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Vendetta is the 45th hero of Overwatch. She was playable from November 26 to December 1, 2025, before becoming fully playable in Season 20.[2]

Overview

Vendetta Hero Selection

Vendetta is a dive-focused Damage Hero who takes big risks for big rewards. She needs to really commit when she engages, but if you can make the most of her mobility, speed, and unique defensive mechanic, she becomes a terrifying threat to squishy backline heroes.[4][5][6]

Vendetta has a high skill ceiling. Her mobility can also unintentionally be a trap, goading overzealous attackers into jumping directly into the action without an escape plan.[3]

Abilities

Role: Damage
Hero-ability-circle
Role Damage Circle
Type
Passive Ability
Damaging an enemy temporarily reduces their healing received.
Healing modification:
-30% received (non-tanks)
-15% received (tanks)
Duration:
3 seconds

Additional details:
  • Does not stack with itself or the passive from another damage role hero.
  • Stacks multiplicatively with other modifiers that affect healing received.
  • Objects that deal damage, such as turrets, may also apply the effect.
  • Self-damage does not apply the effect.

6v6 details:
  • No longer has reduced effectiveness for tank heroes.

Onslaught
Hero-ability-circle
Vendetta onslaught 1
Type
Passive Ability
Strike enemies to increase movement and attack speed.
Rate of fire:
+5% (per stack)
Duration:
5.5 seconds
Mov. speed buff:
+4% (per stack)

Additional details:
  • Stacks additively, up to 5 times. All stacks are lost at once when the duration expires.
  • Activated by Palatine Fang, Projected Edge, Whirlwind Dash, Soaring Slice, Sundering Blade, Quick melee Quick Melee and environmental eliminations.
  • Does not trigger from hitting deployables, including Ability-ashe4 B.O.B..
  • Also speeds up the cast time of Projected Edge Projected Edge.
  • Unlike Passive-Zarya Energy, Onslaught does not reset to 0 upon death. Ability-mercy5 Resurrect restores the number of Onslaught stacks accrued with the remaining time prior to being eliminated. The timer still ticks while not alive.

Palatine Fang
Key mouse 1
Hero-ability-circle
Palantine fang
Type
Weapon
Hard-light greatsword. Combo swings to end with a destructive overhead slash.
Damage:
45 (swing)
130 (overhead strike)
Headshot:
Rate of fire:
1.18 swings/s (average at 0 stacks)
Duration:
0.75 seconds (combo input delay)
Max. range:
4.3 meters (swing)
6.8 meters (overhead critical)
Movement speed:
12.8 m/s (midair overhead launch)
40 m/s (midair overhead plunge)
ability critical
melee

Additional details:
  • Every third swing with the Palatine Fang within the combo threshold will become an Overhead Strike.
    • Overhead Strike damage is critical.
    • If airborne, including just jumping from the ground, Overhead Strike will cause Vendetta to leap forward about 4.6 meters.
      • After the leap, Vendetta will fall with increased gravity.
    • If the enemy is airborn when hit with the overhead slash, they will fall with increased gravity.[7]
    • Overhead strike can be canceled by using Warding Stance Warding Stance.
  • Swing timings are as follows:
    • 1st swing: 0.4s startup + 0.28s recovery
    • 2nd swing: 0.2s startup + 0.3s recovery
    • Overhead: 0.64s startup + 0.74s recovery
  • All abilities, except Quick melee Quick Melee, can be used to cancel recovery animation.

Keywords:
ability critical
Deals bonus damage in an Area of Effect or under specific conditions.
melee
A short range physical attack that can hit multiple enemies. Pierces Barriers and Negate Projectile. Blocked by Ignore Melee abilities.

