Overwatch 2 recently shared the hero trailer for Freja, the damage hero coming in Season 16. One of the biggest bombs dropped in the exciting animation came in the form of a datapad featuring Emre Sarioglu near the end. A familiar face to many Overwatch 2 fans, this cameo has once again sparked speculation that the hero may become playable in the near future.

Beyond whether this former Overwatch operative will arrive in the FPS or not, one major question comes to mind, and that’s what type of hero Emre would be. He could join Mercy as a support hero in Overwatch 2, step up with Freja as a damage dealer, or even protect his allies alongside Reinhardt as a tank. Little is known about the Turkish tactician, but there are some hints that could signal what role Emre would play if he were to come to Overwatch 2.

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Overwatch 2 Adds In-Game Teases for New Hero Freja

Overwatch 2 follows its recent trend of teasing upcoming characters using in-game Easter eggs with Freja, the new damage hero coming in Season 16.

Who is Emre Sarioglu in Overwatch 2?

An Overwatch Operative Shrouded in Mystery for Nearly a Decade

Emre Sarioglu was first spotted in Ana’s Origin Story back in 2016, though his name was not revealed until an in-universe document two years later. This report – which detailed Operation White Dome when Torbjorn lost his arm – led many to suspect Emre would be Overwatch Hero 27 instead of Brigitte, and was the last mention of him until Overwatch: Declassified in 2023. The lore book officially connected the face with the name and revealed that Emre helped Mercy and Sojourn fight an outbreak of radiation poisoning in Australia, and he was involved in Genji’s transfer into Overwatch custody after his fight with Hanzo.

Beyond his brief cameo in Freja’s Overwatch 2 hero trailer, Emre also appears multiple times in her backstory comic. He is seen alongside Freja, Winston, and Tracer on Overwatch search and rescue missions, making plans to rescue civilians, and even standing up to Soldier: 76 and Ana when innocents were caught in the crossfire due to Blackwatch interference.

Support Emre – Baptiste with a Dash of Sombra

As a principled soldier devoted to saving lives, the most likely role for Emre is undoubtedly support. Several of his major accomplishments involve medical treatment and first aid, making it a natural fit for the character. What’s more, the Support role currently has the fewest heroes, meaning it has a deficit that he could easily help fill. With a level head and a mind for tactics and strategy, it would not be hard to imagine Emre as a front-line combat medic like Baptiste, or even as a mobile, buff-oriented support similar to Sombra as she was in Overwatch 2‘s Mirrorwatch event.

Damage Emre – Soldier: 76 Meets Lara Croft

DPS Emre would also not be a stretch, given his role as an Overwatch infiltration and extraction expert. The hero wields a pistol and rifle during Freja’s comic, but to differentiate him from characters like Soldier: 76, he could be a close combat character with a pistol – or possibly even two, evoking acrobatic gunslingers like Lara Croft while preventing him from stepping on Cassidy’s toes.

Tank Emre – Unlikely, but Not Impossible

Emre could technically be a tank, though it seems to be the least likely option. The cautious-yet-daring hero has the drive to protect others, but his silhouette is much smaller than most other tanks, and he is usually seen in the middle or back of squads in depictions. Then again, that very fact could let him stand out from other tanks through the use of tactics, deployable barricades, or evasive actions.

Regardless of his potential role, Overwatch 2 players are unlikely to see Emre for some time. The Season 18 support hero, codenamed Aqua, has already been revealed, and several teasers suggest the Season 20 hero in Overwatch 2 will be a sword-wielding gladiator. That said, Emre is back on the radar, so perhaps the storied character will finally arrive in 2026 for the 10-year anniversary of Overwatch.

Released

August 10, 2023

ESRB

T For Teen // Blood, Mild Language, Use of Tobacco, Violence