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Wrecking Ball is one of the heroes of Overwatch. He is a resourceful tinkerer with remarkable mechanic skills, who is rolling around the world seeking out his next challenge to overcome.

Bio[]

In one of the many experiments carried out at Horizon Lunar Colony, animals were given genetic therapy to assess their adaptation to extended periods of habitation on the moon. As an unexpected side effect, several of them exhibited exceptional growth in physical size and brain function. While most of the test subjects were gorillas or other primates, there were some exceptions, including a hamster named Hammond.

Like the others, Hammond's intelligence grew, and he became more curious about the world around him. Much to the puzzlement and amusement of the scientists, Hammond would frequently escape into different parts of the moon base. Though they'd always find him and return him to his cell, they never figured out the true purpose behind his nightly escapades. What they didn't know was that Hammond was busy teaching himself the skills of a mechanic, which would soon come in handy.

The colony was eventually thrown into chaos when some of the gorillas rose up against the human scientists and took control. Not all of the animals participated, however, and one of the gorillas, Winston, was making a plan to escape to earth. Hammond sensed his opportunity. He built a makeshift capsule and secretly hitched it to Winston's craft as the gorilla blasted off. As the two entered earth's atmosphere, Hammond broke off and landed in a different location: the wasteland of the Australian Outback.

Hammond modified his escape pod to enter the lucrative mech battle arena of the Scrapyard. Working his way up the ranks, "Wrecking Ball" went from contender to champion, though the pilot's identity remained a mystery to all. Gathering his winnings, Hammond was able to upgrade his mech enough to survive the dangerous trek out of the Junker-controlled Outback.

Now free to travel and do as he pleases, Hammond is exploring the world and finding new adventures along the way.

Abilities[]

Icon quadcannons
Quad Cannons
Rapid-fire hitscan type
80 rounds per clip
2-second reload
2.5 - 5 damage
15 - 25 m falloff range
25 shots per second
✔ Subject to falloff damage
✔ Can headshot
Wrecking Ball’s automatic assault cannons tear apart threats at medium range.
Default Key: (PC LMB, PS R2, XB RT)
Icon grapplingclaw
Grappling Claw
Damaging and self-buff linear projectile movement type
50 damage (max speed)
23, 6 m range
~9.48 m radius
20, 18 m/s movement speed
Lasts until cancelled or 1.5 secs
5-second cooldown
Wrecking Ball launches a grappling claw, enabling him to anchor to an area and swing from it. If he strikes an enemy with a powered-up swing, they’re damaged and knocked back.
Default Key: (PC RMB, PS L2, XB LT)
Icon roll
Roll
Transformation type
10 m/s movement speed
Lasts until cancelled
0-second cooldown
Wrecking Ball transforms into a ball, increasing his maximum movement speed.
Default Key: (PC LShift, PS L1, XB LB)
Icon adaptiveshield
Adaptive Shield
Personal barrier type
+100 temporary shields on self
Additional +75 temporary shields per nearby enemy
7 m radius
Lasts 7 seconds
15-second cooldown
Wrecking Ball’s temporary personal shields absorb damage, providing stronger defenses if more opponents are nearby.
Default Key: (PC E,PS R1, XB RB)
Icon piledriver
Piledriver
Damaging bombardment movement type
20-100 splash damage
2.25 m range
8 m radius
7.07, 98 m/s movement speed
Lasts 0.5 sec
10-second cooldown
Wrecking Ball slams onto the ground below, damaging enemies and launching them upward.
Default Key: (PC LCtrl, PS O, XB B)
Icon minefield
Ultimate Ability: Minefield
Cast-time ultimate type
Object-deploying ability type
130 damage per mine
  15 mines per use
  Max 1950 damage
6 m radius
50 HP per mine
12 m/s projectile speed
0.1, 1.5 sec cast
Lasts 20 seconds

Wrecking Ball deploys a field of long-lasting proximity mines which explode on contact with enemies.

Default Key: (PC Q, PS Tri, XB Y)
"Area denied!"

Unlocks[]

All seasonal event items, which are marked with special event icons (Summer Games Item IconHalloween Terror Item IconWinter Wonderland Item IconYear of the Rooster Item IconUprising Item IconAnniversary Item Icon), are only available to be unlocked either through their respective Loot Boxes or by Credits within the event's duration. During the event, newly-introduced event items cost three times as much as non-event items of the same rarity, while returning seasonal items are unlocked at the regular price.

Skins[]

For all of Wrecking Ball's skins and weapons, see Wrecking Ball/Skins and Weapons.
Common
Rare
Epic
Legendary

Emotes[]

Victory Poses[]

Voice Lines[]

Sprays[]

Highlight Intros[]

Common
Epic

Weapons[]

Achievements[]

Icon adaptiveshield
Pixel Wrecking Ball
Adaption

Absorb 1500 damage with Wrecking Ball's Adaptive Shield in quick or competitive play.
Reward: Pixel Spray

Icon roll
Cute Wrecking Ball
Strike

Roll through 4 players within 2 seconds as Wrecking ball in quick or competitive play.
Reward: Cute Spray

Story[]

HLC Prescreen 2

Hammond's room

Hammond is a sentient Hamster that was on the Horizon Lunar Colony. His official designation was Specimen 8. Before the base's fall, Hammond escaped from his cage/room and into the ventilation system thus building a smaller escape pod. Dr. Zhang noted his absence for a week, but few within the base gave it much heed. He went missing just before the apes rose an uprising against the scientists, attached his pod with Winston's and traveled to Earth, Junkertown is Wrecking Ball’s new home.

