Mei

Lore & Background

Before joining Overwatch, Mei was a brilliant researcher at the Horizon Lunar Colony's climate division, tasked with developing solutions for Earth's rapidly rising temperatures. Her work focused on creating localized cooling systems to stabilize extreme weather patterns. However, her dedication took a tragic turn when she and her team were stranded in Antarctica during an unprecedented storm triggered by their own experimental technology. Cut off from communication and survival supplies, Mei entered cryosleep as a last resort to preserve life until rescue could arrive.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled like a living thing, tearing at the reinforced glass of Station Horizon. Inside, the temperature plummeted faster than any model predicted. Mei watched the frost creep across her console, sealing the fate of her team. 'It's not just cold,' she whispered to the empty room, her breath visible in the dying air. 'It's hungry.' She initiated the emergency protocol, sealing herself into the pod as the world outside turned white and silent. Years passed in a frozen dream, but when she finally woke to the sound of boots on ice and a voice calling her name, she knew the storm hadn't ended—it had just changed shape.

Reader's Guide

Mei is a versatile support hero who excels at controlling space and sustaining allies through environmental manipulation. Her kit revolves around ice-based abilities that slow enemies and provide crucial healing. Her primary fire launches cryo-shots that freeze targets on impact, stunning them briefly while dealing damage. The secondary fire creates an Ice Wall, a versatile barrier used to block enemy paths or protect teammates from projectiles. Mei's ultimate ability, Blizzard, unleashes a massive storm of hail that slows and damages all enemies within the area, making it perfect for crowd control. She also possesses a passive healing aura called Cryo-Freeze, which revives her instantly if she takes fatal damage while encased in ice, allowing her to escape dangerous situations. In combat, Mei is often found flanking or holding choke points, using her wall to isolate targets before finishing them off with her freeze. Her voice lines reflect her scientific background and optimism, often referencing weather patterns or expressing concern for the environment. She appears frequently in campaign missions dealing with climate disasters and has been a central figure in stories regarding the aftermath of Horizon Lunar Colony.

Did You Know?

• Mei was originally designed to be a damage hero before being reworked into her current support role.
• Her character design incorporates elements of traditional Chinese winter clothing adapted for extreme environments.
• The storm that trapped Mei and her team is known in-universe as the Horizon Lunar Colony incident.