Following the debate on the potential new composition in Role Lock games — named 3-2-1 and composed of 3 DPS, 2 Healers, 1 Tank — the Overwatch leaker Metro expresses himself on the possibility of seeing a pick and ban system appear in-game.
What's the pick and ban?
The pick and ban is a system that happens to be recurrent in some games like Paladins or League of Legends. This system allows each member of both teams to choose a hero they will ban from the game. This one can't be picked to be played and, according to maps, it's obvious that some heroes are stronger than others. This system has the simple aim of diversifying the character selection but also to guarantee a better comfort in-game.
What would be the purpose of this new system?
First of all, this system could allow players to become much more flexible and say goodbye to OTPs (One Trick Poney). The goal of Overwatch is to be able to play several heroes to adapt to all sorts of situations. Remember that it's possible for you to change your pick at any time during a game, in order to try a comeback if your composition isn't ideal against opponents. This is a system that isn't necessarily possible in all games, especially in League of Legends, DOTA or Paladins where you won't be able to change your pick for the whole game!
Secondly, without taking into account the possible arrival of the 3-2-1 in Role Queue, it would allow you to no longer see mirror composition or duo snipers in-game. Whether for casual players like us or pro players, this could lead to much faster, nervous confrontations with a real diversity of heroes played. Let's not forget that some characters are very often forgotten, because the meta doesn't highlight them. The ban hero system would probably fill the void that meta currently offer in the game, whether in Overwatch League or in ranked games.
Are pick and ban and 3-2-1 compatible?
However, if we look at the potential new Role Queue system that was mentioned by Jeff Kaplan, this could be a complicated thing to put in place. We'll be forced to have the choice among a small panel of heroes. Strategies can be put in place to prevent the opposing team to have a shield tank, or a sniper, or even a healing zone... This system would greatly reduce the freedom of character choice we currently have. It seems complicated to bring the pick and ban in the next 3-2-1 composition...
Even if we take into account that 6 bans are possible in the game instead of 12 (i.e. one per person), the choice of healers or even tanks would be very quickly limited. We don't know yet if the 3-2-1 or the pick and ban will be available in Overwatch.