Appearance[]

Hammond is a genetically modified hamster, making him capable of harnessing the mind of a normal human. The experiment also made him grow larger in size, compared to a normal hamster. He has tan and white fur with a snout, a small buck tooth, and small whiskers. A mini backpack is hanging on his back while a piece of metal lies on his forehead.

Personality[]

Hammond is shown to be highly intelligent. Of course, he cannot communicate verbally, though understands English and many other languages and communicates via his bot. Through in-game interactions, he is shown to be a sarcastic, laid back, curious, and resourceful character, as well as a very knowledgeable mechanic and tinker. 

Tips[]

  • Wrecking Ball is all about disruption, quick engagements and disengagements, and denying area.
  • Use Grappling Claw and Piledriver to roll through masses of enemies to quickly gain ultimate charge and scattering the enemy team.
  • As the tank with the highest mobility, Wrecking Ball can effectively disrupt the enemy team and flank enemy backlines.
    • His high speed also allows him to disengage fights quickly.
  • Wrecking Ball isn't meant to be played as a solo tank. He has no means of protecting his team directly.
  • Wrecking Ball is dependent on his abilities. Getting hacked by an enemy Sombra puts you at great risk and low on options.
  • Wrecking Ball's large hitbox makes him susceptible to all stun abilities.

Wrecking shares some similarities with fellow animal tank Winston:

  • Both are highly mobile tanks that leap around and creating chaos.
  • Both work best when moving around, thus is different from the standard stand and plant tank.
  • Both are very Crowd Control-focused heroes. Use them to initiate and create space in a team fight, pick off low health targets, and capture objectives.

However:

  • Wrecking Ball's Roll ability allows him to avoid critical hits, especially from snipers (something Winston cannot).
  • Since Quad Cannons can do critical hits, he can somewhat engage in fights with other tanks.

Trivia[]

  • Unlike Winston's room, Hammond has a glass-like enclosure around his bed.
  • Wrecking Ball is the second playable hero that doesn't speak itself, after Bastion. However, he is able to communicate thanks to his mecha.
  • Wrecking Ball is the only hero with two distinct voice actors.
  • Wrecking Ball can achieve the highest amount of HP in the game while 6 enemies are within range of his Adaptive Shield. He requires teammates of Brigitte and Lúcio, and can achieve 2225 HP for less than a second (due to the rapid decay of Sound Barrier).
  • Hammond was one of the original character concepts, mostly the mech itself years back when they were first pitching the game of Overwatch, however, instead of a hamster it was going to be a Junker Omnic with magnet powers. The developers said that they are probably going to bring back the magnet powers for a new character at some point in the future.
  • Hammond is the 2nd Youngest Hero in the game at fourteen years old after Orisa. He is also the youngest non-Omnic in the game.   
  • In the Summer Games, Hammond’s signature sport is bowling, an obvious reference to his mech.

Cultural References[]

  • Blizzard artists said Hammond's character design was influenced by hamsters in other media. They listed Hamtaro, Bolt, and Zootopia as examples of such media.
    • Although G-Force was not mentioned, Wrecking Ball was added to the live game on July 24, the same day as the premier of the movie.
  • The name may be a reference to Dr. John Hammond, the CEO and creator of Jurassic Park, whose company InGen used gene-splicing to create intelligent hybrid animals.
  • Hammond's name may be in reference to the TV show Top Gear/The Grand Tour. One of the hosts, Richard Hammond, was nicknamed "The Hamster" due to his height, as he was the smallest of the three hosts.
    • Coincidently, Richard Hammond's fellow host, Jeremy Clarkson, is nicknamed "The Orangutan". Both the orangutan and the gorilla are types of apes, and Winston happens to be the latter.
  • Wrecking Ball's sprays:
    • The "Hamster Ball" spray shows him spinning in a ball like Sonic from Sonic the Hedgehog.
    • The "Hoard" spray is very likely a reference to Hamtaro.
    • The "Pilot" spray is likely a reference to Dragon Ball Z. It resembles Vegeta's pose from his arrival on Earth, including the escape pod.
  • The voice line "The hamster sends his regards," is a reference to the show Game of Thrones.
  • Hammond's "Dramatic" Highlight intro is a reference to the "Dramatic Chipmunk", from the popular viral video.

Patch changes[]

For changes made to Wrecking Ball's abilities, see Quad Cannons, Grappling Claw, Roll, Adaptive Shield, Piledriver, and Minefield.
Wrecking Ball Navigation
General MainQuotesGallerySkins and WeaponsSprays
Abilities Quad CannonsGrappling ClawRollAdaptive ShieldPiledriverMinefield
Lore
Character relationships Winston
Locations Horizon Lunar ColonyJunkertown
Media Animated Shorts Wrecking Ball Origin Story
Heroes in Overwatch
TankIconTank
OffenseIconDamage
SupportIconSupport
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