Blizzard has lifted the curtain on Overwatch 2’s latest hero, and she might be one of the most striking additions the game has seen in years. Hero 45 is Vendetta, also known as La Lupa, a melee focused Italian fighter who wields a massive hard light sword and carries deep ties to Blackwatch, Talon, and the darker corners of the Overwatch universe.
Her reveal trailer has sent the community into a frenzy, but the mystery behind her role has already been solved. Here’s everything to know about Vendetta, including her release date, early hero trial, lore connections, and what we can expect from her melee heavy kit.
A Fierce New Face In The Arena
Blizzard introduced Vendetta in a cinematic trailer set on the Colosseo map, showcasing her carving through foes with a glowing hard light blade. Fans immediately noticed hints of Vishkar technology, the same hard light used by Symmetra, suggesting deeper lore connections beyond simple weapon design.
According to Blizzard’s official description, Vendetta rose from a brutal life of arena combat after being denied her inheritance. Her victories turned her into a legend in Italy’s underground gladiatorial scene, but whispers of her lineage have tied her directly to Overwatch’s long running conflict with Talon.
The studio highlights her ruthless, calculated approach to combat, with every victory pushing her closer to a purpose she keeps close to her chest.
Yes, She’s A Damage Hero, And Blizzard Already Confirmed It
While the trailer left players guessing whether Vendetta would be a tank or DPS, the answer was quietly delivered behind the scenes. Several media outlets received emails from Blizzard PR stating clearly that Vendetta is an Italian damage hero.
This puts the speculation to rest, even though she blocks shots with her sword in the trailer. Blizzard did not mention her role in public posts, leading fans to pore over her moveset, but the email confirms she’s joining the DPS lineup as hero number 20 in that category.
It also marks the second DPS hero added this year, following Freja and Wuyang, and means Overwatch 2 will go another year without a new tank.
Release Date And Early Hero Trial
Players won’t need to wait long to get their hands on Vendetta.
Early Trial Period
You can play Vendetta from 26 November to 1 December in a limited time hero trial available to all players.
Based on typical patch timings, the update is expected to go live at approximately 11 a.m. PT on 26 November, which lines up with 7 a.m. UTC and 5 a.m. AEST on 27 November.
Full Release
Vendetta officially arrives as part of Overwatch 2 Season 20 launching in December.
What Her Abilities Might Look Like
Blizzard hasn’t released a full ability breakdown, but the trailer gives us some strong clues about how she’ll play as an aggressive melee DPS.
Hard-Light Greatsword Combat
Vendetta fights with a massive hard light blade, slicing through enemies in close range with fast but heavy motion. She appears to have:
- A spinning area attack similar to a Whirlwind style move
- A powerful vertical leap followed by a downward strike, reminiscent of Sonya’s Leap from Diablo
- A sword throw that hits distant opponents
- A teleporting recall or aerial rush to retrieve her blade mid fight
If these abilities reflect her final kit, Vendetta could become Overwatch 2’s first fully melee damage hero, giving the role a completely new combat style.
Her Lore Ties Run Deeper Than Expected
The trailer offers surprising glimpses into long unresolved Overwatch history. We see Gabriel Reyes, Cassidy, Moira, and Genji during the infamous Retribution era. In a key moment, Vendetta’s father is thrown from a window by Reyes, linking her origins directly to Blackwatch operations in Italy years earlier.
This event shapes Vendetta into La Lupa, the wolf, fuelled by rage and a need to reclaim the future she believes was stolen from her. With Blizzard adding a dedicated story section to Overwatch 2’s menu this year, players can expect more lore drops once she goes live.
A New Direction For Overwatch 2’s Hero Design
Vendetta is the third new hero announced for 2025 and brings a rare melee centric approach to the DPS role. Her reveal also comes during a renewed push from Blizzard to expand story content, character backstories, and worldbuilding beyond limited seasonal updates.
Players who have been hoping for a tank hero may be disappointed, but Blizzard has hinted that more additions are planned for early 2026. For now, Vendetta is set to shake up the roster in a big way when she steps into the arena next month.