Overwatch 2 Reveals Why Vendetta Is Not a Tank

The air crackled with anticipation. BlizzCon 2025. The crowd was a sea of faces, all eyes glued to the massive screen. We were waiting, breathless, for the reveal of the next Overwatch 2 hero. The rumors had been swirling for months: a new tank, a support with insane healing, maybe even a DPS that could rival Genji in terms of pure, unadulterated speed. Then, she appeared: Vendetta. A figure cloaked in shadows, wielding what looked like… twin energy blades? Everyone assumed, naturally, she was a tank. Her silhouette was imposing, her stance aggressive. But then came the bombshell. The game director, in a move that shocked the entire arena (and my dog, who was watching with me back home), announced: “Vendetta is a DPS hero.” The collective gasp could have powered a small city. So, why isn’t Vendetta a tank? What design choices led Blizzard to classify this seemingly sturdy character as a damage dealer? That’s what we’re here to explore. It’s time to delve into the specifics of her kit, her strengths, her weaknesses, and ultimately, what makes her fit into the DPS role in Overwatch 2.

Let’s be honest, when I first saw her, I thought, “Finally, a tank that can actually do some damage!” I envisioned Vendetta being a bruiser, someone who could soak up damage while dishing it out in equal measure. Imagine her leading the charge, shielding her team, and then unleashing a flurry of energy blades on unsuspecting enemies. The possibilities seemed endless. But, alas, it was not to be. Turns out, looks can be deceiving, and judging a hero by their appearance is a surefire way to be wrong in the ever-evolving world of Overwatch 2. (Remember when everyone thought Echo was going to be a support?) The reveal sparked furious debates online, with players dissecting every pixel of her trailer, searching for clues as to why she ended up in the DPS category.

The initial reaction to Vendetta’s reveal was mixed, to say the least. Some players were excited about the prospect of a new, unique DPS hero, while others were disappointed that she wasn’t filling the tank role, which many feel is currently underrepresented in Overwatch 2. As one anonymous forum user put it, “We need more tanks, not more DPS! It’s always a struggle to find someone willing to play tank in competitive.” Ouch. But, Blizzard had their reasons, and those reasons have now become clear as more gameplay and details about Vendetta have been released. So, let’s dive in, shall we?

Vendetta’s Kit: A DPS Through and Through

The key to understanding why Vendetta isn’t a tank lies in her abilities. Her kit is designed around mobility, burst damage, and flanking – all hallmarks of a strong DPS hero. Let’s break it down:

* Primary Fire: Energy Blades. Vendetta wields two energy blades that deal moderate damage at close range. They have a wide, sweeping arc, making them effective against multiple targets. Think of it like a faster, more agile Reinhardt hammer, but with less raw power.
* Secondary Fire: Shadow Dash. Vendetta dashes a short distance in the direction she’s facing, leaving behind a brief shadow that explodes after a short delay, dealing damage to enemies caught in the blast. This ability is crucial for both engaging and disengaging from fights.
* Ability 1: Phase Shift. Vendetta becomes briefly invulnerable and gains increased movement speed. During this time, she can pass through enemies and barriers. This is her primary survivability tool and allows her to reposition aggressively.
* Ultimate: Soul Harvest. Vendetta unleashes a wave of energy that marks enemies within a certain radius. Marked enemies take increased damage from all sources and leave behind a soul fragment upon death. Vendetta can collect these soul fragments to heal herself and reduce the cooldown of her abilities.

As you can see, her abilities are geared towards dealing damage and creating opportunities for her team. There’s no inherent tanking ability, no shield, no damage mitigation for allies. She’s all about getting in, dealing damage, and getting out.

The Illusion of Tankiness

Okay, so her abilities are DPS-focused. But what about her appearance? She looks like she could take a beating! This is where the “illusion of tankiness” comes into play. Blizzard’s art team did an excellent job of creating a character that looks strong and imposing. Her armor is bulky, her stance is powerful, and her overall design suggests resilience.

