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He looks like Taric and Yasuo combined…
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Blizzard Entertainment is set to release its latest Support hero Lifeweaver this upcoming season 4, with details being revealed in a since-deleted article from PCGamesN. Lifeweaver, also known as Niran Pruksamanee, is a plant-based pansexual who uses his regenerative technology, Biolight, to heal his allies. He is also the first Thai hero to enter the Overwatch roster.
The Overwatch team revealed Lifeweaver’s kit, which includes a Petal Platform that generates a pressure-sensitive platform that ascends when stepped on by heroes on both teams, and a Life Grip that shields a targeted ally and pulls them to Lifeweaver’s position. His primary fire, Thorn Volley, deals damage to opponents while his passive ability, Parting Gift, drops a healing item when he dies. Lifeweaver’s ultimate, Tree of Life, heals allies within its perimeter for as long as it remains active and can be placed anywhere on the map to disrupt sightlines and block chokepoints.
Lifeweaver’s design is inspired by the mandala shape, and his clothes and iconography are a celebration of Thai culture. The Overwatch team hopes that Lifeweaver’s control abilities will open up new strategies for players in the game, with Alec Dawson, lead hero designer, saying that they want support heroes who can fight back a little. He also adds that Lifeweaver is designed for players who care more about positioning and game sense than aim skill. The hero’s kit has a learning curve, but Dawson notes that Lifeweaver’s skill floor is accessible to beginners.
Lifeweaver’s connection to Symmetra in Overwatch 2’s lore is reflected in the gameplay, as both heroes are light architects who can spawn constructs. According to senior character technical artist Chonlawat Thammawan, their kits work well together. Lifeweaver’s ability to quickly reposition aggressive flankers like Genji or Reaper, coupled with burst healers like Ana or Baptiste, make for a good team composition.
Lifeweaver will be available to unlock via the Overwatch 2 battle pass over the course of the upcoming season, and his debut in the FPS game will coincide with Thai New Year. The Overwatch team hopes that Lifeweaver will engage players in a different way than any other hero has before, with his unique kit and personality promoting team inclusivity.
