Exciting news for gamers! Overwatch 2’s newest hero, Wuyang, the water-bending support character, is launching in just a few weeks. His arrival has support players buzzing with excitement about the potential he brings to the game.
Recently, I had the opportunity to join a group interview with several OW2 developers, including senior game producer Kenny Hudson. We delved into Wuyang’s backstory and inspiration, as well as his gameplay abilities ahead of the highly anticipated hero reveal this weekend.
Wuyang’s Unique Abilities
Let’s take a closer look at Wuyang’s toolkit and what he brings to the table as a healer:
| Ability | Description | Input |
|---|---|---|
| Xuanwu Staff (Primary Fire) | Unleash a damaging water orb. Hold to steer its trajectory and enhance its explosion. | LMB |
| Restorative Stream (Alternate Fire) | Cast a healing stream on an ally. Hold to manually heal at an increased rate, using resources. | RMB |
| Guardian Wave | Send forth a water wave that boosts healing for allies and pushes back foes. | E |
| Rushing Torrent | Harness water to enhance movement speed and jump higher. | LShift |
| Tidal Blast (Ultimate) | Shield yourself or an ally with water that detonates after a brief moment, healing massively and knocking back enemies. | Q |
How Does Wuyang Enhance Team Play?
Wuyang’s abilities are designed to synergize with other heroes. For instance, his ability Restorative Stream pairs well with Ana, amplifying her healing capabilities and effectively doubling healing output when used alongside her grenade. Also, Lúcio complements Wuyang, as their speed boosts work seamlessly together.
Restorative Stream functions as a passive healing method, allowing healing without requiring line-of-sight, similar to Zenyatta’s orb but with its unique advantages. This feature makes it easier for dive heroes like Doomfist to operate effectively in the back line, while Wuyang can deal damage from a distance.
What Are Wuyang’s Strengths in Team Fights?
Wuyang’s primary fire, Xuanwu Staff, boasts a distinct “cornerstone mechanic” which enables players to guide its trajectory, inflicting increased damage while adding splash damage akin to a Pharah rocket. The Restorative Stream further encourages players to remain more active during engagements.
Guardian Wave could be considered Wuyang’s standout ability, creating a dynamic impact in team fights. This ability not only provides increased healing to allies but simultaneously pushes enemies away, making it a tactical choice in contested areas.
How Can You Counter Wuyang?
If you find yourself facing Wuyang, it’s essential to be aware that crowd control abilities pose a significant challenge for him. As Hudson noted, being put to sleep while trying to unleash his ultimate can make heroes like Ana particularly troublesome for Wuyang’s effectiveness.
Wuyang’s Mobility and Dueling Potential
When it comes to mobility, Wuyang has tools to evade dive heroes effectively. Guardian Wave can give him a push away from enemies, while Rushing Torrent allows for a speedy getaway. However, his primary fire’s damage output is relatively low, which may limit his effectiveness in one-on-one duels.
As we await the hands-on experience with Wuyang during the trial from August 14 to 18, before his full release on August 26, the excitement surrounding this hero continues to grow.
What can you expect from Wuyang’s gameplay mechanics? With his unique abilities and capabilities to support teammates, he is truly set to shake up team dynamics in Overwatch 2.
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