Warding Stance
Key mouse 2
Hero-ability-circle
Warding Stance
0.5 seconds
Type
Ability
Block with your sword, reducing frontal damage and deflecting melee attacks. Blocking damage depletes energy.
Energy:
40% of incoming damage (cost)
9% per second (regen rate)
Dmg. reduction:
-75% taken
Cast time:
None
Duration:
0.34 seconds (min duration)
0.75 seconds (energy regen delay)
View angle:
106.3 degrees (damage reduction)
Mov. speed penalty:
-30%
channeled
energy
ignore melee

Additional details:
  • Can block 250 damage maximum, which chunks 62.5hp off your health bar
  • Only depletes energy when taking damage, but energy does not regenerate while Warding Stance is up.
  • Energy cost is based on the raw damage of the attack, before any damage reductions.
  • Must have at least 30% energy remaining to start blocking, however dropping below 30% while already blocking will not end the ability.
  • When an instance of damage reduces energy to zero, it will still be reduced in full.
  • It takes ~11.1 seconds for Warding Stance to fully recharge.
  • The lines in the energy bar correspond to 30% and 60% of max energy.
  • Using any abilities, except Quick melee Quick Melee, will interrupt blocking.

Keywords:
channeled
A continuous action that ends prematurely when interrupted by Hacked, Sleep, or Stun.
energy
Uses a bespoke resource. Not affected by cooldown reduction.
ignore melee
Ignores Melee and Extended Melee attacks.

Projected Edge
Key mouse 2
Key mouse 1
Hero-ability-circle
Projected Edge
Type
Ability
Available when Warding Stance is active. Consume energy to fire a wide projectile.
Damage:
70
Headshot:
Energy:
30% (cost)
Cast time:
0.43 + 0.45 seconds
Projectile speed:
37 m/s
Projectile radius:
0.2 meters (inner)
1.235 meters (outer)
energy
piercing
travel time

Additional details:
  • Causes Vendetta to stop blocking for approximately 1.1 seconds.
  • Vendetta onslaught 1 Onslaught speeds up the cast time of Projected Edge.
  • The projectile has a 0.2 meter inner radius for collision against barriers and terrain-like deployables, such as Tree of Life Icon Tree of Life. If only the outer edge of the projectile hits, it will not be blocked and it damages the deployable.
    • Always pierces heroes and other kinds of deployables.
  • Recovery time for Whirlwind Dash Whirlwind Dash and Soaring Slice Soaring Slice is lower at 0.25 seconds, instead of the usual 0.35 seconds

Keywords:
energy
Uses a bespoke resource. Not affected by cooldown reduction.
piercing
Ranged attacks and healing that can pierce heroes.
travel time
Projectile attacks and healing with travel time. Can be Negated.

Whirlwind Dash
LSHIFT
Hero-ability-circle
Whirlwind Dash
10 seconds
Type
Ability
Rush forward into a circular slash.
Damage:
70 - 35
Falloff range:
3.5 - 6.5 meters
Headshot:
Cast time:
0.1 + 0 seconds
Duration:
0.6 seconds
Max. range:
11.4 meters
Radius:
6.5 meters
4 meters (height)
Mov. speed buff:
+280%
Knockback speed:
17.7 m/s (impact)
5.8 m/s (whirlwind)
area of effect
collide
evasive
melee
movement

Additional details:
  • The blade spin has a small knockback effect.
  • The rush forward has a large narrow knockback effect, similar to being indirectly hit by Reinhardt's Ability-reinhardt3 Charge.
  • The rush always moves horizontally, and Vendetta is not affected by gravity while rushing.
  • Stacks additionally with other movement speed buffs. Does not count toward global movement speed cap.
  • If Whirlwind Dash collides with Rocket punch Rocket Punch, Shield Bash Shield Bash, a charging Ability-ashe4 B.O.B., Ability-reinhardt3 Charge, or another Vendetta using Whirlwind Dash Whirlwind Dash, both participants get knocked down for 1.7 seconds.

Keywords:
area of effect
Affects targets in an area.
collide
When two abilities with this property clash, both heroes suffer Knockdown.
evasive
Can pass through enemy heroes and does not block movement.
melee
A short range physical attack that can hit multiple enemies. Pierces Barriers and Negate Projectile. Blocked by Ignore Melee abilities.
movement
An ability that grants the hero enhanced movement that ends prematurely when interrupted by Hacked, Hinder, Sleep, and Stun.

