, which is a new way to customise your heroes. To start with, we have the Hard Light theme for Rein, Reaper, and Mercy. These sleek designs with custom visual and sound effects can be equipped with any of these heroes’ skins.
There will be more coming in future seasons.Winter Wonderland: Embrace the Festive Spirit
Embrace the holiday spirit with the return of the beloved Winter Wonderland event, starting December 20th AEDT. Adorn your favorite heroes with stunning new Holiday skins, unlock a free legendary skin of your choice through exciting challenges, and immerse yourself in the joy of returning fan-favorite event modes like Mei’s Snowball Offensive and Yeti Hunt.
Master Your Skills with Hero Mastery Courses
Sharpen your skills and become a master of your favorite heroes with the arrival of new Hero Mastery courses on January 3rd, AEDT. Each week, a new course will be unveiled, featuring Echo, Genji, Mei, D.Va, and Lucio. Hone your abilities through challenging gameplay, overcome obstacles, and earn exclusive cosmetic rewards as you ascend to mastery.
Mischief and Magic: Prop Hunt Returns
Embrace the Year of the Dragon and prepare for hilarious chaos as Prop Hunt makes a triumphant return with a twist! Rogue Kiriko joins the fray with the ability to camouflage herself as various props on the Lijiang Night Market map, forcing hunters to be extra vigilant and strategise their approach. Get ready for laughter, surprise attacks, and the thrill of the hunt starting January 31st, AEDT.
Over 25 New Cosmetics to Earn
Dive into the action and earn a staggering over 25 new cosmetics, including 2 Epic Skins, simply by playing the game. Upgrade to the Premium Battle Pass and unlock a treasure trove of rewards, including the magnificent Mythic Grand Beast Orisa skin. For players seeking the ultimate head start and exclusive rewards, the Ultimate Battle Pass Bundle offers 20 tier skips, stunning skins like Magma Mauga and Wild Tracker Widowmaker, and 2,000 in-game credits to enhance your experience.
Individual Skin Purchases: Flexibility at Your Fingertips
You can now directly purchase individual skins from the Ultimate Battle Pass and Starter Pack bundles using Overwatch Coins in the Hero Gallery. This enhanced flexibility allows you to acquire the skins you desire without needing to purchase the entire bundle. So yes, thank you for listening to the community feedback, Blizzard.
Overwatch 2 Season 8: Call of the Hunt promises an unforgettable experience brimming with thrilling battles, festive cheer, and a plethora of exciting new content. If you haven’t played Overwatch for a while, this is a great time to return and experience the game all over again.
There are also balance changes to the current hero roster which I really like and there will be more to come as I heard they are going to do some rework to Cassidy and Hammond.
