The hero shooter market is getting a little overcrowded.Overwatch 2is seeing a bit of a resurgence at the minute,Valve’sDeadlockis gaining traction in its playtest phase, andMarvel Rivalsis set to launch in just a few months. It’s no longer enough for a hero shooter to just have solid mechanics and presentation, it needs to have some kind of unique hook. Thankfully,FragPunkmight have one such hook.
Set to host its closed beta on October 10,FragPunkis a 5v5 hero shooter that revolves around players breaking the rules of the genre. WhileFragPunk’s moment-to-moment gameplay will be all too familiar to hero shooter fans, it shakes things up with its Shard Cards, a set of power-ups that drastically change gameplay. But every good hero shooter needs a great cast of heroes, or inFragPunk’s case, Lancers.
FragPunk’s Broker
Skill Damage, Vision Control, Trap Placement
One ofthe first Lancers revealed forFragPunk, Broker is all about dealing high explosive damage, and confusing opponents. Broker wields a powerful shoulder-mounted rocket launcher and devastating cherry bombs, and can retreat undetected using a deployable smoke screen.
Nitro
Fortification Defense, Trap Placement
With a remote-controlled combat drone, deployable cover, and an automatic sentry gun, Nitro’s abilities heavily encourage players to set up camp around an objective or point of high value, and provide covering fire from behind cover.
Hollowpoint
Skill Damage, Trap Placement, Vision Control
One ofFragPunk’s more skill-based Lancers, Hollowpoint wields a powerful single-shot electromagnetic sniper rifle. Aiming down sights with this sniper charges the weapon’s power while also revealing the outlines of any enemies in her field-of-view. Hollowpoint is a greatlong-range Lancer, but players might find it tricky to use her in close-quarters environments, though she can make a quick getaway with her throwable smoke screen.
Kismet
Detection, Skill Damage
Kismet is all about reconnaissance, with her “Hello, Goodbye” ability allowing her to reveal enemy positions. Kismet’s “Walk on the Wild Side” ability goes hand-in-hand with her recon abilities, granting her brief invisibility and invulnerability that can be used to drop in on enemies undetected, or escape a fight quickly.
Serket
Vision Control, Area Delay, Teleportation
Based purely on her ability descriptions, it seems as though Serket could end up being one ofFragPunk’s most powerful Lancers. Serket’s “Station to Station” ability lets her teleport to a remote beacon, while her two projectile abilities can be used to pull in foes and bind them, leaving plenty of time to finish those enemies off.
Corona
Teleportation, Area Delay, Frontal Assault
A Lancer for those who prefer a more direct playstyle, Corona’s whole deal is dashing into a group of enemies and dishing out as much damage as possible before dashing back out again, leaving his opponents dazed and confused with his blinding “Hothead” ability.
Axon
Skill Damage, Frontal Assault
Another Frontal Assault Lancer, Axon is immune to all negative visual effects, letting him charge into battle unimpaired. Axon uses his modded electric guitar to blast enemies away, launching sticky grenades that deal explosive damage.
Jaguar
Trap Placement, Vision Control, Detection
Jaguar’s abilities revolve around his “Hunter’s Last Gift” passive. This passive marks enemies anytime Jaguar lands a hit from one of his other abilities. Once “I Can See for Miles” is triggered, any enemy with a Hunter’s Last Gift mark attached will have their position revealed.
Pathojen
Health Recovery, Fortification Defense, Trap Placement
The only healer currently confirmed forFragPunk, Pathojen’s most useful ability will undoubtedly be her “Emotional Rescue” projectile that heals any allies within its area-of-effect. Pathojen is also able to summon a Shroom Wall that obstructs the environment, similar toMei’s Ice Wall fromOverwatch.
Zephyr
Assassin, Area Delay, Teleportation
Zephyr’s abilities encourage a hit-and-run playstyle, with their “Midnight Rambler” power letting them dash around the map with invisibility. Zephyr also has a “Dagger Beacon” ability that lets them throw out a projectile and teleport straight to it. It’ll be hard forOverwatchfans not to draw directcomparisons between Zephyr and Sombra.
Sonar & Spider
The most recent additions toFragPunk’s roster,Sonar and Spider were announced during Tokyo Game Show. While their full abilities haven’t been confirmed just yet, Sonar is said to have sound-based powers that track enemy movements, and Spider is able to trap foes.