Soaring Slice
E
Hero-ability-circle
Soaring Slice
6 seconds
Type
Ability
Hurl your sword in the direction you are facing and then fly to it.
Damage:
50
Headshot:
Cast time:
0.3 + 0.1 seconds
Duration:
0.5 seconds (throw)
Max. range:
15 meters
Movement speed:
12.8 m/s (midair overhead launch)
5 m/s (jump cancel)
Projectile speed:
30 m/s
Projectile radius:
0.92 meters
barrier collide
evasive
jump cancel
movement
strong projectile

Additional details:
  • Vendetta respawns with this ability on cooldown.
  • The next attack after Soaring Slice and before touching the ground will become an Overhead strike.
    • Triggering the Overhead strike allows Vendetta to change directions while midair.
  • Cancelling immediately with jump (or aiming at the ground) allows Vendetta to get a free Overhead strike without changing position much, allowing her to combo two Overhead strikes on the same target.

Keywords:
barrier collide
Collides with Barriers but damage and effects applied by this attack Pierce Barriers and heroes.
evasive
Can pass through enemy heroes and does not block movement.
jump cancel
This ability can be ended early by jumping for bonus movement.
movement
An ability that grants the hero enhanced movement that ends prematurely when interrupted by Hacked, Hinder, Sleep, and Stun.
strong projectile
A projectile that cannot be Negated.

Sundering Blade
Q
Hero-ability-circle
Sundering Blade
2400 points
Type
Ultimate Ability
Cleave through most defenses, dealing severe damage to enemies in front of you.
Damage:
100/50 (direct/indirect stage 1)
200/100 (direct/indirect stage 2)
400/200 (direct/indirect stage 3)
Headshot:
Cast time:
0.38 + 0.68 seconds
Duration:
1 second (charge time per stage)
4 seconds (max)
Max. range:
8/16/24 meters (stage 1/2/3)
Radius:
2.1/2.8/3.2 meters (stage 1/2/3)
2.5 meters (direct hit)
Movement speed:
2.5 m/s (max while in the air)
Mov. speed penalty:
-50% (ground)
Knockback speed:
40 m/s
area of effect
armor piercing
barrier piercing
channeled
flight
sunder

Additional details:
  • Pierces barriers, ignores damage reduction, destroys overhealth before dealing damage, and deals full damage to Bubbled (Ability-zarya2 Particle/Projected Barrier and Adaptive Barrier Adaptive Barrier) enemies if the Bubble is destroyed.
  • Deals 50% of deployables' max health as damage, plus the extra damage charged by the ultimate.
  • The charge progresses a stage every 1 second, up to stage 3. Each stage increases the damage and area of the slash.
    • Once stage 3 has been reached, spending more time charging has no benefit.
    • Will automatically fire when 4 seconds have expired.
  • Vendetta is not affected by gravity while charging.
    • Vendetta has 60% knockback resistance while in the air
    • When complete, Vendetta will fall faster than gravity and the cleave will hit the ground.
  • Secondary fire provides a small camera angle change.
  • Sundering Blade counts as an Overhead Strike for cases like Siphoning Strike that grant lifesteal.

Keywords:
area of effect
Affects targets in an area.
armor piercing
Deals damage to Armor as if it were Health.
barrier piercing
Pierces Barriers and heroes.
channeled
A continuous action that ends prematurely when interrupted by Hacked, Sleep, or Stun.
flight
Grants free movement and is temporarily disabled by Hacked, Hinder, Sleep, and Stun.
sunder
Ignores Damage Reduction, destroys Overhealth before dealing damage, and deals full damage to Bubbled heroes if the Bubble is destroyed.

Perks

Minor Perks

A Minor Perk is unlocked at level 2.

Siphoning Strike
Hero-ability-circle
Siphoning Strike
Type
Minor Perk
Overhead strikes gain 40% Lifesteal.
Healing:
40% of damage dealt

Additional details:
  • Results in 52 healing without damage modifications.

Relentless
Hero-ability-circle
Perk Relentless Icon
Type
Minor Perk
Onslaught can stack 3 more times, increasing attack speed by 5% and movement speed by 4% per stack.

    Major perks

    A Major Perk is unlocked at level 3.

    Swift Vengeance
    Hero-ability-circle
    Perk Swift Vengence Icon
    Type
    Major Perk
    Last player to land a killing blow on you becomes a target. Eliminate the target to gain 150 overhealth and reset cooldowns.
    Overhealth:
    150
    Duration:
    60 seconds

    Additional details:
    • Overhealth decays over 6 seconds at the end of the duration.

