It looks like Overwatch 2 is turning the excitement up a notch by hinting at Hero 45, potentially a female gladiator who might make her debut in Season 20. Fans have pieced together these insights from various teasers and believe this character could be introduced as a melee tank character, based on the game’s pattern of hero releases.
So, what do we know so far? In a recent banner and weapon spotted on the Arena Victoriae, a new Stadium map, there’s a strong nod to a gladiator-themed hero. These hints line up with other clues fans have discovered, making it seem very likely that this enigmatic hero will appear in Season 20 of Overwatch 2.
Blizzard’s recent Spotlight event shed light on two of the three heroes slated for 2025. We’ve got Freja, a nimble damage dealer set for Season 16, and a support hero with the working name “Aqua.” But the real mystery lies in the third hero, who we’ve caught glimpses of—a sword-bearing gladiator sketched in the event, alongside a quirky placeholder text on Brigitte’s page reading “Gladiators Gonna Gladiate.”
Fast forward to recent discoveries: players have stumbled upon even more teasers suggesting Hero 45 is indeed a melee gladiator. During a playtest of Arena Victoriae, a new Control map, eagle-eyed players noticed a banner showcasing a gladiator silhouette wielding what looks like an advanced sword or spear. Right next to it, a similar weapon was displayed, both marked with XLV, the Roman numeral for 45. Interestingly, the banner also carried the phrase “La Lupa Della Ritorsione,” or “The Wolf of Retribution,” in Italian, which was shared on Twitter by Overwatch Cavalry.
With that name, who is this mysterious figure? The weapon’s design rules out Camilla, Titus, or Magnus, the mechanical gladiators from the Colosseo map. The silhouette doesn’t match Zephyrus or Maximus, shown on the same map. What stands out is the Italian “La,” hinting at a female identity. Plus, previous whispers of testing with Brigitte’s model suggest Hero 45 could be a fresh face—and female.
If this gladiator indeed becomes Hero 45, we might see her as a melee-focused tank or damage dealer. With a DPS and support slated for 2025, a tank role seems optimal, especially with the current roster favoring damage roles significantly. Reinhardt is the go-to melee tank, while Doomfist, Hazard, and Genji blend melee into their styles.
Mark your calendars for April 22, when Overwatch 2’s Season 16 launches alongside Stadium and the Arena Victoriae map. Dive into these teasers in-game and keep your eyes peeled for “The Wolf of Retribution” as things unfold.
