Doomfist is a disruptive tank in Overwatch 2.

Just a few days before the Overwatch 2 PVP beta finally gets underway, Blizzard has revealed more details about Doomfist’s rework. His revamped kit was announced alongside Orisa’s overhaul.

We already knew that Doomfist was being moved into the tank category for the sequel. His melee-based offense means it didn’t make much sense for him to continue as a DPS hero, given the across-the-board reduction in crowd control abilities for damage and support characters. Moving him to the tank category feels right under that philosophy.

One of the main jobs of a tank is to create space for the rest of the team and that’s something Doomfist already excelled at. With this new version, think of him more of a Wrecking Ball-style disruptor than a Reinhardt-esque protector.

Say hello to Overwatch 2's tankier Doomfist.

Although his Rising Uppercut has been removed, Doomfist still has a ton of mobility thanks to his revamped Seismic Slam. It now acts more like Winston’s Jump Pack with both vertical and horizontal movement. You’ll still deal damage to anyone caught in the landing spot’s impact zone, and you’ll slow those enemies as well.

Replacing Rising Uppercut is a new defensive ability called Power Block. When this is active, it will reduce damage taken from the front by 90%. If Doomfist blocks enough damage from enemies, his gauntlet will charge up. This will supercharge his next use of Rocket Punch, increasing the distance, travel speed, damage and knockback radius. If you knock a target into a wall, you’ll stun them for around one second. However, Rocket Punch will deal far less damage than you’ll be used to.

If you use Power Block well, it’ll effectively act as a counter ability — as if Doomfist didn’t already feel like a fighting game character transported to Overwatch. “When you block a hard-hitting attack, you get powered up instantly. It almost feels like a parry,” lead hero designer Geoff Goodman said.

As for Doomfist’s Ultimate, Meteor Strike, that’s in for some changes as well. The cast time is being reduced but so is the damage output. Instead of knocking back enemies caught in the radius, it will slow them. That could open up the potential for some killer combos if you can coordinate well with your teammates.

Elsewhere, Doomfist is getting a health buff from 250 to 450. That will bring him in line with other tanks. He’ll have the same role-based passives as other tanks, including a knockback reduction and lower Ultimate charge for allies (through healing) and enemies. As for the Hand Cannon, the ammo charge rate is being increased, though it will deal a bit less damage per shot (six per pellet, down from five).

So there you have it. Those are Doomfist’s changes for Overwatch 2 as things stand (though it’s worth remembering this is a beta and things may be altered). Doomfist rollouts will be significantly affected by the loss of Rising Uppercut, but he’ll have more defensive utility to make up for that.

During a call with reporters this week, Goodman suggested Doomfist’s abilities should pair well with DPS heroes who can punish enemies that are caught out of position, such as Widowmaker, Hanzo and Sojourn. Slowing down opponents will make them an easier target for teammates with decent aim too.

You’ll be able to find out how Doomfist feels in action if you’re lucky enough to make it into the Overwatch 2 PVP beta, which starts in less than a week. Get excited.