    Raging Storm
    Hero-ability-circle
    Perk Raging Storm Icon
    Type
    Major Perk
    Whirlwind Dash continues to spin, hitting 3 more times for 40 damage in a wide area.
    Damage:
    35
    Headshot:

    Additional details:
    • First hit happens after 0.3 second delay and the following two after 0.45 second delay each.
    • The spin can be canceled by pressing primary fire.
    • Hits from Raging Storm also grant Onslaught stacks.

    Story

    tumb
    tumb

    Vendetta, the She-Wolf of Retaliation (Italian: "La Lupa Della Ritorsione") is a gladiator at Colosseo.[8] Having carved out her place among the arena’s elite, she cuts down enemies with ruthless, regal precision. Beneath the surface, her ambitions run deeper. Each gladiatorial victory is a calculated step towards something greater.[4] Amid the roars of the Colosseo crowd, she steps into the spotlight...and she's not going anywhere without a fight.[3]

    Vendetta's quest for power is transparrent.[9] She makes no effort to hide her true nature.[10] She wields her anger like a blade, and will destroy anything that stands in her way. For her, everything is about spectacle; a combination of actor and fighter, possessed of complete confidence. She has known loss and injustice. Has been both respected and disrespected. She wants power, but remembers what it is to be without it. She knows what it is to be hungry and hurt, and she will never allow herself to forget.[1] As both a member of high society and a gladiator, she has learnt to balance both worlds. Experience has taught her to not rush in, just swinging a sword, and to always play both sides to her advantage.[10]

    Background

    Childhood

    Marzia as a child

    Marzia as a child

    Marzia Bartalotti was born as the sole child of Antonio Bartalotti.[3] She lost her mother at a young age.[9] She was initially a wild and reckless child, but Antonio tempered her more reckless instincts as he raised her. This included teaching her to hunt and play chess.[2] He installed in her great pride in her heritage and encouraged her ambition.[9]

    Even in her youth, Marzia was temperamental. She found few friends among her peers and clashed with her father about the consequences of his decisions on her life, including the loss of her mother. Fustrated that her father's hubris might put her own future at risk, Marzia studied his business, preparing herself to inherit his empire.[9] However, while she wanted to be part of her father's business, Antonio wanted a different life for her.[1] Antonio genuinely loved his daughter, and was kind to her, but he wanted her to be able to channel her emotions; to be smart and clever. Even then, Marzia could see her father making mistakes, and knew they would be his downfall.[10]

    One day, she interrupted a meeting between him and Akande Ogundimu. Caught off-guard, Antonio introduced her to him.[1] She learnt early on to never underestimate an enemy.[3]

    The Venice Incident

    When her father was assassinated by Blackwatch in an operation in Venice.[11] Marzia's worst fears became manifest.[9] She bitterly noted that her father's death had reinforced what she already knew—to never underestimate an enemy.[3][2] With Antonio's death, his dealings were exposed.[9] Marzia was denied her inheritance,[12] and Talon seized her accounts, assets, and allies. Ogundimu gave away her position on Talon's inner council to Augusto Vialli,[1] who had previously served as Antonio's right hand.[9] Marzia was aghast—she had done everything right (at least in her own opinion), yet Talon had taken everything away regardless.[10]

    The bitterness over her loss, and what was denied to her, never went away.[3] But it did teach Marzia a lesson—play both sides, don't rush in, and make alliances with the right people.[10] Tired of being underestimated, she set herself on the path to reclaiming her birthright by force.[2]

    Gladiator

    Early Battles

    Look at them, papa. Look at them. I wish you were here to see their faces. The crowd. The lights. The spectacle. I've become quite a celebrity in the Colosseo. They have chosen me. They call me La Lupa, "The Wolf." And I'm their villain. At first, I hated it. Their cheers and jeers reminded me of the sycophants you surrounded yourself with. Weak men who leeched off of your greatness, picking the bones of everything you built. Leaving me with nothing. Surrounded by my enemies. Alone. But you were preparing me for this, weren't you, Papa? In your way, you showed me that fear was a weapon. You helped me temper my wild and reckless nature with patience and guile. Taught me the value in knowing my enemy, in learning to turn their greatest strengths...into their weaknesses. Even in death...you showed me the consequences of underestimating an adversary. I promise you, I won't repeat your mistakes. Look at me, Papa. This is no longer the face of your little girl. Your enemies are still my enemies, but I am so much more than you had the chance to see. My recklessness is now focused rage, and I've finally embraced what I once hated. I am the Wolf. I am La Lupa. They're right to fear me. They will respect me! This arena, this mob, this moment, is all just a means to an end. Every lesson, every loss, has been tallied and recorded. I will take back everything that was stolen from us. And I will use them to do it.
    ~ Vendetta's reflections
    Marzia, now a gladiator

