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Overwatch 2’s newest hero Lifeweaver is a game-changer for support players

Overwatch 2‘s next hero has officially been announced: The support-class hero Lifeweaver will debut in season 4 of the free-to-play shooter in mid-April. Lifeweaver will be the 37th hero on Overwatch 2’s roster, and the ninth support hero following Kiriko’s release when the game launched in the fall of 2023.

Blizzard has yet to release specific details on Lifeweaver’s abilities or backstory, but players can catch a glimpse of the hero’s playstyle in a short gameplay trailer released today.

Lifeweaver | New Hero Gameplay Trailer | Overwatch 2

In addition to being able to heal allies — presumably with the pink lotus flowers the hero seems to be designed around — Lifeweaver will have several utility abilities that have never been seen before and will surely change the way a match is played. As seen in the trailer, Lifeweaver can conjure a pressure-sensitive petal platform that can lift allies and enemies like an elevator. This will be a massive counter to area-of-effect ultimates like Orisa’s Terra Surge and Reaper’s Death Blossom.

Orisa being lifted up by Lifeweaver's petal platform
An ulting Orisa can be taken out of the play by Lifeweaver. Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lifeweaver also has the ability to save allies from certain doom. Using his Life Grip, Lifeweaver can put a bubble around an ally, and pull them to him. While the obvious use for this ability is pulling a teammate out of a firefight or saving them from falling off the map, players are already brewing up plans to snatch a secretly ulting ally from around the corner into the middle of a crowd of enemies. There’s obvious meme potential here too; who hasn’t wanted to snatch that Solider 76 who is overextending and make him stay with the team?

Get a closer look at Lifeweaver's 'Life Grip' Ability 🍃

This puts a bubble around an ally and pulls them to your location! We hope you use this for good in #Overwatch2 Season 4 😉 pic.twitter.com/6yyE950Iym

— Overwatch Cavalry (@OWCavalry) April 4, 2023

And for his ultimate ability, Lifeweaver can plat a massive “Tree of Life” in the middle of the battlefield that provides healing to surrounding enemies and provides cover as well. It seems like enemies would be able to destroy the tree to counter the ultimate as well.

Like all new heroes released since Overwatch 2 launched, Lifeweaver will be available to purchase outright, obtainable through a series of in-game challenges, or through battle pass completion. Season 4 of Overwatch 2 is set to begin on April 11.

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Sam Hill
Sam Hill is a journalist and the gaming guides editor at Digital Trends. He's also written tech guides for Input and has…
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