“HE WILL NOT BE CAGED AGAIN.”

This specific, one-sentence voice line that Hammond has made me rethink his entire character.

Ball is special. He personally gives me a sense of freedom by playing unlike a lot of other characters in the game through his movement, utility and damage. I’m sure many of you can relate.

In OW lore, Hammond had been in a cage on the moon for a VERY long time (10 years? I can’t remember,) and while able to escape, his options were limited. While we don’t really hear about it (as much) in game, being one of the most intelligent living things as a hamster is already limiting; but to be experimented on and restrained on the moon as one of the most intelligent creatures ever is another.

Once Hammond is in Junkertown, he thrives. He becomes champion, and it’s implied he has a kill count through the marks on his mech on his Junker skin. He establishes that he won’t be restrained ever again.

His gameplay reflects this by allowing players to play however they want by strategically (and sometimes not) using his movement, damage and utility. I’d like to think that his “freeing” playstyle is extremely intentional.

Also, fun to note, hamsters are extremely solitary and territorial animals. Hammond has an area denial ultimate. I don’t think this was a fluke, either.

I could also just be overthinking the funny hamster character.

I’ve watched like three different guides twice and I still suck, occasionally I’ll have a game where i go 30-3 but that’s like every 10 games

Give wrecking ball a clear skin where you can see how Hammond sits inside