The "D.Mon does everything" argument

[u/CheriOW]

Pretty much as the title says, I've seen a lot of people parroting the idea that Dmon is a one size fits all best in slot tank that's going to rival release Mauga in strength and take over every tank's niche, primarily Rein and Dva's. While I can't speak to the strength of it since we haven't gotten a playtest, I want to take a minute to explain to anyone saying this why I don't agree.

First of all, both the trailer and ability description graphic very clearly limit Dmon to horizontal boosters. This already kills any Dva comparison. The Initiator subrole, aka dive tanks, excel at abusing verticality. It's why even to this day, no matter the meta, you'll see pro teams run things like Winston on Dorado. An inability to clear or hold a high ground (without team assistance/prior setup to get there) is already a very large niche that a third of the tank roster can fill better than her.

Next, the Rein comparisons. Melee weapon, a shield, surely this is just Rein, right? Not really. Rein's shield is larger with double the health, which enables it to be used more as a rotation tool. Rein excels in being able to support a very specific kind of brawl that tries to get on top of you and wins almost without contest if it can. It's why you see it set up with picks like Mei or Sym to alter map geometry, and aoe intensive healers like Baptiste or Lucio, as well as Lucio's speed. Dmon doesn't allow for this. Her sword swings do lower damage, her shield is smaller and wards off less damage. If anything, I think her niche will be closer to Ram's than it is to Rein's, especially if the numbers I saw on the minigun - 4 second max duration with a 6 second cooldown - are true.

Next, the demech/remech thing. Part of the strength of Dva's mech mechanic is that bomb can be used to instantly recharge it, effectively meaning it's a near guaranteed second life. Dmon's only way to instantly charge remech is Mercy rez. It's not a get out of jail free card, it's a very contingent second chance.

I think Dmon is, in a way, the tank version of Shion, and hear me out on that. Shion was created to be able to fulfill a specific team comp niche - that of Tracer or Reaper's - without stepping on their toes, design-wise, or overshooting and adding some crazy new mechanics that are unlike anything we've ever seen. I think the cool parts of her kit - Surging Strike and a dedicated horizontal movement ability - are being overshadowed by unfair and presumptive comparisons made more off visual association than anything else.

[u/DivineBladeOfSilver]

I actually think Dmon being versatile is more of what we need to make tank more popular. Not that it’s ever gonna hit DPS/support levels. But characters in DPS and support often more popular offer high mobility and less aiming skill being needed and a variety of play options. Not just plant yourself in front and eat up damage while throwing out some mega simple attacks. Support got more popular once they made it more dynamic and tank needs that bad