The Ultimate Hero to Thrive With Mauga's Grand Entrance in Overwatch 2
Mauga's arrival in Overwatch 2 as Talon's heavy assault operative holds exciting potential for the game's lore Discover how his debut could shed light on the dark past shared by Mauga and Baptiste, while seamlessly integrating into the current story
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.
Mauga's introduction into Overwatch 2 holds the potential to significantly affect the hero Baptiste. The relationship between these two characters is marked by a intricate history of betrayal and conflict. As such, it is expected that Mauga's arrival will ignite a confrontation between him and Baptiste, stirring either a fierce rivalry or a chance for them to address and mend their past grievances. The resolution of this conflict offers an opportunity for exploration through in-game voice lines, cinematics, or other narrative elements.
Overwatch 2 has consistently introduced new heroes each season, ensuring a balanced representation across different roles. The current roster comprises one damage hero, two tanks, and three supports. Given the already abundant selection of damage heroes, it appears unlikely that Blizzard will be adding more in the near future. Therefore, it is a reasonable assumption that a new tank character, specifically the much-anticipated Mauga, will be the next addition to the game. This introduction not only contributes to the diversity of tank heroes but also holds potential benefits for another Overwatch 2 character.
With Season 7 now underway, Overwatch 2's 2023 roadmap suggests that the release of a new tank hero is imminent. The roadmap also outlines upcoming content such as a collaboration event, a control map, and a winter event. Additionally, reworks are planned for heroes like Sombra and Roadhog to enhance their performance in the current game. For those interested in the game's lore, there is exciting anticipation of new story missions, a codex, and cinematic debuts. The control map, previously teased in the roadmap, has recently been revealed to be named "Samoa," which is the homeland of Mauga.
Overwatch 2’s Lore Could Shed Some Light into Mauga and Baptiste’s Dark Past
Baptiste is set to greatly benefit from Mauga's debut as they share a long and eventful history. According to Baptiste's Overwatch Origin Trailer and official hero page, he became a combat medic for the Caribbean Coalition during the Omnic Crisis. However, Baptiste struggled to find suitable work that matched his unique skill set, leading him to join the mercenary group known as Talon.
During his time with Talon, Baptiste formed a strong bond with Mauga, a skilled heavy assault specialist from Samoa, and they embarked on numerous extraction missions together. As they worked alongside Talon, Baptiste discovered that the organization fueled conflicts in order to profit from them. The tipping point came when a mission to assassinate a cartel leader resulted in the loss of innocent lives. Realizing he had had enough, Baptiste made the decision to escape under the cover of night. Mauga confronted him, blocking his path, but ultimately opted to let him go.
Four years later, in the events of the short story "What You Left Behind," they found themselves facing a familiar predicament once again. Baptiste was coerced into participating in a Talon operation, and this time, Mauga was determined to bring him back, even at the cost of injuring him. In a desperate bid for freedom, Baptiste orchestrated an explosion that obliterated the docks, potentially sacrificing his dearest friend in the process. Nonetheless, the mysterious Talon operative was nowhere to be found following the incident, leading Baptiste to suspect that he had somehow survived. Before long, Baptiste found his way to Overwatch, joining its ranks through Sinclair, a former Overwatch agent whom he had rescued from Mauga and his gang.
How Mauga Can Fit Into Overwatch 2’s Current Story
According to a voice line interaction between Baptiste and Sombra in the first Overwatch game, Mauga managed to survive. Inquiring about Mauga's condition, the medic asked Sombra "How is he?", to which the hacker responded, "He's eager to see you again." Considering that Baptiste deeply cares about Mauga, along with Sombra, it can be inferred that Mauga was the focus of their conversation.
Mauga's anticipation of seeing Baptiste is intriguing, suggesting that he may be missing his former companion or seeking revenge, or even both. Their past grievances have placed them on opposing sides in the ongoing conflict between Overwatch and Talon.
In Overwatch 2, it is inevitable that these two will confront each other again. Mauga's debut might involve the use of cybernetics to address his injuries, causing Baptiste to confront the consequences of injuring his closest friend. Alternatively, Mauga may have escaped unharmed but harbors intense anger over Baptiste's perceived betrayal. Regardless, the resolution of this conflict through in-game voice lines, and potentially through a cinematic, comic, or short story, promises to be thrilling.
Overwatch 2 is available now on the Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
