Overwatch 2 recently released a short story that revealed the sexual identities of Pharah and Baptiste. While many players have long speculated on the orientations of the two heroes, the heartfelt tale officially confirmed it as a part of Overwatch 2’s Pride celebration.
This year, Overwatch 2 is celebrating Pride in a big way, with free LGBTQA+ cosmetics for every player and an in-game Pride parade on the Midtown map. Outside the game, Blizzard also released “As You Are,” a new short story written by Overwatch 2 senior narrative designer Jen Stacey.
The story features Baptiste, Cassidy, and Pharah as they are flying to Gibraltar to meet up with the rest of the newly-reformed Overwatch. Cassidy retires to the back, leaving Pharah and Baptiste alone in the cockpit. Baptiste questions Pharah about her relationship with Cassidy, showing an interest in the grenade-slinging cybernetic cowboy of Overwatch 2 fame. Laughing at the insinuation that she and Cassidy were a couple, Pharah plainly states she is a lesbian. As the two converse further, they begin to form a closer bond as they discuss second chances, identity, and their futures.
Beyond confirming Baptiste as bisexual and Pharah as a lesbian, “As You Are” hints at the identities of several other Overwatch 2 characters. After learning of Baptiste’s interest in Cassidy, Pharah does not discourage him, indicating the latter would probably be interested as well. Additionally, Pharah’s complicated feelings about Mercy seem to suggest the two have a history together–or at least that Pharah likes her.
Baptiste also thinks about Mauga briefly during the short story. A heavy gunfighter Baptiste bonded with while working for Talon, Mauga has been teased as a future Tank hero by Overwatch since he was introduced. When he eventually makes his way into the Overwatch 2 roster, players can expect him to shake both the meta and Baptiste to their cores–especially if fans later learn the two mercenaries were more than just teammates.
Needless to say, many Overwatch 2 fans are excited to learn these heroes are LGBTQA+. Few were surprised to learn Baptiste was bisexual, considering he flirts with several male and female heroes, but were glad to have it in writing all the same. Pharah, on the other hand, had been the subject of speculation for years. Fans of the high-flying hero are happy knowing they were right all along–especially considering the heavy hints that the popular Pharah Mercy ship might become canon someday. Players will have to see what happens when the two characters are reunited in another short story or in Overwatch 2’s upcoming PvE content.
Overwatch 2 is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
