On November 3rd, Blizzard made an exciting announcement for Overwatch 2 fans – the introduction of a new tank hero named Mauga. However, some observant players couldn’t help but joke that Mauga has actually been in the game since the original Overwatch.
A Reddit post on November 5th resurfaced a five-year-old video showcasing Korean hackers using the Talon Heavy Assault trooper in a competitive match. This led players to comment, “Why is everyone saying Mauga is new? He’s been in the game since Overwatch 1.”
The Talon Heavy Assault trooper was originally an AI bot featured in the Retribution event back in 2018, which offered PvE missions similar to the current Invasion mode. This powerful unit had an enormous amount of health, and somehow, a player managed to bring it into a competitive match, wreaking havoc and obliterating everything in its path.
But the hacking didn’t stop there. Multiple videos surfaced showing players spawning as various characters, including the regular Talon Trooper, Talon Assassin, Null Sector’s Detonator, and even Junkrat’s RIP-Tire. These matches were pure chaos, and yet players found them incredibly enjoyable.
Many fans have fond memories of these moments, finding them amusing despite the risk of losing a competitive game. As one fan reminisced, “I remember how funny it was. I didn’t even mind getting steamrolled by an NPC Talon.”
Since that infamous hack, fans have eagerly awaited the opportunity to play as the Talon Heavy Assault once again. This is where Mauga comes in. With his imposing size and dual-wielding Gatling guns, Mauga bears a striking resemblance to the Heavy Assault. Furthermore, his backstory reveals that he is a former member of Talon.
The inclusion of Mauga in Overwatch 2 has been highly anticipated, with even Blizzard joking about the long wait. Finally, players will have the chance to play as a canonical Talon Heavy Assault in Overwatch 2.
Mauga was available for playtesting during the weekend of November 4th to November 5th and will be officially introduced to the game in season 8 on December 5th.
Source: DOTESPORTS
