After a player’s unexpected death near a healer, a proposed critical health icon could aid Support heroes in Overwatch 2.
A suggestion in Overwatch 2 seeks a critical health icon customized to assist Support heroes with the game’s UI. Since the game’s launch, the roles of Tank, Support, and Damage heroes have been distinct, but this player’s idea could significantly enhance the experience for Support heroes.
Overwatch 2 inherited many fundamental aspects from its predecessor, including the distinct roles each hero embodies. Tanks absorb damage, Damage heroes whittle down enemy health, and Support heroes bolster allies’ health. While heroes may undergo balance changes impacting their role effectiveness, consistent roles like Reinhardt’s tanking and Mercy’s healing remain dependable. Meme3ssar on Reddit suggested a UI alteration to assist healers by providing a vital visual notification for gameplay ease.
Sharing an image from Overwatch 2’s Ana perspective on the Dorado map, Meme3ssar highlighted red plus icons flanking Ana’s view with no visible allies in front or below. These icons signify low-health allies without necessitating a call for healing in the chat. This proposed feature aims to reduce chat spam by enabling healers to identify allies in critical need of healing. While the current icons lack distinction based on health severity, there’s potential for Blizzard to refine them, making the most critical cases more apparent.
The idea stemmed from a match experience where the player perished despite standing behind a healer for nearly 10 seconds.
Reflecting on the scenario:
Meme3ssar suggested that the healer might have been unaware of their critical health status. While the chat feature exists for healing notifications, its overuse or misuse by players, regardless of their health status, can complicate a healer’s decision-making process. The proposed critical health icon could offer clear guidance to Support heroes on whom to prioritize, potentially benefiting heroes beyond the Support role.
As Overwatch 2 remains subject to Blizzard’s ongoing updates:
The addition of quality-of-life features like the proposed critical health icon could significantly improve Support and Tank player experiences. Addressing the stress and decision-making challenges faced by healers and tanks could lead to a more balanced and enjoyable gameplay environment.
