Highlights
- Overwatch 2's Season 7 brings exciting updates including long-awaited reworks to Roadhog and Sombra, as well as a new Control map called Samoa.
- The Samoa map features three unique environments and offers opportunities for Lucio players to utilize wall-riding and environmental kills, especially near the molten core pit.
- The addition of the Samoa map hints at the potential introduction of a new tank character, Mauga, in a future season of Overwatch.
As October 10 draws nearer, so does Overwatch 2's "Rise of Darkness"-themed season. Season 7 of Overwatch 2 will have a lot of riding on its shoulders after the various updates from Season 6, but there's still a lot to look forward to. For instance, the long-awaited Roadhog and Sombra reworks will be making their debut, alongside a brand-new Control map called Samoa.
The Samoa-themed map was fully revealed at the Overwatch 2 Grand Finals, alongside its three different environments: Beachpoint, Volcano, and Downtown. Samoa's introduction to the hero-shooter makes it the seventh Control map in the game following maps like Oasis, Lijiang Tower, and Ilios. Not only did Blizzard give its audience a tour of each of these locations, but it also brought several content creators and professional players together to compete in a showcase match for the first time. Interestingly, one area in particular should be incredibly enticing for Lucio players.
Overwatch 2's Samoa Map Is Home to a Lethal Volcano
Aaron Keller, Overwatch 2's current game director, commented that each location in Samoa was curated by a different level designer, which explains why they all have unique atmospheres. While there are undoubtedly several spots that are advantageous for certain characters, the Volcano is already looking to be prime real estate for Lucio. Not only are there several wall-riding locales, but the map is also home to a molten core pit.
Environmental eliminations are a large part of the Lucio mafia's agenda and this map may provide the opportunities they are looking for. Lucio's Soundwave ability, more commonly referred to as his boop, will pose a large threat to unsuspecting victims who find themselves standing too close to the lava. As such, heroes without a kit to save them from this, such as Ana, should be extra careful with their positioning.
Of course, Lucio isn't the only character that has a knock-back ability. For example, Illari's Outburst ability can launch her in the direction she's looking at while also pushing enemy players away from her. Meanwhile, quite a few tank and damage heroes can send people off the map as well if they time their abilities right. Pharah's Concussive Blast may come in handy here in addition to Roadhog's Chain Hook, Reinhardt's Charge, etc. However, if some characters find themselves struggling around the molten core, Lifeweaver could be a viable option to save teammates from potential deaths.
Samoa is also an exciting addition to the Overwatch 2 roster because of its ties to Mauga, a character that's been rumored to be coming to the game as a tank in a future season. Mauga was a prominent part of Baptiste's former ties to Talon, but not much is known about what his in-game kit could be. A new tank isn't expected to release until Season 8, but Blizzard seems to be setting up his debut after giving fans a sneak peek at what's speculated to be his room on the Samoan map.
In addition to the new map, Season 7 of Overwatch 2 is collaborating with Diablo 4 just in time for Halloween. What exactly this partnership has in store is still to be determined. Hopefully as Season 6 wraps up, Blizzard will release more details.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
