Overwatch 2 removed one tank from the game to change the gameplay dynamics, making matches faster and less reliant on team-wide defense. This decision aimed to create a more engaging experience by reducing the overall health pool of each team, shortening team fights, and making maps feel more open.
The new "tankiness" metric in Overwatch 2 measures the number of hero deaths a tank character experiences compared to how many deaths they ought to experience. This metric helps the developers assess the survivability of tank heroes and make necessary adjustments to improve their effectiveness in the game.
The tank role in Overwatch 2 has evolved from prioritizing team-wide defense to being frontline brawlers. This shift has led to constant adjustments in an attempt to better define the role. However, recent changes, such as the damage hero passive weakening healing, have turned some tanks into glass cannons, causing them to struggle in-game. Blizzard is now addressing this issue by introducing a new metric of "tankiness" and implementing balance changes to improve the tank role's effectiveness.