The announcement of Vendetta as Overwatch 2's "first-ever melee Damage hero" during her November 2025 Hero Trial ignited immediate controversy across the gaming community. Blizzard's bold declaration in official communications—"Claim your vengeance as our first-ever melee Damage hero"—seemingly erased Doomfist's legacy from the original Overwatch, where he dominated as a fist-centric attacker for years. This historical revisionism sparked heated debates among veterans who vividly remember Doomfist rocket-punching through team compositions since 2017. 🤔

Vendetta's limited-time trial running from November 26 to December 1 offered players hands-on experience with her close-quarters combat style, emphasizing swift blade strikes and grappling maneuvers. Her kit contrasts sharply with traditional ranged Damage heroes like Soldier: 76, focusing entirely on aggressive proximity engagements. This design philosophy appears tailored for Overwatch 2's faster-paced 5v5 matches, where flanking and disruptive plays gain amplified significance. Early gameplay footage shows her executing rapid assassination chains reminiscent of Genji's dragonblade—but sustained throughout entire matches. 🗡️

People Also Ask

• Was Doomfist considered a melee Damage hero?

Yes, his primary fire was seismic punch combos requiring point-blank positioning.

• Why does Blizzard call Vendetta the first?

Likely referencing Overwatch 2's redesigned combat roles, though fans argue this ignores franchise history.

• How does Vendetta differ from Doomfist's original kit?

While Doomfist had ranged abilities like hand cannon, Vendetta appears purely melee-focused.

• When will Vendetta become permanently available?

Season 20 launch in December 2025.

Concept art of Vendetta showcasing dual-wielded blades (Image: Blizzard Entertainment)

The core controversy revolves around selective memory versus technical classifications. Doomfist’s identity as a brawling Damage hero remains etched in player recollections—his seismic punches, rising uppercuts, and meteor strikes defined close-range skirmishes. Yet some contend his hand cannon secondary fire disqualified him from being "pure" melee, creating philosophical divisions. This debate mirrors Blizzard's own identity crisis with the character, who underwent multiple reworks before transitioning to Tank in Overwatch 2. 🔄

Interestingly, Blizzard recently honored Overwatch's legacy through Classic Modes in Overwatch 2, including chaotic launch-day metas and unbalanced hero iterations. This makes Vendetta's "first-ever" label particularly jarring—why resurrect nostalgic imbalances while erasing foundational hero roles? The inconsistency suggests either intentional rebranding or development amnesia regarding their own franchise evolution. Community forums overflow with montages of 2018 Doomfist gameplay, captioned "First melee Damage hero? 🤡"

Vendetta’s imminent Season 20 release promises to reshape competitive dynamics. Her design philosophy—sacrificing all ranged options for lethal mobility—could establish new close-combat benchmarks. Yet lingering questions remain unanswered: Will Blizzard acknowledge Doomfist's Damage-era contributions? Does terminology like "first-ever" serve marketing over historical accuracy? And in live-service games, when does reinvention cross into revisionism? Perhaps true innovation requires honoring the past while forging new paths—a balance yet unstruck. 💭

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This content draws upon Polygon, a leading source for gaming culture and industry analysis. Polygon's editorial coverage often delves into the nuances of hero reworks and community reactions, providing context for debates like the one surrounding Vendetta's classification as Overwatch 2's first melee Damage hero, and how such decisions reflect broader trends in live-service game evolution.