    Marzia, now a gladiator

    Driven by spite and determined to prove her worth, Marzia dedicated herself to training to become a fighter in the Colosseo’s gladiator games,[9] despite her background as a member of high society.[10] She wanted all of Italy to know what she was capable of. She set out to be feared and respected for her strength, with grand plans to dominate her enemies inside and outside the arena.[9]

    Marzia became a gladiator, and became known as "Vendetta,"[12] earning the moniker through her persistence, natural skill, and cutthroat persona.[9] She carved out a legacy for herself in the only way she knew how—through blade and fury.[12] She doggedly competed in all manner of competition and seized victory every time.[9]

    In the context of the gladiatorial matches of Colosseo, she became known as a villain. She hated it at first; the cheers and jeers of the crowd reminded her of the sycophants that her father had surrounded himself with.[2] Nevertheless, she clawed her way into legend through the brutal world of arena combat. With every victory, her influence grew. Outside the arena however, whispers of her past continued to proliferate.[4]

    Vendetta accumulated enough money to create the Palatine Fang; a weapon composed of hard-light, albeit "supercharged."[13]

    Vendetta had her share of wins and losses within the arena. She turned her former recklessness into focused rage. A key turning point was when she managed to defeat a massive warbot. While she'd had her share of admirers and detractors up to this point, this victory sealed her popularity. "Vendetta!" the crowd cried, over and over. Despite the adoration, Vendetta was indifferent. The mob, the moment, it was all a means to an end. She would take back what was stolen from she and her father, and she would use the mob to do it.[2]

    Outside of the games, she grew her wealth and built connections across Italy. In time, she earned the title of Colosseo Champion and became known across Italy as La Lupa Della Ritorsione: "The Wolf of Retribution."[2]

    Climbing the Ranks

    Over time, Vendetta developed her own style of showmanship. When she entered a fight, she would allow herself to be hit, then come back twice as strong, defeating her opponent. Her fights would generally follow this arc. Whether intentional or not, this fighting style mimicked her history of losing everything, yet crawling back to claim victory.[10]

    Vendetta enjoys the high life

    Vendetta enjoys the high life

    Vendetta climbed the ranks and earned a place among Colosseo's elite,[4] and her imposing silhouette decorated the walls of the Arena Victoriae.[3] Colosseo sponsorships became partnerships. Her fame[9] and dominance in the arena elevated her to legendary status and helped her gain power and influence as a member of Europe's elite.[3] She applied what she learnt from her father when it came to negotiations and building alliances.[10] She gained assets, allies, and a network of her own. Some in Europe's elite were willing to work with her, as proximity to Colosseo's most famous gladiator was valuable for some people in high places.[1] Gambling and rigged matches behind the scenes at the Colosseo gave her a wealth of information to use as blackmail. Many newcomers to the Colosseo idolized Vendetta’s relentless nature and swore to follow her lead. Throughout it all, she still kept an eye on Talon, watching Vialli lead it to ruin, and Ogundimu fail to capitalize on its potential.[9]

    One day, while in the arena's VIP (or similar) section, she crossed paths with a Talon council member. He helped finance her next match in exchange for her to put in a good word with her other sponsors.[1]

    After Ogundimu was arrested by Overwatch in Singapore, Vendetta decided to attack Talon's base in Venice. The attack failed, but over the following years, Talon's power waned, while hers continued to grow. Years later, Ogundimu escaped from his confinement at HSI, and reclaimed his position as head of Talon. Vendetta declared that this was her moment. No more time wasted on meaningless opponents, it was time to strike back at her true enemies.[1] She used her influence to seize back some of the territory her father had once overseen,[9] and set up a meeting with the Talon council member she had met with years ago, but killed him to send a message to the organization.[1]

