Illari, Overwatch 2's latest addition, has rapidly gained popularity among players. Blizzard has now disclosed the date when Illari will be eligible for ranked PvP matches, exciting the community. Illari's remarkable combat skills and distinctive toolkit have garnered significant attention from Overwatch 2's support player base. While her performance aligns with the developers' expectations, a recent blog post hints at the possibility of balance refinements for Illari in the future.
After a period of anticipation, Illari was officially unveiled as Overwatch 2's 38th hero, shortly before her debut in the game coinciding with the launch of Season 6. This release, coupled with the expansive Invasion update, marks a significant milestone for Overwatch 2. The update introduces long-awaited PvE content, the new PvP mode Flashpoint, and Illari herself. Armed with a versatile rifle capable of both damage-dealing and healing, an automated healing turret, and a powerful Ultimate ability with massive area damage potential, Illari brings a unique blend of support and offensive capabilities to the table.
The latest entry in the Director's Take blog series from Blizzard confirms the upcoming changes to Illari's gameplay and her entrance into competitive play. Illari is set to join Overwatch 2's competitive mode on Thursday, August 24. However, the developers are actively working on fine-tuning her abilities, specifically her Healing Pylon and Ultimate abilities, before her competitive debut.
According to game director Aaron Keller, the team aims to strike a balance between making Illari formidable yet not overpowering upon her release. Keller emphasizes that Illari's strength lies in her support and healing attributes, which prevent her from dominating in terms of damage output and positioning.
Aside from Illari's impending arrival and the Invasion update, the blog post delves into the new Flashpoint mode. This mode introduces two exclusive maps and seeks to invigorate Overwatch 2's PvP dynamics. Despite this innovation, community discussions have been drawn toward other enticing features, relegating Flashpoint to a lesser spotlight.
Blizzard welcomes community input regarding the Flashpoint mode, expressing a commitment to enhancing its appeal. The blog post reveals that discussions are ongoing regarding when to introduce Flashpoint to ranked play, but an exact timeline has yet to be established.
