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Geek Preview Overwatch 2 Kiriko

Geek Preview: Overwatch 2’s Kiriko Brings Fun Back To Support Role, But Is A Tricky Practice In Timing

Overwatch took the gaming scene by storm when it dropped in 2016, and it was more than just gameplay that propelled it to overwhelming popularity. The rich lore, breathtaking animated shorts, and diverse character cast of Blizzard’s hero-based shooter found a place in fans’ hearts, making it a standout against other first-person shooters (FPS) on the market.

The content releases may have trickled to a slow stream over the years, but its sequel is poised for a strong comeback into the fray with a series of new offerings. New support hero, Kiriko, is an addition that Overwatch 2 players can look forward to, especially for those who appreciate some mobility in their gameplay.

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Indeed, this maneuverability is easily the most enjoyable part of the Kiriko experience. She’s able to climb walls just like Genji and Hanzo, teleport to allies in need of healing — even through walls — and give a speed, movement, and cooldown boost to her teammates. But she’s no slouch when it comes to attacking, either, with her Kunai dishing out increased critical damage. Combine all of that with her Healing Ofuda primary ability, and it’s a kit that offers plenty of versatility, survivability, and fun.

Character mastery sounds easy then, but only on paper. Taking Kiriko out for a spin in Overwatch 2 yielded some findings: first, that timing is the name of the game, and second, that it can be tricky to get the most value out of her. The magic lies in striking that balance between switching out her healing and offensive capabilities, and activating her life-saving ability (Protection Suzu) a split second before a devastating attack hits.

Check out the above video to witness Kiriko in action, where we discuss her skill set, usefulness in combat, and possible combinations to bring utter destruction upon the opposing team.

Overwatch 2 will be free to play when it launches on 4 October 2022.