Blizzard Entertainment has announced it will remove Overwatch 2's Hero Mastery Gauntlet PvE mode, citing that the mode "hasn't resonated" with players. This decision will take effect starting with Season 11, which begins next month.
(Photo : Blizzard Entertainment / Screenshot taken from Steam.)
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Blizzard's Official Statement
The news was shared on the Overwatch forums, where the developer explained the reasoning behind the removal. Hero Mastery Gauntlet, a cooperative mode where players teamed up against waves of robots, was intended to bring excitement similar to the Hero Mastery missions but in a multiplayer format. Despite these intentions, the mode did not gain the popularity Blizzard had hoped for.
Here is Blizzard's full statement on the removal of the Hero Mastery Gauntlet mode:
"As we prepare for Season 11, we've reviewed various game modes based on their popularity. Hero Mastery Gauntlet was designed to bring the excitement of Hero Mastery missions into a multiplayer setting. Unfortunately, it hasn't resonated with players as we hoped. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Hero Mastery Gauntlet as a permanent mode, effective from Season 11.
Players have until the end of Season 10 to complete the Lifetime Challenges for Hero Mastery Gauntlet and compete on its Top 500 leaderboards.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Gauntlet. For those looking to enhance their hero skills, Individual Hero Mastery Solo Courses will remain available, with more courses coming in future seasons. We'll see you in-game!"
Impact on Overwatch 2
Hero Mastery Gauntlet was introduced in March 2024, meaning it will have been available for only about three months before being removed. While many players have criticized the mode, others are disappointed to see another PvE mode being scrapped. This follows Blizzard's previous decision in May 2023 to cancel the long-promised PvE Hero mode, which had been a significant anticipated feature of Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2, launched in 2022 as a sequel to Blizzard's popular hero shooter, has faced several changes and challenges. Last year, Blizzard shut down the Overwatch League and announced that new heroes would be available to all players, not locked behind a premium battle pass. Season 10, for instance, introduced a new Damage hero named Venture, accessible to everyone.
Players still have a few weeks left to enjoy Hero Mastery Gauntlet before its removal. The current season will run for another 28 days, giving players a final chance to complete challenges and climb the leaderboards in this soon-to-be-retired mode.
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