Overwatch players explain why hero pools could be a good thing
Blizzard EntertainmentEver since Overwatch Director Jeff Kaplan announced the “Hero Pools” feature coming to the game, its community has been split on whether or not it’s what the title needs.
A number of Overwatch pros and community members have already come out to explain why they think Hero Pools aren’t necessarily the play for the popular team-based shooter.
However, there are some in the Overwatch community who think the new setup will actually help competitive play in the long run.
Retired Houston Outlaws DPS Jacob ‘JAKE’ Lyon said that personally, he was looking forward to the kind of play hero pools in Overwatch could produce.
“Personally, I love that aspect of Overwatch, where you pick crazy strats and you execute wild stuff that other teams didn’t think would work, but you understand how to make it work,” JAKE reflected. “I think the Hero Pool will make that happen a lot more often, instead of just when a new patch hits.”
“You can never really rest on your laurels and be like ‘oh we’re great at GOATS, we’ll just keep grinding this,’ that doesn’t exist anymore, and I’m happy about that,” he continued. “As a viewer, as a fan, I’m happy for that. As a player yeah, it’s a lot, but it’s also a lot for every player.”
I don't mind the idea of Hero Pools – interesting idea. I like working on the minor details in an attempt to perfect a comp, but I also enjoy pushing creativity/chaos.
My main concern is the 1 week notice. We'll see how it plays out, but adaptability will be rewarded.
— Aaron Atkins (@Aero_OW) January 30, 2020
Dallas Fuel Head Coach AAron ‘Aero’ Atkins also claimed that he didn’t mind Hero Pools, and even thought it could be an “interesting idea.”
“I like working on the minor details in an attempt to perfect a comp, but I also enjoy pushing creativity/chaos,” Aero wrote. “My main concern is the 1 week notice. We’ll see how it plays out, but adaptability will be rewarded.”
Bro honestly this shit is crazy, for better or for worse blizz just put their balls on the table and stabbed it with a knife trying to avoid the major veins.
— Dogman (@DusttinBowerman) January 30, 2020
Finally, Atlanta Reign pro Dusttin ‘Dogman’ Bowerman compared the “Hero Pool” to what sounds like a colorful line from the intro of Wu-Tang Clan’s “Method Man”.
However Hero Pools end up working out for the Overwatch League and the game’s wider audience, it certainly will be a change to what players are used to up to now.
What do you think about the divisive decision, and how do you think this will affect competitive Overwatch going forward?