Blizzard has been churning out a lot of coverage for their squad-based multiplayer shooter, Overwatch, over the past few weeks. We’ve already had a good look at a handful of characters in action, and so far they all look delightfully unique. Zenyatta looked particularly interesting, but that’s up until I got a good look at Overwatch’s most intriguing character – the British, time-warping heroine Tracer.
Known as Lena Oxton of London before a mysterious plane accident granted her time-twisting powers, Tracer is an energetic, extremely difficult character to lock down in a firefight. She’s able to manipulate time – by either rewinding it and gaining previously owned heath and ammunition, or by bursting forward in a flash to gain new positional advantages.
She’s a sort of teleporter in every sense of the word, and used in the right hands could be an absolutely unstoppable force in the match. Her powers are limited by some cooldowns, and it does seems that the correct strategy is required when using her seemingly overpowered abilities. Tracer is extremely fragile, so too much damage will wipe you from the map in a heartbeat. Knowing when to get out (and misdirecting engagements) seems to be her game – rather than straight up damage from the front.
If her charming voice-overs and rather great design haven’t won you over, then I’m not entirely sure what will. Thankfully Overwatch as a robust roster of varying characters – which we’ll all get to play in a beta later this year.
Last Updated: May 28, 2015
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:02
I prefer McCree
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:06
Although, I can see the appeal of this blinking madhouse of a character
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 09:21
Better not have any lag when you play as her
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:28
OR, the lag will make her even harder to hit/see
Kromas,powered by windows 10.
May 28, 2015 at 09:06
Still prefer watching that reveal trailer more than actually playing this game.
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:10
It would have been interesting to limit the teams to only of each character, but that would bring additional complexity to the game, since you can change your character ingame, so, there is that issue for one
Pariah
May 28, 2015 at 09:20
Honestly, I’d prefer a dota style setup where heroes are unique to a game, so you don’t have 2 of the same. But let’s see what eventually happens, this is still in alpha.
Trevor Matrix
May 28, 2015 at 09:10
Congratulations, gaming world. You have created the most Gender Neutral character yet!
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:13
I also see, that the ‘blink’ location can be predicted, (the one Tracer correctly predicting where the other will ‘rematerialize’ and dropping her), so mayne not too OP?
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 09:16
That’s how the Lord Marshal died in Chronicles of Riddick
*Flies away
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:28
Aye, crappy movie though
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 09:33
First one is still the best, third one is passable
ReaperOfSquirrels
May 28, 2015 at 09:38
I enjoyed all 3 of them… *shug*
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:58
Aye, but the third one would have been a great movie, if you never watched the first
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 10:02
We need a fourth!
Alessandro Barbosa
May 28, 2015 at 09:28
Yeah that was the best part – seeing another Tracer understand her opponent and knowing where she’d appear. Really cool 🙂
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:32
Yeah man, I’m fully on the choo choo here
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 09:14
More time related one liners than Emit Brown could ever make
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:14
Ok, that multi-kill was well done!
Trevor Matrix
May 28, 2015 at 09:15
Are you live tweeting your viewing?
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:28
Don’t deny, you like it!
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:16
AND the play of the match, awesome
Pariah
May 28, 2015 at 09:18
It reminds me of the frantic Q3A/UT days, but with each player’s skills being unique. I’m excited.
The Sten
May 28, 2015 at 09:14
+ 10 to Hype meter
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:16
+50 for me, this game seems awesome
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 09:17
LOL Winston went ape shit…. oh wait
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:18
Haha, oh you
Pariah
May 28, 2015 at 09:17
Damn this looks good.
Admiral Chief's Adventure
May 28, 2015 at 09:19
Blizzard, oh you magnificent thing you!
Hammersteyn
May 28, 2015 at 09:23
The accent the announcer uses for the countdown is nice touch
HairyEwok
May 28, 2015 at 11:04
Cheers luv, the cavalry is here.