    Vendetta dreamt of building her own empire. One stronger than her father could have ever imagined.[10] Her rise didn't go unnoticed within Talon, and she was shrouded in controversy. As she fought to build her own empire, she forged powerful allegiances that position her to be a threat not just to Talon, but the entire world.[9]

    Achievements

    Name Icon Description Reward
    Torn Asunder
    [[File:|100px|link=]] Kill 3 enemies with a single use of Sundering Blade in Quick or Competitive Play.
    Spray Vendetta Cute
    Cute
    Endless Fury
    [[File:|100px|link=]] Have 5 stacks of Onslaugh for 30 seconds in a row.
    Spray Vendetta Pixel
    Pixel

    Trivia

    • A recurring motif for Vendetta is being underestimated.[3]
    • According to Jude Stacey, Vendetta is explicitly a villain within the context of the Overwatch storyline.[3]
    • Vendetta's voice actor Chiara Preziosi also voices her in the Italian dubbing.
    • In addition to her English lines, Vendetta speaks both Latin and Italian. Some of the Latin phrases are taken verbatim from the Roman Empire.[13]
    • In a promotional email for Vendetta, she was stated to have been thrown into the fighting pits of Colosseo.[12]

    Cultural References

    • Vendetta's title of "She-Wolf" is a reference to the wolf that raised the mythological founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus.[3]
    • She Wolf is a 2009 song by Shakira. Vendetta's title was seen by some as a reference to the song.[14]
    • Vendetta's sandals feature paw prints, harkening back to the wolf that raised Romulus and Remus.[13]
    • When using her ultimate, Vendetta's eyes glow red. This is another wolf reference.[13]
    • Vendetta's skin recolors are named after Roman building materials.[13]
    • Vendetta's name, Marzia, is possibly derived from Mars, the Roman god of war.

    Development

    Vendetta's name, look, voice, and some story elements were revealed on November 17, 2025.[15] Many Roman Empire references were incorporated into her appearance and abilities.[13]

    Character Development

    Early concept art

    Early concept art

    When designing Vendetta, Team 4 had a choice of making her a protagonist or antagonist. One iteration of Vendetta painted her as a gladiator who defended Italian citizens during Null Sector's attacks. However, it was chosen to make her a villain. Jude Stacey took point in developing Vendetta's story after this choice, as in her words, "it's [making her a villain] way cooler."[3] She pitched Vendetta as being "a true villain."[1] Part of the rationale was that it had been awhile since a villain hero had been introduced. Stacey developed Vendetta's personality, and in her words, "There was no waffling or trying to convince people she’s evil. It just flowed." Although Vendetta was written to be explicitly a villain, she was written to be able to have players see themselves in her actions and narrative.[3]

    Concept art

    Concept art

    Stacey was given free reign to shape Vendetta's character and backstory.[10] She wanted Vendetta to have rage, ambition, absolute belief in the strength and value of herself above all others. While these are common villain traits, Stacey felt they were under-represented in female antagonists, for whom such emotions were treated as weaknesses. She designed Vendetta to be a character for whom hatred and pain is empowering, and to be a villain who people would "love to hate." She set out guidelines for writers to use when writing for the character. These rules were as follows:[1]

    1. Vendetta does not ask questions, but demands answers
    2. She does not allow interruptions, and rarely cuts herself short
    3. All of her dialogue is spoken as if addressing an audience[1]
    Concept art

    Concept art

    When developing Vendetta's backstory, Stacey was instructed to harken back to earlier Overwatch lore; good vs. evil, heroes vs. villains, etc. She took inspiration from the events of Retribution, and the development of her backstory followed. As her backstory was developed further, she became a greater threat over time, going from gladiator, to someone who had what it took to challenge Talon.[1]

    The developers knew they wanted to create a sturdy hero, and looked at art of crusaders, gladiators, and other heavy-hitter concepts to guide them. Three entirely different prototypes were made for the hero that would later become Vendetta. One was a long-range hitscan, another was a midrange assassin, and the last was a close-range melee DPS hero. The melee version was deemed the most compelling, and it offered the clearest potential for Team 4 to do something they'd been craving for a long time; to make a hero that swung a really big sword. In this context, the developers derived inspiration from various pieces of fiction, from old-school video game franchises to anime classics starring heroes who wield massive weapons.[3]

