Every character introduced into Overwatch 2 always brings something unique to the table. Kiriko introduced a protect ability that blocks full CC and damage for a brief window, Junker Queen introduced bleed damage to the game, and Ramattra brought a multi-form tank that can switch between with relative ease. In the case of Lifeweaver, Overwatch 2 looks to dip its toe into utility with some mixed results.
How Lifeweaver Brings a Fresh Playstyle to Overwatch 2
Before we dig in, let’s take a look at Lifeweaver’s kit and what you can expect when playing him:
- Passive: Parting Gift
- On death, drop a gift that heals the first enemy or ally to pick it up.
- First Ability: Petal Platform
- Throw a platform that springs upwards when stepped on.
- Second Ability: Rejuvenating Dash
- Dash towards your traveling direction and lightly heal yourself.
- Third Ability: Life Grip
- Pull an ally to your location, protecting them as they travel.
- Ultimate: Tree of Life
- Place a tree that instantly heals allies upon sprouting and continues healing periodically as it lives.
Functionally, Lifeweaver sits comfortably as an off-healer. He has a mix of damage and healing, with that healing often being very little (excluding Tree of Life). This means he shouldn’t be paired with something like a Lucio or Zen and is much better suited for either Ana or Moira to provide stronger main heals.
With all that being said, how does he feel to play? As is the Overwatch standard, far different than any other healer in the roster. His method of healing isn’t too different from someone like Kiriko functionally, and his main form of damage feels like a rapid-fire version of Echo’s primary fire. From an ability standpoint, he has far more utility than other healers can provide, making for an interesting way of controlling the battlefield.
When it comes to solo play, Petal Platform is best suited towards providing yourself high ground or disorienting your opponents. The ability to get some form of high ground on command is invaluable, thanks to the natural cover you get from the floor of the platform. That being said, it can be destroyed, meaning you’ll be gambling your life in hopes the enemy will remain focused on the low-ground targets.
Its other best use comes in handling aerial characters like Pharah and Echo. These characters find themselves with air superiority a lot of the time, so removing that element could prove beneficial if your team has a hitscan like Cassidy or Soldier: 76. That will require some teamwork, which leads perfectly into how Lifeweaver will likely struggle in most areas of play.
Like Wrecking Ball, Lifeweaver’s kit seems far better suited to a coordinated team than he does when solo queuing. Abilities such as Life Grip and Petal Platform need coordinated team members to see their full effect, or they could more often be seen as trolling than anything. You might accidentally Life Grip your Reinhardt after he’s hit a massive Earthshatter, for example. His Tree of Life furthers this, having plenty of range but requiring protection to see it blossom. With all this said, he’s likely to see a lot more success in high-rank play and professional matches where people fully understand his kit.
Related: All Skins for Ramattra in Overwatch 2 – Detailed
Other than those two abilities raising some concerns, Lifeweaver seems like he’ll be fairly balanced out of the gate. Admittedly, Life Grip could use a little tuning to its range, but he has clearly defined strengths and weaknesses. He’ll find some great potential when his team can prevent flankers from focusing him down, though will struggle against divers like Genji and Tracer. He’ll even make the job of dispatching him harder, thanks to the double-edged sword that Parting Gift provides. Time will tell how the community shapes him, but I’m interested to see what the community does with his lotus in their palm.
Lifeweaver releases with Season 4 of Overwatch 2 on April 11. While you’re here, be sure to check our piece on the community’s immediate reaction to the newest rising star.
