Overwatch 2 is known for having one of the most diverse casts in gaming, which applies to their personalities just as much as their ethnic backgrounds. Moira is a corrupt scientist who cares very little for other people, Tracer is an upbeat hero who strives to help everyone, and Hanzo is a neutral figure trying to make peace with his past decisions. Of all the personalities in the world of Blizzard’s hero shooter, Brigitte’s cheeriness surpasses even Mei and Tracer, though Overwatch 2 fans could soon see her being forced to grow up a bit.
Brigitte is the daughter of the damage hero Torbjorn, and though she is far taller than her father, she lacks his battle experience. At 23 years of age, she needs plenty of practice to become the hero she is hoping to be, so her father sent her off to be Reinhardt’s squire. Torbjorn’s friend and fellow Overwatch member has passed on a shield and some knightly values, allowing Brigitte to combine her father’s tinkering and mentor’s combat skills to make her the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, her teacher could simply be passing on his knowledge before it’s too late, as it is easy to imagine a scenario where Reinhardt dies in the sequel.
Brigitte as Reinhardt’s Successor in Overwatch 2
Though Torbjorn has a large family to provide for and will likely retire safely to spend time with them, Reinhardt has nobody apart from Brigitte. As such, he could have no reason to fear death, seeking a glorious end like his comrade Balderich. Reinhardt could sacrifice himself to save Brigitte or some of his closest friends like Mercy, realizing that he has lived a full life and being content with the idea of dying to save others. It is unclear if any characters will meet their end during Overwatch 2’s PvE campaign, but if one is going to, Reinhardt seems like the perfect option.
Though he has accepted Winston’s Recall and is shown in Overwatch 2’s Zero Hour short, there is good reason to believe this could be his last fight, as the loud, battle-loving German is quickly getting up there in age. Blizzard has not shied away from highlighting the seniority of the 61-year-old hero, as voice lines reference him falling asleep in his suit or highlight his forgetfulness. Additionally, Mercy has mentioned wanting him to slow down and stop fighting, as she is clearly starting to get concerned about her old friend refusing to put down his hammer.
With Reinhardt training Brigitte and teaching her everything he knows, it seems like he has always planned for her to carry on his legacy. This is shown through her familiar armor and similar - albeit smaller - shield. If Reinhardt does die, Brigitte’s experience using a personal shield and mace could translate perfectly to Reinhardt’s shield and hammer, letting her assume his role as a tank and protector for Overwatch.
Considering that Overwatch 2’s PvP gameplay is not canon, Blizzard would be free to kill off Reinhardt without worrying about its impact on the current multiplayer experience. Further, if an Overwatch 3 does happen, or another campaign is added for Overwatch 2’s PvE mode, Brigitte could assume Reinhardt’s role fully. She could use his exact same kit with Firestrikes, Earthshatter, and so on, while a new character could serve as her squire and take on her original kit. Though this would take some work on Blizzard’s end and require skins to be redesigned to suit the new models, it could be a big change that adds stakes to the story and shows that the characters are not immortal.
Reinhardt’s death could serve many purposes in Overwatch 2. It could make a villain like Ramattra more despicable and formidable, it could motivate Brigitte to become an even better hero, and it could bring Reinhardt’s story full circle. As his animated short suggests, Reinhardt is all about honor and glory, and a big death during battle seems like something he would find appealing. Brigitte witnessing his sacrifice could work wonders for her character, with Blizzard able to take her story in a bold new direction from then on.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
