Overwatch’s upcoming Omnic detective, Hudson, is officially joining the Damage roster in Season 6, but that wasn’t always Blizzard’s plan. The character was originally designed as a Support hero before developers realized his abilities worked much better as a DPS.
The unexpected role switch has sparked mixed reactions among players, prompting game director Aaron Keller to explain why Blizzard decided to change Hudson’s role ahead of his release in December 2026.
In Brief
- Hudson has officially been confirmed as Overwatch’s next Damage hero, arriving in Season 6.
- The Omnic detective was originally developed as a Support hero.
- Aaron Keller says internal testing showed Hudson performed significantly better as a DPS.
- Some Support players are disappointed, while Blizzard remains confident in the decision.
Overwatch Devs Explain Why Hudson Was Changed From Support to Damage
Following the official Hudson announcement, Keller addressed concerns about the character’s role in a series of posts on X.
According to Keller, Hudson initially started development as a Support hero. However, as his abilities evolved, the team struggled to make his kit work within that role.
Everything changed when developers began testing him as a Damage hero.
Keller explained that the team’s reaction to Hudson’s new role was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.
He also emphasized that the decision wasn’t simply about choosing between another Support or DPS character.
“This decision ultimately wasn’t whether we release a DPS or a Support hero, it was whether we release a great character or one we didn’t believe in,” Keller said.
Associate game director Alec Dawson similarly explained that Hudson’s core mechanic felt much better suited to the Damage role.
Interestingly, Hudson reportedly received the highest ratings of any hero tested through Blizzard’s player research groups.
Overwatch Players Are Divided Over Hudson’s Role Change
The announcement has received mixed reactions from the Overwatch community.
Some players were excited about finally getting another Omnic Support, especially after Blizzard previously indicated that Hudson would fill that role.
Others believe the developers made the right decision by prioritizing a fun and well-designed hero.
The debate also comes after several Damage heroes joined Overwatch throughout 2026.
Hudson will become the game’s 55th playable hero and its 24th Damage character.
When Is Hudson Coming to Overwatch?
Hudson is scheduled to arrive with Overwatch Season 6 in December 2026.
Blizzard hasn’t fully revealed his abilities or gameplay mechanics yet, so players will have to wait to see what made his Damage-focused kit so successful during testing.
