Blizzard releases major hint about Overwatch’s next character (update)

The Overwatch team just posted a major possible hint on Twitter about the next character coming to the hero-based shooter, further supporting player theories that a new sniper-support class is coming to the game.

The tweet shows a new blueprint for a weapon designed by turret master Torbjörn that incorporates the biotic technology used in Mercy’s Caduceus Staff and Soldier: 76’s Biotic Field healing ability. The weapon is a "prototype biotic rifle" that appears to offer its user the ability to heal allies from a distance — and potentially cause damage as well, if Mercy’s concerns are valid.

"As discussed, this is the proposed rifle that could be equipped by medics in the field," Torbjörn says in a message sent to Jack "Soldier: 76" Morrison and Gabriel "Reaper" Reyes. "Despite what my esteemed colleague will surely suggest, the application of her biotic technology is only intended to be used for healing."

"While Torbjörn has, as ever, put forth a very clever design for his latest weapon," Dr. Angela "Mercy" Ziegler responds, "I would like to remind everyone that my intention when agreeing to the development of different biotic delivery mechanisms was to save the lives of Overwatch agents and others in need of medical aid. With this latest proposal, it is clear to me that we are on the slippery slope to modifications that will inevitably result in a weaponized version of this technology: something that I have been completely opposed to from the beginning."

Fans have speculated that a new sniper, who may go by the name Sombra (the Spanish word for "shadow"), is coming to Overwatch, based on hints included in the game and leaked details from a making-of video posted by GameSpot.

Reaper apparently has close ties to Sombra. One of his voice lines is "Where’s Sombra when you need her?" and hints about her existence are hidden in the Mexican map Dorado. Sombra may also be the codename of Ana Amari, an Egyptian sharpshooter and the mother of another Overwatch character, Pharah.

Blizzard has said that new heroes for Overwatch are in active development and that the company plans to release them for free. Game designer Jeff Kaplan recently said in an interview with Eurogamer that additional Overwatch heroes will be added one at a time in an effort to maintain game balance.

Update: The official Brazilian Overwatch Twitter account adds a bit more detail to the mystery: "A. Amari" is also listed as a recipient on the message to Morrison and Reyes.

Histórico de comunicações de Ziegler, A. – Arquivo do Overwatch 00231 – Classificação de Segurança: CONFIDENCIAL pic.twitter.com/4BBGdmiKBi

— Overwatch (@OverwatchBrasil) July 6, 2016

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