The Overwatch content mill never stops churning, and it seems a new hero may be the next big addition coming down the pipe. New Overwatch heroes tend to be fairly evenly split – some are totally out of left field (Moira and Orisa come to mind), while others (like Doomfist) are already a well-established part of the game’s lore before being announced. It seems the forthcoming 27th hero may be in the latter camp.
We don’t have any confirmation from Blizzard yet, but recent hints point toward Torbjörn’s daughter, Brigitte Lindholm, being our next hero. The young lady should be familiar to most serious Overwatch fans, as she was a significant part of Reinhardt’s recent “Honor and Glory” short and has popped up in a couple spin-off comics. Check out her animated debut, below.
So, why do people think Brigitte is the next hero? Well, Overwatch dropped this teaser last week:
[DECLASSIFIED] After-Action Report: Operation “WHITE DOME” pic.twitter.com/fvnUQQEFDC
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 23, 2018
At first people assumed the mysterious Private First Class Emre Sarioglu would be our next hero, but it seems that name was (probably) just a red herring. Blizzard has since released a new story update, consisting of a letter from Torbjörn to his wife following the events described above. Emre Sarioglu isn’t mentioned in the letter – instead Torbjörn talks about his then-unborn child, who he promised Reinhardt could name. Bet that went over well! Here’s the full letter.
My dear Ingrid,
I know that by now you have gotten news of my injuries in our latest mission. While the descriptions may sound terrible, the doctors are quite sure I'll make a full recovery. Even Angela came to visit me! On the matter of my arm, I promise to make it my first priority to construct a suitable prosthesis that will make everyone forget that it was ever gone. If only Angela's dreams of tissue regeneration were a reality! I told her she should be working harder!
They tell me that you have not yet gone into labor, so I am holding out hope that I will be able to be by your side back home in Gothenburg when the time comes. Just wait a little longer for me!
You may have heard that Reinhardt is responsible for saving my life. I've heard the story at least four different times myself, already, each time more unbelievable than the last. Exaggerations, as you know how he can be. All the same, they've decided to award him a commendation for "conspicuous bravery." Could two words better describe the big oaf?
He has been bothering me insufferably at my bedside. Half in jest, I suggested that if it would shut him up, I would allow him to name our daughter, as he has been badgering me about it these past months. He, of course, took me at my word. Truth be told, I had been considering making him her godfather, and I hope you'll forgive me for making this decision without your consultation. We can only hope she doesn't take after him too much.
I told him that you would have to agree to any name he chose, so let’s hope it's a good one (though I fear that may be beyond his abilities, given some of the ridiculous names he gives the characters in his "true stories"). I'm getting sick of this hospital, so I am hoping to return soon.
Love, Torbjörn
Adding even more fuel to the fire, Blizzard just tweeted what appears to a tease for our new hero's weapon. Sure looks something Torbjörn’s daughter might wield, doesn't it?
“I'll knock some sense into you!” pic.twitter.com/WIg2xCQZ0h
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) February 26, 2018
So, if Brigitte is on the way, what kind of hero will she be? She definitely seems to be following in her father’s engineer footsteps, but maybe she focuses on building something other than turrets? Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has said hero 27 will be “very needed,” so she won’t just be a female clone of her dad. What do you want from Overwatch’s next hero?
Overwatch is currently available on PC, Xbox One, and PS4.