Overwatch 2: Are The Tidal Waves Balanced for the Water-Bending Wuyang?

Wuyang’s trial is nearly complete in Overwatch 2. The new support has breathed new life into the role. He is a damage-oriented support, similar to Zenyatta, where most of his healing is supplementary to his kit. Players have enjoyed playing the water-based support, but there are some complaints about its damage output. Many have noted that a support should not have the same damage output as Damage characters.

Overwatch 2 Wuyang Damage Output High?

Wuyang can kill most Damage and Support characters with two orbs. Most of this hinges on a player’s skill and the enemy not receiving healing within the time frame. He also has plenty of burst damage with his primary fire and Guardian Wave combo. But is this problematic?

For the first time in a long time, we have a support that has enough agency to dictate the flow of a game without the help of their team. Supports, overall, have the lowest agency among all three roles. While some Supports have abilities to create agency (Ana Biotic Grenade, and Lucio Amp it Up as examples), many rely on their teammates to utilize them. Wuyang can enable his team through his damage and the burst healing from Guardian Wave and Restorative Stream.

Is it a Balance Issue or a Design Issue?

Wuyang might have too much damage in his kit. That is mainly based on the numbers, and the team has designed him. He also has weaknesses, having little ability to survive dives and rush scenarios. He has more ability than Zenyatta, in the form of a speed boost, but without that cooldown, he is vulnerable. Forcing him out of the fight as a hero like Winston, Tracer, or Venture is not an arduous task. When dealing with dive tanks, he cannot fight back with the same damage potential as a Zenyatta. The ultimate is a great defensive tool, but that often limits its potential. If you try to go aggressive, it places the player in a dangerous position.

Does Wuyang Require Balancing?

Before his official release with Season 18, Wuyang needs adjustments to the numbers in his kit. Perhaps tuning down his damage slightly on the primary fire may be the approach. His healing does not feel oppressive when combined with his damage output. The ultimate, while it is fight-defining, there are ways to counter it. Precise timing is necessary for maximum value. Running headfirst as Wuyang with Tidal Blast is a feast or famine play as opposed to guaranteeing value.