    Concept art

    Concept art

    For years prior to the development of Vendetta, Team 4's narrative team had been asked to create a hero with Italian roots. Vendetta offered the chance to capitalize on that request while fleshing out what the world looks like in the late 21st century. While the Italy of this period had been glimpsed at through maps such as Colosseo and Arena Victoriae, Vendetta's story will delve into "the nitty gritty" of the country. When designing her, the narrative team took inspiration from the opulence, glory, and dominance of the Roman Empire (with help from the Italian localization team) to flesh out everything from her weaponry to her voice lines. Various voice lines were created in sync with the Italian localization team for authenticity.[3]

    When auditioning for Vendetta, the following casting monologue was used:

    Earning the title of champion might be enough for a man, but a wolf cannot fill its body with accolades. Know that our battle tonight is the first of many, and that my victory foreshadows a greater conquest. There will be war in our lifetime, and I will not rest until I have seen it through.[1]

    Gameplay Development

    While Vendetta's early design was akin to a crusader in heavy armor, her design was shifted to a more recognizable silhouette. This change motivated Team 4 to design a hero that would combine agility with heavy-hitting melee damage. While other melee heroes already existed in the game such as Reinhardt and Brigitte, Vendetta was designed to have more aggression in her combat style.[3]

    Teasers

    Prior to official confirmation, Vendetta was known as "XLV" from a poster in Colosseo. Various hints pointed to XLV being "Hero 45":

    • XLV is "45" in Roman numerals. This was very likely a hint towards the individual the poster was referring to being Hero 45, as at the time of the poster's reveal on the Arena Victoriae map, up to 44 heroes had either been released or revealed in Overwatch 2.
    • When Freja and Wuyang were teased, fans noticed a doodle of an angry female knight holding a massive sword, which perked the entire community up.[14] While Vendetta hasn't been depicted with a shield, her sword can be found on display in the Arena Victoriae map.[16]
    • Aaron Keller has hinted that Hero 45 was teased in the aforementioned teaser. During a stream, Keller confirmed that Team 4 was considering a "giant sword hero."[17]
    • For April Fools 2025, a line of Brigitte's bio was changed to "gladiators gonna gladiate." This was seen by some as a possible hint of a gladiator-themed hero.[14]
    The silhouette

    The silhouette

    • In Reconciliation, a silhouette appears in the comic that appears to be Vendetta. The comic indicates she has a history with Talon, with the quote "Talon's problems will become the world's problems."
    • Two Streamer Mode names, VIVALALUPA and xXLaCaMpIoNeSsAXx are likely references to Vendetta, as she seems to be based on the Roman myth La Lupa and is a female champion (campionessa in Italian).
    Vendetta walking in , where the statue of Magnus, “the eternal champion” once was

    Vendetta walking in Arena Victoriae, where the statue of Magnus, “the eternal champion” once was

    • The season 19 launch trailer included a teaser at the end. The teaser showed a woman (now confirmed to be Vendetta) walking in Arena Victoriae who then said "Ready yourselves for war!".[18]
    • The developer update released shortly after the launch trailer had a section where the developers talked about the next hero. Not much was revealed, but there was the text "Redatta" (Italian for redacted) on the center of the screen.[19]
    • A hidden Lupa mask appeared in the Haunted Masquerade game mode.

    Media

    Hero Teasers

    Gameplay Screenshots

    Balance Change Log

    For more information, see Patch Notes.

    Overwatch 2 PvP
    Patch
    Description
    While recent changes improved ability flow, Vendetta’s overall lethality has remained too high. These adjustments reduce key breakpoints and alter the combinations required to secure eliminations.

    Projected Edge Projected Edge

    • Damage reduced from 80 to 70.

    Soaring Slice Soaring Slice

    • Soaring Slice now starts on cooldown when respawning (does not apply when Resurrected or in Death Match)

    Whirlwind Dash Whirlwind Dash

    • Damage reduced from 80 to 70.

