Overwatch 2 Concept Gives Mercy's Controversial Lunar New Year Skin to Lifeweaver

An Overwatch 2 fan designed a skin for Lifeweaver based on Mercy's controversial Mystic Swan skin. Some Overwatch 2 fans think the design fits the newer Support hero much better.

Over the years, certainOverwatch 2 skins have attracted some criticism, such as one Mei skin that was released to celebrate The Overwatch League. The skin saw Mei don a cornrow and ponytail combo, which some claimed was cultural appropriation. This is due to Mei being a Chinese character and the cornrow hairstyle originating in Africa. Mercy's Mystic Swan skin became controversial for similar reasons, but one Overwatch 2 fan applied the design to a more fitting character.

Reddit user nexxumie posted their concept art of a Mystic Swan skin for Lifeweaver. The Thai character is shown in garb that is meant to resemble the Thai culture's depiction of a mythical figure called a Kinnari, which stems from Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Overwatch 2's Mystic Swan skin for Mercy also saw the Swiss character in clothes that resembled the Thai culture's depiction of a Kinnari. This led to fan backlash and also led to nexxumie's idea for a more historically accurate in-game depiction of a Kinnari. The concept art also includes a Lifeweaver name card and player icon based on the same theme. The skin shows Lifeweaver wearing an ornate headdress and emerald and gold pants, and also applies a bright green color to the hero's usual flower-petal-like back.

The post, which racked up thousands of upvotes, led fans to express how impressed they were in the comments section. Many shared that they wished the skin could be bought, but this seems unlikely to happen given that Overwatch 2 has never added a fan-made skin. This trend extends to other Overwatch 2 cosmetics categories like hero animations, but, similar to skins, that hasn't stopped Overwatch 2 fans from creating impressive fan-made animations.

Recently, a different fan created a God of War-themed Kratos skin for Overwatch 2's Doomfist that fit the hero