Overwatch 2 enthusiasts have been buzzing with speculation over a possible hint about hero 45, thanks to a quirky, cartoon-like doodle of a sword-wielding knight that popped up during the recent Spotlight event. Although such teasers sometimes lead to nothing, players can’t help but wonder if this third hero of 2025 could be a melee-focused character wielding a sword—perhaps even one of the gladiators from Colosseo.
In the Spotlight, Blizzard showcased two new heroes set to join the Overwatch 2 roster. There’s Freya, a new damage hero making her entry in Season 16, and a mysterious support character, temporary named Aqua, who is expected in Season 18. Unfortunately, there was no new information about the 45th hero for Season 20, slated for late 2025.
Sharp-eyed fans might have caught a glimpse of a clue about this hero in the event. As narrative designer Jude Stacey offered insights about Freya, a whimsical doodle featuring a heavily-armored knight with a massive ponytail and an oversized sword appeared in the background on a viewscreen. This character’s aesthetic fits the placeholder art style Blizzard often uses, sparking discussions in the community.
This little snippet of art has fans speculating all sorts of potential backstories and roles. Those in the know couldn’t help but notice a resemblance to Magnus, a famed gladiator whose statue stands in the Hall of Champions in the Colosseo map. The map also has references to an ongoing rivalry between two gladiators, Maximus and Zephyrus, seen through scoreboard and ad imagery. If Magnus does make it into the game, some suggest he might not even be human but rather an autonomous battle robot. Adding fuel to the fire, Season 16 will introduce players to Gladius, a new Colosseo-based map in the Stadium mode, possibly paving the way for a new hero from the same setting.
When speaking with content creator Frogger during the Spotlight, Overwatch 2 game director Aaron Keller shed some light on the developer’s fascination with melee heroes. Although first-person melee heroes present unique design challenges, Keller hinted they’ve found a potential solution, possibly leveraging the third-person perspective being tested in the new Stadium mode or using a similar workaround.
While it’s thrilling to ponder these possibilities, it’s crucial to remember that Blizzard has not confirmed any official details about hero 45 yet. Past teasers—like the speculated involvement of Maximilien as hero 43—have sometimes turned out to be false trails. Nevertheless, this latest Easter egg is enough to keep the Overwatch community buzzing with excitement and anticipation until Blizzard officially unveils the mysterious hero 45.
