Echo is Overwatch’s 32nd hero – and the original game’s last. For now, Blizzard’s plan is for any further new heroes to arrive once Overwatch 2 has been released.

Speaking to IGN Nordic & Benelux in advance of the new hero’s release, game director Jeff Kaplan made clear that, “Yes, currently Echo is the last hero coming to standard Overwatch. The focus for the next couple of heroes will be on Overwatch 2.”

It’s worth remembering that any heroes that arrive in Overwatch 2 will also be added to the original game, as their PvP modes will support full cross-play.

As for when Overwatch 2, and those new heroes, will arrive, that remains unclear. At Blizzcon 2019, Kaplan said the game was in early development.

[ignvideo url=”https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/18/echo-origin-story-overwatch”]

For those worried that Echo adds to an already deep pool of DPS characters in the game, Kaplan also reassured fans that future characters will fill other roles, saying, “there is a big list of support and tanks in development for Overwatch 2.”

We’ve previously heard that there are four new heroes in the works for Overwatch – one of those is likely Echo, and another is almost certainly Sojourn, who was teased at Blizzcon 2019.

We’ve gone hands-on with Echo – a flying DPS character with an ultimate that turns her into clones of other characters – and you can read our full thoughts right now.

[widget path=”global/article/imagegallery” parameters=”albumSlug=overwatch-2-gameplay-reveal-screens&captions=true”]

[poilib element=”accentDivider”]

Source: IGN.com Overwatch: Echo Will Be the Last New Hero Before Overwatch 2