Overwatch lovers just got a preview of the game’s newest hero, Ashe. Ashe is a damage hero and a gunslinger with a shotgun rifle. Blizzard introduced Ashe via the animated short “Reunion,” which also stars Overwatch’s resident Western-themed hero, McCree, at this year’s Blizzcon.
An explosive train robbery gives McCree the chance to settle some unfinished business with a few former associates.
Watch REUNION now! pic.twitter.com/n6NTRvvPMw
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) November 2, 2018
They also released an intro video for the hero, which shows each of her abilities, including an ultimate where a robot named B.O.B. appears to help her fight.
Introducing Ashe—leader of the Deadlock Gang and rebellious gunslinger who's not afraid to get her hands dirty.
Learn more @ https://t.co/XhKgOJGPNV pic.twitter.com/GoZXm0JbZt
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) November 2, 2018
If you’ve watched the video, then you probably feel it too: Ashe is giving us Big Dyke Energy. That asymmetrical cut? The dyed hair? The long pants and coat??? She is serving me Patricia Arquette “Kissin’ Kate Barlow” in Holes and I’m the opposite of mad about it.
This is the third Blizzcon in a row where Overwatch added a very queer woman to the game. Last year, the game added scientist healer character Moira to its roster and the year before that, the very very queer Sombra was introduced. (Obvs, queer women rule Blizzcon.)
Culture, unfiltered
Our newsletter will bring you the pulse of queer culture, from the tastemakers to the groundbreakers.
A lot of people, especially queer Overwatch fans, were excited to welcome Ashe.
BREAKING: based on my twitter feed, everyone is gay for Ashe
— Simone de Rochefort (@doomquasar) November 2, 2018
ASHE OR BOB?
OR BOTH!
YES BOTH! pic.twitter.com/3YBKcwPc6H
— Stylosa (@Stylosa) November 2, 2018
https://twitter.com/MicaBurton/status/1058441103077081088
https://twitter.com/videodante/status/1058437597695864832
https://twitter.com/funkiedealer/status/1058440202631503877
Blizzcon has blessed us with lesbian heroes every year since 2016. Thanks for the food Blizzard! pic.twitter.com/YD0uC0lPFT
— zyria – remade (@n0itceffa) November 2, 2018
ashe is 39 yrs old and shes a wealthy and respected outlaw??? we love an independent woman! pic.twitter.com/ne4z7siDiZ
— nika (@malvadaism) November 2, 2018
While it’s great to see another woman on the roster, many fans were upset that Overwatch continued to release characters without introducing a playable Black female character.
https://twitter.com/OhHeyDJ/status/1058436649569333248
https://twitter.com/laevantine/status/1058439986704515074
https://twitter.com/taeilbian/status/1058440731344494592
https://twitter.com/baebaedels/status/1058442332369027074
https://twitter.com/sufjanjr/status/1058445003104624640
Currently, the most prominent Black woman in the game’s lore is Elfi Oladele, the 11-year-old Numbani inventor who created Orisa, a 1-month old robot who is not, no matter what some geek on the internet says, proper representation for a Black woman in the Overwatch world.
Welcome to the party, Ashe! And Overwatch: invite a Black woman to the party — soon.
