Overwatch 2 is ready to welcome a new addition to its hero roster! Blizzard Entertainment has started teasing a new character, codenamed “Phreak” for Season 14, set to release later in 2024. Let’s dive into what we know about this mysterious new hero and the clues that have surfaced.
A Scottish Revolution
“It’s lookin’ like a revolution,” were the words declared in a Scottish accent in the Overwatch 2 Season 13 trailer. The video featured colorful graffiti in the Oasis University spawn room and the word “Phreak” boldly spelled out.
The word, or name “Phreak” is not at all new to the community. Early concept art from the original Overwatch’s development phase shows a character named Phreak, who sports a punk rock look.The concept art depicts a large man wearing a green mask with similarly green spiky hair, rousing fans’ expectations of the new Overwatch hero’s appearance.
Get a potential first look at the next #Overwatch2 Tank Hero, Phreak 🎨
These concepts predate the launch of Overwatch, so his ability kit may be updated before his in-game trial! pic.twitter.com/1qGvTEERr3
— Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) October 10, 2024
However, while the punk rock aesthetic was most likely retained, the character design may have evolved over time, and the visual direction may have taken some different turns. We may be in for a nice surprise with Phreak’s official introduction!
Speculated Role: Tank Hero
Not long ago in BlizzCon 2023, fans spotted a character with spiky green hair in the tank section of a hero select screen. Connecting the dots suggest that this is the same hero from the Phreak concept art and that he may be joining Overwatch 2’s roster of tank heroes. Given that the last two hero additions were damage and support characters, a new tank makes sense for game balance.
Abilities and Playstyle
The original concept art for Phreak listed three potential abilities: Cannon, Stomp, and Attract. Like the character design, these as well may have changed during the course of development. Yet, it’s still worth checking out for insights into the hero’s official abilities and playstyle. Fans speculate that the Attract ability in particular may introduce the crowd control mechanic into the tank role.
No Release Date Yet for “Phreak”
Blizzard Entertainment has not yet announced anything about this new character’s official release date. The teaser and unconfirmed leaks are all we have for now. However, we can make some guesses. Season 14 is expected to begin in December 2024. Based on recent hero releases, Blizzard may offer an early access weekend for Phreak in November, allowing players to test him before the official launch.
Also keep an eye out for potential reveals and updates regarding: the official character art and backstory, ability showcase, design philosophy, and teaser interactions with other heroes. It is likely that Blizzard will start rolling out these announcements as we approach Season 14.
Relevance to the Lore
Some fans speculate that “Phreaks” might be more than just the hero’s name—it could represent a new faction or group within the Overwatch universe. This theory seems to be supported by additional artwork showing characters wearing jackets with “Phreaks” written on them during scenes of civil unrest in Paris.
The revolutionary theme and punk aesthetic of Phreak could tie into existing Overwatch lore. It may relate to ongoing conflicts between humans and Omnics or other societal issues within the game’s world. This new hero could bring a fresh perspective to the ongoing narrative.
Soon to Stand Out
With that clever wordplay of a name and ideas of rebellion surrounding this new character, it seems the Overwatch 2 community will soon love this punk rock misfit. There’s already enough hype about the fact that he might be Scottish, bringing good representation and adding to the game’s diversity.
While many details about Phreak remain shrouded in mystery, the teasers have successfully piqued interest in Overwatch 2’s next hero, and fans are sure to eagerly await his release. As the coming weeks go by, we expect to receive more information about Phreak, and the revolution he seems to lead.
