Is Reaper a Hero or a Villain?
Reaper, also known as Gabriel Reyes, is a complex character in the Overwatch universe, whose actions and intentions are more aligned with those of a villain rather than a hero, as he is driven by a passion for murder and vengeance. His backstory and character development reveal a remorseless killer who leaves behind a trail of death and destruction, making him a formidable and feared opponent in the Overwatch world.
Understanding Reaper’s Character
To comprehend whether Reaper is a hero or a villain, it’s essential to delve into his backstory and motivations. Reaper’s real name is Gabriel Reyes, a former Blackwatch Commander who was thought to be deceased. However, he was resurrected by Moira with haunting new abilities, which transformed him into the deadly killer known as Reaper.
Reaper’s Role in Overwatch
As a playable character in Overwatch and its sequel Overwatch 2, Reaper is a Damage hero who excels at dealing massive damage to enemies. His abilities, such as Wraith Form and Death Blossom, make him a powerful opponent in the right situations. However, his actions and intentions are far from heroic, as he is driven by a desire for vengeance and destruction.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
- Is Reaper a good hero?: Reaper can be effective on defense for Payload objectives, but requires flanking and disrupting the enemy team to be successful.
- Is Reaper the main villain in Overwatch?: Reaper is one of the main antagonists of the game’s lore, formerly known as Gabriel Reyes before being resurrected by Moira.
- What type of hero is Reaper?: Reaper is a Damage hero in Overwatch, one of the 21 heroes included in the game’s initial release.
Character Background
- Was Reaper always evil?: Reaper, even as Gabriel Reyes, acted in humanity’s best interests, trying to restore order and peace in a chaotic world.
- Who can beat Reaper?: Heroes like Pharah and Echo can counter Reaper with their abilities, such as Concussive Blast and Sticky Bombs.
- Why do Reaper and Soldier hate each other?: The accepted interpretation is that Reyes was furious that he served with Jack Morrison (Soldier: 76) in the Omnic War, but Jack got the position of Strike Commander instead.
Reaper’s Abilities and Weaknesses
- What is the Reaper’s real name?: The truth, known to few, is that the Reaper is former Blackwatch Commander Gabriel Reyes, long thought deceased.
- What is the Reapers weakness?: The Reaper has no weaknesses and no resistances or immunities, making him a formidable opponent.
- Why does Reaper wear a mask?: The mask is a specialized breathing apparatus that protects his identity, as he wants the world to believe him to be dead.
Relationships and Backstory
- Who is Reapers wife?: Reyes used to be a cop who lived with his wife Martina and their son, and he still thinks of Martina often.
- Who is the strongest Grim Reaper?: Ultimate-Class Grim Reapers are noted to be very powerful, with Thanatos being the most powerful Grim Reaper.
- Is the Grim Reaper an angel?: The Grim Reaper is also called the Angel of Death, but there are many angels associated with death in both positive and negative contexts.
Game Lore and Storyline
- What is Reaper’s backstory?: A remorseless killer, Reaper left behind a trail of death, with rumors suggesting he was a genetic experiment gone wrong.
- Why is Reaper evil in Overwatch?: Reaper admits to being a high-functioning psychopath, with a passion for murder and vengeance.
- Can the Reapers be defeated?: Yes, unless you opt for the ‘do nothing’ ending, the Reapers can be destroyed, with the red ending resulting in the destruction of all synthetic life in the galaxy.