Introducing Shion: Overwatch's 52nd Hero and Motorcycle Maverick
Overwatch has introduced its 52nd character, Shion, a damage hero who rides a high-end motorcycle as part of her abilities. The development team faced challenges in ensuring Shion's invincibility while on the bike, leading to the creation of new technology to adjust the hitbox dynamically. The bike plays a crucial role in defining Shion's identity as a combo-heavy, acrobatic flanker, aligning with Blizzard's focus on highly mobile characters for the game's first year.
Shion's design emphasizes combos, with a hitscan standard fire, a charged alt-fire, a dash skill that grants overhealth, and an ultimate that empowers her attacks. The team aimed to create a glass cannon archetype with a learning curve, encouraging players to master the synergy between her abilities for maximum effectiveness. Shion's playstyle is suited for dive or brawl teams, complementing sturdy tanks like Junker Queen and synergizing with mobile heroes like Winston and D.Va.
Despite the meticulous balancing and testing done during development, the team anticipates potential issues upon Shion's launch. However, the experience gained from previous hero releases, such as Vendetta, has provided valuable insights into post-launch adjustments. Shion's debut in Overwatch season 3, Into the Tiger's Den, promises a fresh gameplay experience with her unique kit and playstyle.