Blizzard's current "Quickplay Hacked" event in Overwatch features a new limited-time mode, 1-3-2 flex, which attempts to blend characteristics of the game's 5v5 format with the previously dominant 6v6 structure. This mode allows teams to field one tank, three damage heroes, and two support heroes, with the caveat that one of the damage players can switch to tank.
The intention behind this experimental mode appears to be retaining the shorter queue times associated with 5v5 while reintroducing the larger team skirmishes characteristic of 6v6. However, early playtesting suggests this compromise is fundamentally flawed.
The Two-Tank Advantage
In practice, the 1-3-2 flex mode quickly revealed a significant imbalance: teams opting for two tanks consistently outperformed those with only one. This is largely due to how the mode balances tank roles. When two tanks are present, their health pools and abilities are tuned down to compensate for the increased presence of the role. This adjustment, however, leaves a solo tank player at a severe disadvantage.
Players reported matches where a team running two tanks easily pushed objectives against a solo-tank opponent. The tide often turned when the losing team flexed to a two-tank composition, successfully stalling the payload. Facing two tanks as a solo tank proved exceptionally difficult, as any mistake made by one enemy tank could be immediately covered by the other, leaving little room for the solo tank to capitalize on openings.
The only reliable way to win against a standard 2-2-2 composition within the 1-3-2 framework was through superior individual player skill, an inconsistent factor for consistent team success. Without fail, matches where one team was short a tank resulted in a loss.
This dynamic renders the 1-3-2 flex mode largely redundant. The inherent advantage of having two tanks suggests that this configuration will almost always be superior. Consequently, the 1-3-2 option becomes superfluous, with its only potential benefit being slightly reduced queue times compared to a traditional 6v6 format.
Prioritizing Direction
The 1-3-2 flex mode does not appear to be the solution to the ongoing debate between Overwatch's 5v5 and 6v6 formats. The two structures are fundamentally distinct, offering different gameplay experiences that are difficult to reconcile. While 6v6 can provide chaotic fun, many players prefer the 5v5 format for its emphasis on individual impact and the rewarding of deliberate, skillful play where mistakes are more readily punished.
Ultimately, it seems Overwatch should continue to prioritize its current 5v5 direction, which many feel is a better fit for the game's present state. Although 6v6 should remain available for players who prefer it, a compromise format like the one trialed in the hacked mode is unlikely to succeed, potentially resulting in the worst aspects of both gameplay styles.