Blizzard has introduced a new system to competitive play in Overwatch 2, aiming to give players strategic agency without punishing weaker niche picks. The Hero Ban system, debuting in Season 16, allows teams to ban two heroes each with the goal of increasing variety and making matches feel unique.
During the match, teams select their “Preferred Hero” which does not guarantee its protection from being banned. Instead, it informs teammates about their desired hero. Team text or voice chat can be used for communication, and teammates can see the preferred hero during the ban phase.
A ranked choice system determines the heroes to be banned, with each player selecting three choices that carry different weights in terms of votes. The first choice carries seven votes, the second five, and the third three. The system applies these choices instantly, ensuring a quick ban phase.
The team with the most votes for one hero will have it guaranteed to be banned. If both teams are tied, the team is decided randomly, and their bans follow a specific order. No more than two heroes in each role can be banned simultaneously.
Players can choose to pass during the ban phase by pressing the ready button, leaving voting up to allies. The system’s goal is to gather information about hero bans to help designers understand which heroes are perceived as strong or frustrating to play against. Feedback on the system will also be gathered throughout the season.
The new competitive season with Hero Bans premieres on April 22, with another opportunity to earn bonuses and Competitive Points in Season 15 Drives starting on April 17.
Source: https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24197272/directors-take-introducing-hero-bans-for-competitive-play