Seven years later, Overwatch 2 players are still wondering about
Reaper’s elusive ability. Discover the untold story behind its
disappearance and its impact on the game
Players of Overwatch 2 are making sure that Blizzard doesn’t forget about a Reaper ability that has been teased for seven years but hasn’t yet made it into the game. Since its beta in 2015, Overwatch has undergone significant changes, transforming into a completely different game. Along the way, several original heroes have received major reworks to their kits, including the infamous Reaper.
In the early beta days, Reaper possessed the ability to collect healing orbs after eliminating an enemy. However, as the game progressed, his kit underwent revisions, resulting in the introduction of a healing passive. This evolution highlights the dynamic nature of heroes in Overwatch, as they constantly adapt and change over time.
Before the release of Overwatch, the game was first unveiled through an exciting animation that showcased a fierce battle between Winston and Tracer against Widowmaker and Reaper. Astute players immediately noticed a missing ability in Reaper’s arsenal. A Reddit thread on the Overwatch subreddit captured the community’s attention, with a player playfully questioning when the grenade launcher seen in the cinematic would be implemented in the game.
The community took this opportunity to engage in playful speculation, jokingly suggesting that the canceled talent trees would bring the long-awaited ability. Others also pointed out that the animation showed Winston throwing Tracer into the air, leading to speculation about a potential “Tracer catapult” in the game.
Realistically, it is doubtful that Reaper will receive such a drastic update to his abilities, particularly one involving a grenade launcher. Overwatch’s development team focuses on maintaining hero balance and gameplay integrity. However, elements of Reaper’s scrapped grenade launcher concept found their way into other heroes.
In an old Developer Update, the team casually mentioned how some of Reaper’s discarded abilities were repurposed for other characters like Junkrat and Roadhog. This demonstrates Blizzard’s resourcefulness in salvaging and repurposing game mechanics, ensuring that no good ideas go to waste.
Despite the unlikelihood of Reaper’s abilities being updated his legacy lives on in the Overwatch universe. The concept of a grenade launcher continues to influence other heroes, offering players different playstyles and tactical options.It is evidence of the complexity and versatility of Overwatch’s hero design.
Since the beginning of the beta, Overwatch 2 has advanced significantly, and the game’s characters have undergone several changes. While Reaper’s missing grenade launcher ability remains a playful curiosity for the community, it is unlikely to become a reality. However, the impact of Reaper’s legacy can still be felt through the abilities of other heroes.
