Hello everyone, I’m here to pitch an idea to rework Symmetra one last time into an actually viable, non-healing Support hero as she should have always been.
This rework combines concepts and ideas from both 2.0 and 3.0 Symmetra and I don’t think it would be that big of a rework to make happen as much as it would be more of reverting certain things which I know Blizzard isn’t to keen on… But still, many of my Symmetra brethren have tried our hardest to make this current iteration of her work as a DPS hero but whether you like it or not she is still largely a Support hero. Blizzard needs to just make her the devoted defensive / support hero she has always been intended to be and aside from recoding (Which is a lot of work, resources and time) actually having the concepts to make her work wouldn’t be too hard because by combining aspects of 2.0 and 3.0 they could create the final version they’ve been failing to create.
Please read on and let me know what you think and offer your input.
Hero Changes:
- Changed from Damage to Support role
Comments: Symmetra will function as a non-healing Support that offers her team various utility support options. Her only emphasis on damage will be directed at protecting allies with her lock-on beam and sentry turrets as well as energy ball projectiles.
- New Passive: Improved Shields
Symmetra’s personal shield HP regenerates after not taking damage for 1.5 seconds instead of 3 seconds.
This effect can be granted to teammates with the use of a Shield Generator.
Comments: All heroes should eventually get a passive in my opinion. Symmetra is no different. This passive gives Symmetra more survivability by giving her personal shield HP better regeneration. This can be further applied to her teammates should she choose to create a Shield Generator.
- Primary Fire: Photon Projector
• Reverted to previous lock-on beam form
• Damage: 40/60/120
• Magazine size increased from 70 back to 100
• No longer reloads off of barriers
• No longer clips through walls. If line of sight is broken, disconnects immediately
Comments: Bringing back her close range lock-on beam gives Symmetra a reliable close range weapon capable of defending herself and allies from slippery flankers.
- Alternate Fire: Energy Ball
• Unchanged
Comments: The one part of the recent rework that has been a huge success in my opinion. Her current Energy Ball projectiles are great at all ranges but specifically medium to long range. This covers Photon Projector’s lack of range and the two would have a symbiotic relationship with each other.
- Shift Ability: Sentry Turret
• Sentry Turret count increased from 3 to 6
• HP per turret increased from 30 to 50
• DPS per turret reduced from 50 to 20
• Slow inflicted per turret: -20%
• Revert cast animation but remove self slow when placing Sentries
• Sentry Turret Placement range: 25 meters (Same as Teleporter placement range)
Comments: These changes make Sentry Turrets more durable but much less weaker individually. Moreso than pre-rework actually (25 DPS). The goal is to have both some quantity and quality. 50 HP makes Sentries that much harder to take out. Instead Sentries should be used to lock down an area or be spread out for warding/ coverage. More sentries = more options.
Additionally the old cast animation would be brought back with a greatly increased placement range so that the player can intricately place Sentries where they want them rather than having them clip onto edges they didn’t intend like they do now.
- E Ability: Construct
Build one of three constructs: Teleporter, Shield Generator or Photon Barrier.
Teleporter
• Create a Teleporter
• Same stats as current 3.0 Teleporter
Shield Generator
• Create a Shield Generator
• +25 Shield HP to Symmetra and allies within range of Shield Generator
• Range: 25 meters
• Same placement range as Teleporter (25 meters)
Photon Barrier
• Create a personal barrier
• Same stats as 2.0 Photon Barrier; stationary
Duration (For all constructs): 10 seconds
Cooldown: 12 seconds
Comments: Construct gives Symmetra access to multiple utility options all of which she can use and switch up depending on the situation. Construct gives Symmetra the ability to function as a non-healing “utility” support in the fast pace of Overwatch.
All build options are tied to the same duration and cooldown so the player must be wise in which constructs they decide to use but over all, Symmetra would have a much greater impact and lasting presence the longer she can stay on the field to keep supporting her allies with constructs.
- Ultimate Ability: Greater Construct
Build a “perfect” version of one of your Constructs.
Greater Construct allows Symmetra to build the “Ultimate” version of her Constructs.
Teleporter
• Creates a portal that connects to spawn; allies who use it will be teleported to wherever Symmetra placed Teleporter’s exit. Has same maximum 25 meter placement range as Teleporter ability.
• 6 charges
• Lasts until destroyed or used up
• 500 Total HP (150 HP / 350 Shield HP)
Shield Generator
• Creates a Shield Generator; Has same maximum 25 meter placement range as Teleporter ability.
• +75 Shield HP to Symmetra and allies within range of Shield Generator
• Range: 50 meters
• Lasts until destroyed
• 600 Total HP (200 HP / 400 Shield HP)
Photon Barrier
• Creates an infinitely spanning barrier wall
• HP: 5000
• Duration: 15 seconds
Additional facts on Greater Construct:
• Ultimate cost reverted from 1500 to 1000
• Greater Constructs and Constructs can be stacked
eg. Both Shield Generator variants can be active at the same time for a total of +100 Shield HP (Mini Shield Generator will need constant replacement however).
• Teammates can see friendly Constructs, Greater Constructs and Sentry Turrets through walls via markers; additionally they can see when they are taking damage.
This concludes the rework concept.
Thank you for reading ALL of that. It was a lot lol.
Anyways, I feel like most loyal Symmetra players can agree we want our utilitarian, Indian support goddess back. It isn’t just the lock-on beam that many of us miss but also the niche utilities in Shield Generator and Photon Barrier as well as locking down certain areas with a whole slew of Sentry Turrets.
With 3.0 I feel like Blizzard didn’t entirely miss the mark. Some great things have come out of this “Damage” Symmetra rework such as Teleporter as a regular ability and the new Energy Ball and Photon Barrier ult. I just think they’re forcing her to be something she most definitely is not. She’s meant to be a Support, even now. Most of her kit screams support and you can’t really deny it. I just want to see a version of Symmetra where we have all forms of utilitarian support from 2.0 AND 3.0 and really give her that true builder vibe. I mean heck, with this recent rework she feels like even less of a builder than she did before and had options taken away from her which feels counter-intuitive to her design.
Let me know what you all think. Thank you again for reading and remember to please stay positive and on topic.
I am especially curious to know what my fellow Symmetra mains think of a rework like this or if you guys really prefer her current iteration and think it’s working.
But again EVERYONE is welcome to discuss and I want to hear it all so fire away and light this topic up.