    Perk Raging Storm Icon Raging Storm perk

    • Damage reduced from 40 to 35 per spin.
    Vendetta’s win rate has continued to rise as players grow more familiar with her kit, so we’re making a small adjustment prior to midseason. This change shifts key breakpoints while preserving the intended flow of her abilities.

    Palantine fang Palatine Fang

    • Horizontal swing damage reduced from 50 to 45.

    Palantine fang Palatine Fang

    • Overhead swing recovery can now be interrupted by Warding Stance
    • Fixed a bug with launching enemies downward with the overhead not working consistently against flying targets

    Whirlwind Dash Whirlwind Dash

    • Raging Storm perk recovery time reduced from 0.4 to 0.25 seconds

    Projected Edge Projected Edge

    • Recovery time for Whirlwind Dash and Soaring Slice reduced from 0.35 to 0.2 seconds

    Soaring Slice Soaring Slice

    • Recovery time reduced from 0.25 to 0.1 seconds
    • Weapon throw range increased from 14 to 15 meters
    Vendetta performed well during her hero trial though her effectiveness fell off some at the higher ranks. These changes are mainly aimed at making her abilities feel more responsive to better flow between them. We're reducing a few of the longer recovery times and making the passive easier to upkeep through the projectile speed adjustment. To help keep her engagement range in check we're reducing the maximum distance you can throw the sword with Soaring Slice, but this means it'll also take less time to perform and be a bit snappier. The survivability perks have been buffed slightly to make the choices more competitive.

    General

    Projected Edge Projected Edge

    • Projectile speed increased from 33 to 37 meters per second

    Soaring Slice Soaring Slice

    • Max throw distance reduced from 16 to 14 meters

    Siphoning Strike Siphoning Strike - Perk

    • Lifesteal increased from 30% to 40%

    Perk Swift Vengence Icon Swift Vengeance - Perk

    • Overhealth increased from 125 to 150

    References

    1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 A New Empire
    2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2025-11-17, La Lupa | Vendetta Hero Trailer | Overwatch 2. YouTube, accessed on 2025-11-18
    3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 2025-11-21, Weekly Recall: Strength, Glory, Vendetta. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2025-11-27
    4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 2025-11-18, Overwatch 2’s next hero is Vendetta, an Italian gladiatrix, launching in Season 20. Massively Overpowered, accessed on 2025-11-19
    5. 2025-11-17, Overwatch 2's new damage hero is melee-focused hard (light) hitter Vendetta. Polygon, accessed on 2025-11-19
    6. 2025-11-18, Overwatch 2's newest hero has roots in one of the best PvE missions I played 7 years ago. PC Gamer, accessed on 2025-11-19
    7. https://www.reddit.com/r/Overwatch/comments/1pb9sos/quickest_way_to_kill_a_genji/
    8. 2025-15-04, Hero 45 teased through poster on Stadium Colosseo Map. Reddit, accessed on 2025-04-17
    9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 9.13 9.14 Vendetta, Blizzard Entertainment. Accessed on 2026-01-08
    10. 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 2025-12-04, Villainy, fury, and vengeance: Inside Overwatch 2’s Vendetta comic with Jude Stacey. Esports.gg, accessed on 2025-12-31
    11. Overwatch Retribution
    12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 2025-11-27, Try the First Melee DPS Hero in Overwatch 2 Now (promotional email). Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2025-11-27
    13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 2025-12-02, Unleashing Vendetta in Overwatch 2: Exclusive interview with Aaron Keller and Jude Stacey. Esports.gg, accessed on 2025-12-31
    14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 2025-04-15, Overwatch 2’s Hero 45 Tease Is So Vague, Even Shakira Might Qualify. Fandom, accessed on 2025-04-17
    15. 2025-11-13, Overwatch 2 Hero 45 set to premiere on November 17th. Esports Insider, accessed on 2025-11-14
    16. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 45BestLook
    17. 2025-02-14, Overwatch 2 boss has good news for fans requesting “giant sword” hero. Dexerto, accessed on 2025-04-17
    18. 2025-10-09, Season 19: Haunted Masquerade Official Trailer | Overwatch 2. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2025-10-10
    19. 2025-10-09, Developer Update | Season 19: Haunted Masquerade, Stadium, Mythics, & More. Blizzard Entertainment, accessed on 2025-10-10

    External Links