Highlights
- Overwatch 2 is expected to release a new tank hero soon, and the frontrunner for this release is Mauga, a character with a rich backstory.
- The addition of Mauga to Overwatch 2 could greatly impact another hero, Baptiste, as the two have a complicated history that involves betrayal and conflict.
- It is anticipated that Mauga's debut will bring forth a confrontation between him and Baptiste, potentially resulting in an intense rivalry or a resolution to their past grievances. The outcome of this conflict could be explored through in-game voice lines, cinematics, or other narratives.
Overwatch 2 has been pumping out new heroes every season and there has been a fair distribution in terms of roles. So far, the group of brand-new characters includes one damage hero, two tanks, and three supports. It seems that Blizzard won’t be adding more damage heroes soon, as the current roster is already stacked. So, it’s a safe bet that a new tank character could be coming soon to the game, and the best candidate for this release is a hero they’ve been teasing since the first game: Mauga. Apart from adding flavor to the tank role, this potential hero’s debut may also benefit another Overwatch 2 character.
Season 7 recently started and according to Overwatch 2’s 2023 roadmap, a new tank hero should be just around the corner. The plan for Season 7 and beyond also promises other new content like a collaboration event, control map, and winter event. Heroes like Sombra and Roadhog will even get reworked, so they play better in the current game. Those looking for new lore are also in for a treat with the new story missions, a codex, and cinematic debuts. The name for the upcoming control map, which was also teased in the roadmap, was recently revealed to be "Samoa," Mauga's home country.
Overwatch 2’s Lore Could Shed Some Light into Mauga and Baptiste’s Dark Past
Baptiste is one of the heroes who will benefit greatly from Mauga’s debut because the two have a storied past. According to Baptiste's Overwatch Origin Trailer and official hero page, he joined the Caribbean Coalition as a combat medic during the Omnic Crisis. Baptiste had issues finding work that fit his unique set of skills, so he turned to the mercenary group Talon.
It was here that he befriended Mauga, a Samoan heavy assault specialist, who he went on extraction missions with. Baptiste soon found out that Talon stoked conflict to respond to and profit from them. When a mission to assassinate a cartel kingpin resulted in civilian casualties, the combat medic realized he had enough and fled into the night. Mauga blocked his path and confronted him about his decision, but ultimately chose to let him go.
Four years later, during the events of the What You Left Behind short story, they found themselves in almost the same situation when Baptiste was forced to participate in a Talon operation. This time, Mauga was determined to get Baptiste back to Talon, even if it meant injuring him. To escape, Baptiste created an explosion that destroyed the docks, and possibly, his closest friend. However, the Talon operative was nowhere to be found after the incident and Baptiste suspects that he survived. Soon after, Baptiste joined Overwatch through Sinclair, a former OW agent that he saved from Mauga and his team.
How Mauga Can Fit Into Overwatch 2’s Current Story
Mauga survived, according to a voice line interaction between Baptiste and Sombra in the first Overwatch game. The medic asked Sombra “How is he?” to which the hacker replied, “Eager to see you again.” Since Mauga is the only Talon colleague that Baptiste deeply cares about apart from Sombra, it’s safe to say that he was the subject of this conversation.
Mauga’s eagerness to see Baptiste is also interesting, as it could mean that he’s either missing his old pal, itching for revenge, or even both. The two have a score to settle, and they’ve found themselves on opposite sides of an ongoing conflict between Overwatch and Talon.
It’s only a matter of time before the two face off again in Overwatch 2. Mauga’s debut could see him equipped with cybernetics due to his injuries, and Baptiste could be forced to reckon with the fact that he injured his best friend that much. Alternatively, he could have gone out unscathed, but still seething with anger about Baptiste’s betrayal. Either way, it will be exciting to see this conflict play out through in-game voice lines, and possibly a cinematic, comic, or short story.
Overwatch 2 is available now on the Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
