Does Mei Still Freeze in Overwatch 2? Unpacking the Chilling Truth

The short answer is no, Mei no longer freezes enemies solid with her primary fire in Overwatch 2. While she doesn’t completely incapacitate opponents with a hard freeze anymore, her icy arsenal still packs a considerable punch, utilizing slow effects and strategic ice wall placement to control the battlefield. Mei has evolved, shifting from a character focused on immediate immobilization to one that excels at area denial, disruption, and coordinated plays.

Mei’s Transformation: From Freeze to Slow

In the original Overwatch, Mei’s primary fire, the Endothermic Blaster, would gradually freeze enemies solid, rendering them helpless and vulnerable to follow-up attacks. This mechanic was a core part of her identity and contributed significantly to her ability to shut down mobile heroes and control chokepoints.

However, Overwatch 2 brought significant changes to hero abilities and overall gameplay balance. Mei’s freeze ability was deemed too oppressive, particularly in a 5v5 environment where individual impact is amplified. As a result, the hard freeze mechanic was removed and replaced with a scaled slow effect.

Understanding the New Slow Mechanic

Mei’s Endothermic Blaster now applies a stacking slow to enemies. The initial slow starts at 30% and builds up to 50% as you continuously spray an enemy with frost. This gradual slow significantly hinders their movement speed, making them easier to track and hit with subsequent attacks.

More importantly, building up the initial slow triggers a much larger slowing effect of 75% for 1.5 seconds. The burst of slow, rather than freezing, still disrupts the enemy and allows for a more tactical approach to combat.

Her secondary fire, the icicle projectile, can be used to detonate this slow effect. This allows the player to deal an additional 40 damage upon detonation.

This change encourages a more proactive and coordinated playstyle. Instead of simply freezing enemies and waiting for backup, Mei players now need to strategically manage the slow effect, using it to set up opportunities for themselves and their teammates.

Strategic Ice Wall Usage

While her primary fire has changed, Mei’s Ice Wall remains a powerful tool for area denial, flanking, and protecting teammates. A well-placed Ice Wall can cut off enemy reinforcements, isolate key targets, or provide temporary cover in a firefight. In Overwatch 2, with fewer tanks on the field, strategic wall usage has become even more important.

The removal of one tank means teams are more reliant on individual players to create space and control objectives. Mei’s Ice Wall is perfectly suited for this role, allowing her to quickly alter the battlefield and create advantageous positions for her team. However, it can also be a liability if used incorrectly, potentially trapping teammates or hindering their movement.

Coordinating with Teammates

The removal of the hard freeze also shifts Mei’s focus towards team coordination. The slow effect makes enemies easier to hit for teammates, allowing for combined burst damage and follow-up attacks. Communicating with your team about which enemies are slowed and when to engage is crucial for maximizing Mei’s effectiveness.

FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About Mei in Overwatch 2

Here are some frequently asked questions to address common queries about Mei’s current state in Overwatch 2:

1. Can Mei still completely freeze enemies in Overwatch 2?

   No, Mei’s primary fire no longer completely freezes enemies solid. It applies a stacking slow effect.

2. What is the current slow percentage of Mei’s primary fire?

   Mei’s primary fire slow scales from 30% to 50% as you continually spray at the target. The initial slow will trigger a burst of 75% slow for 1.5 seconds.

3. How does Mei’s Ice Wall work in Overwatch 2?

   Mei’s Ice Wall functions similarly to the original Overwatch, creating a temporary barrier that blocks enemy movement and projectiles.

4. Why was Mei’s freeze ability removed?

   The freeze ability was deemed too oppressive and unbalanced in the new 5v5 format of Overwatch 2.

5. Does Mei’s ultimate ability, Blizzard, still freeze enemies?

   Yes, Mei’s ultimate ability, Blizzard, still freezes enemies within its area of effect.

6. How long was Mei frozen in her backstory?

   Mei was frozen in cryostasis for approximately nine years after a polar storm trapped her research team in Ecopoint: Antarctica.

7. Was Mei temporarily removed from Overwatch 2 due to a bug?

   Yes, Mei was temporarily removed from Overwatch 2 to address a bug with her Ice Wall ability that allowed heroes to reach unintended locations.

8. When did Mei return after being temporarily disabled?

   Mei returned to Overwatch 2 on November 17 as part of a mid-season patch.

9. What is Mei’s age in Overwatch 2?

   Mei is 42 years old in Overwatch 2, but she physically appears younger due to being in cryostasis for nine years.

10. What role does Mei play in Overwatch 2?

    Mei is a Damage hero specializing in area denial, disruption, and crowd control.

11. How can I maximize Mei’s effectiveness in Overwatch 2?

    Focus on strategically placing Ice Walls, coordinating with teammates to capitalize on the slow effect, and using her icicle projectile to burst damage slowed targets.

12. Where is Mei from?

    Mei is from Xi’an, China.

13. Is Mei still a viable hero in Overwatch 2?

    Yes, Mei is still a viable hero in Overwatch 2, especially for players who can effectively use her Ice Wall and coordinate with their team. She’s especially good at controlling tight spaces and disrupting enemy formations.

14. What other characters are in the Overwatch universe?

    Mercy is a support character in the Overwatch universe. The Overwatch community is a bit torn on Mercy’s confirmed age, which is 39. Some are confused because Mercy was around when Overwatch was initially founded, along with Reinhardt and Torbjorn, who are 63 and 59. Widowmaker is the alias of Amélie Lacroix (née Guillard), a French ballerina-turned-sleeper agent for the terrorist organization Talon, who after killing her husband becomes a high-profile sniper assassin. D.Va is a pro-eSports gamer named Hana Song (Revised Romanization: Song Ha-na) (송하나) from Busan, South Korea.

15. How can educational games and learning benefit from the principles found in games like Overwatch 2?

    The design elements of Overwatch 2, such as strategic teamwork, problem-solving under pressure, and adaptable skillsets, can inform the creation of more engaging and effective educational games. Understanding how players learn and collaborate within complex game environments is key to leveraging these mechanics for educational purposes. You can learn more about how games can positively impact learning at Games Learning Society or GamesLearningSociety.org.

Mastering the New Mei: Tips and Strategies

To truly excel with Mei in Overwatch 2, consider these tips:

• Practice your Ice Wall placement: Experiment with different wall placements to cut off enemy routes, protect teammates, and create flanking opportunities.
• Communicate with your team: Let your teammates know when you’ve slowed an enemy so they can follow up with damage.
• Master the icicle projectile: Learn to reliably land icicle shots on slowed targets for burst damage.
• Use Cryo-Freeze strategically: Use Cryo-Freeze to heal, block damage, or stall for time while your team regroups.
• Adapt to the situation: Mei is a versatile hero who can be played aggressively or defensively depending on the map and team composition.

Conclusion: A Chillingly Effective Hero, Reimagined

While Mei may no longer completely freeze enemies in Overwatch 2, she remains a powerful and versatile hero. By understanding her new slow mechanic, mastering her Ice Wall placement, and coordinating with your team, you can unlock her full potential and become a chilling force on the battlefield. Embracing these changes is key to becoming a truly effective Mei player in Overwatch 2.