Overwatch 2's new Clash Mode, a five-point capture brawl, is making waves during its trial run, even though it has yet to become a permanent mode. Excitement is building as players anticipate its official launch in Season 11, especially since it's debuting on a reimagined version of a beloved map from the original Overwatch: Hanamura. Overwatch 2's new map, Hanaoka, takes heavy inspiration from Hanamura's Assault layout, which makes perfect sense since it's set just a street away from the original.
With Clash mode becoming a core part of Overwatch 2 in June, speculation is high about future maps. Notably, existing maps from the original Overwatch, particularly those designed for the abandoned 2CP format, could be prime candidates for this new game mode. Hanaoka's very existence is a prime example. As such, maps like Temple of Anubis, Volskaya Industries, Horizon Lunar Colony, and Paris could all be strong contenders for rework.
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Overwatch 2's Next Picks For Clash Mode Are Already Plain To See
Blizzard Is Very Familiar With Reworking Old Maps
Since Overwatch 2's launch in 2022, Blizzard has shown a commitment to refreshing existing maps. This includes reworking Overwatch maps that have had issues, such as difficult choke points, or adapting a location for a new game mode. Horizon Lunar Colony is a perfect example of the latter, since it never returned in the sequel as part of the core map pool, but did serve as a destination for the unique 4v4 Starwatch: Galactic Rescue mode in Season 4.
Despite the controversy surrounding Assault mode in the first Overwatch, fans have remained vocal about their desire to see these iconic maps return in some form. The success of the Starwatch event and enthusiasm around Hanaoka is already proof of this. With some alterations, other Overwatch 2CP maps could be similarly saved.
Interestingly, Team 4 has already spoken about their intention to reuse Assault maps in Overwatch 2. The recent tease of Overwatch 2's Temple of Anubis returning in the Season 10 trailer further fuels speculation that a plan to revive all the classic 2CP locations from Overwatch might already be underway. Expanded versions of maps like Volskaya Industries and Temple of Anubis could do quite well in a five-point capture mode. Even Paris and Horizon Lunar Colony, maps that were infamously removed from the competitive rotation for being one-sided, could fare better in such an environment.
Clash Mode Already Has The Perfect Solution To One Recurring Issue
While new game modes bring exciting possibilities, they often launch with a limited map pool. For instance, over a year and a half since Push mode joined the roster, it still only has a handful of maps to its name:
- Colosseo
- Esperanca
- New Queen Street
- Runasapi (debuting in Season 11)
Similarly, Flashpoint, a three-point capture mode that launched in Season 6, only has two: Suravasa and New Junk City. With some people's sentiment being that Overwatch 2 should focus on its map output over modes, it seems Clash Mode will be able to avoid this problem altogether by relying on a variety of reskinned 2CP maps. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean putting out five new Clash maps right out of the gate, but if timed right, Blizzard could prevent that feeling of "map drought" in future seasons.
Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is Blizzard's free-to-play team-based first-person shooter. The title features some new heroes like Junker Queen and Sojourn, as well as returning favorites.