However, this is merely visual trickery. While Vendetta may have a slightly higher health pool than some other DPS heroes (say, Tracer or Genji), she doesn’t possess any inherent damage reduction or shielding abilities. She’s reliant on her Phase Shift to avoid damage, which means she’s vulnerable when that ability is on cooldown. A true tank, like Reinhardt or Orisa, can consistently mitigate damage for their team, which Vendetta simply can’t do.

“We wanted to create a character that subverted expectations,” explained lead hero designer, Emily Carter, in a recent interview. “Vendetta’s appearance is intentionally misleading. We wanted players to think she was a tank, only to discover that she’s actually a highly mobile and deadly DPS hero.”

Gameplay and Strategic Role

Vendetta excels at flanking and disrupting the enemy team. Her Shadow Dash allows her to quickly close the distance and engage enemies, while her Phase Shift provides her with a brief window of invulnerability to avoid damage and reposition. Her ultimate, Soul Harvest, can significantly increase her team’s damage output, making her a valuable asset in team fights.

She’s particularly effective against backline supports and squishy DPS heroes. Her mobility allows her to easily bypass the enemy tank and target vulnerable enemies. However, she struggles against heroes with strong crowd control abilities, such as Mei or Sombra, who can interrupt her attacks and prevent her from escaping.

Here’s a breakdown of her strengths and weaknesses:

Strengths:

* High mobility
* Burst damage potential
* Flanking capabilities
* Ultimate can significantly increase team damage
* Effective against squishy targets

Weaknesses:

* Vulnerable to crowd control
* Limited range
* Reliant on Phase Shift for survivability
* Lacks inherent tanking abilities

Balancing the Hero Roles

One of the biggest challenges in Overwatch 2 is balancing the hero roles. The game relies on a 5v5 format, with one tank, two DPS, and two support heroes on each team. Finding the right balance between these roles is crucial for ensuring a fun and competitive experience.

Adding another tank hero would certainly address the concerns of players who feel the tank role is underrepresented. However, it could also lead to longer queue times for DPS players, as there would be fewer spots available for damage dealers. Blizzard has to carefully consider these factors when designing new heroes.

“We are always looking at ways to improve the role balance in Overwatch 2,” said Carter. “We want to make sure that each role is viable and that players have a variety of heroes to choose from. With Vendetta, we felt that she fit best into the DPS category, given her abilities and playstyle.”

Character Design and Lore

Beyond gameplay mechanics, Vendetta’s character design and lore also contribute to her DPS classification. Her backstory paints her as a rogue assassin, driven by vengeance and a thirst for justice. She’s not a protector, she’s a hunter.

Her visual design reflects this. Her dark clothing, masked face, and sharp energy blades all convey a sense of danger and aggression. She’s not someone you want to mess with. This contrasts with the more benevolent and protective designs of many tank heroes, such as Reinhardt or Brigitte.

The Community’s Reaction

Despite Blizzard’s explanation, some players remain unconvinced. There are still those who believe that Vendetta could have been a viable tank hero with a few tweaks to her abilities. They argue that her appearance and overall aesthetic lend themselves more to the tank role than to the DPS role.

However, the majority of the community seems to have accepted Vendetta as a DPS hero. Players are experimenting with different strategies and team compositions to maximize her effectiveness. There are already countless videos online showcasing her potential, and the general consensus is that she’s a powerful and fun addition to the Overwatch 2 roster.

“I was skeptical at first, but after playing her for a few hours, I’m convinced she’s a DPS hero,” said one player on Reddit. “Her mobility and burst damage are insane. She’s definitely going to be a popular pick in competitive.”

Conclusion

Ultimately, Vendetta’s classification as a DPS hero comes down to her abilities, gameplay style, character design, and the overall balance of Overwatch 2. While her appearance may suggest tankiness, her kit is designed around dealing damage and creating opportunities for her team. She’s a highly mobile and deadly assassin who excels at flanking and disrupting the enemy team.

Whether you agree with Blizzard’s decision or not, there’s no denying that Vendetta is a unique and exciting addition to the Overwatch 2 roster. She brings a fresh perspective to the DPS role and offers players a new way to approach the game. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some practice to do. I need to master those energy blades! And maybe convince my dog to stop barking at the screen every time Vendetta uses her ultimate.