Overwatch Update Highlights New Hero and Team Dynamics
On September 12, Overwatch, the popular team-based first-person shooter, introduced significant updates, including a new vampire-inspired support hero named Doctrine and reworks for characters like Sombra and Roadhog. Doctrine, who was available for a limited-time trial from September 12 to 14, will be officially included in Season 5.
Members of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s (UNL) Esports Overwatch team had the opportunity to test out Doctrine during his trial period. Ryan Christian, a senior actuarial science major, shared his experience, noting that Doctrine feels quite powerful. He anticipates potential nerfs, reflecting a common trend with new characters in the game.
Jason Jiang, a junior actuarial science major and team member for two years, echoed Christian’s sentiments, suggesting that new heroes usually start strong but face adjustments after their debut.
UNL’s Esports team has seen considerable turnover in recent years due to graduation and other factors. Nick Coates, a junior mathematics major, expressed that the current roster has only been together since the beginning of the school year, adding a motivational dynamic to their practice.
The team is comprised of various roles, including flex support (Christian), main support (Jiang), and tank (Coates). They compete in two leagues this semester: the Player Versus College League (PCL) and the Power Esports Competition (PEC), with their first PEC match scheduled for October 6.
Looking ahead, Coates hopes for team growth and improvement by May, while Jiang remains optimistic about their chances in upcoming competitions, citing the potential for significant progress throughout the semester.
