- The Facts

Today, Blizzard released the following lore update:

This is a follow-up piece to a more cryptic lore update released just days before detailing an attack that nearly cost Torbjörn Lindholm his life:

The name Emre Sarioglu caught the communities attention and a lot of speculation about who the young private could be filled Overwatch forums. For a while, it looked like Emre was the biggest hint to go off.

But none of that matters now in face of this newest hint. The letter Torbjörn wrote to his wife (whom at the time was pregnant with a child) is, in my opinion, the smoking gun clue that allows us to safely speculate that Brigitte Lindholm, as first seen in Reinhardt's cinematic, will be the new 27th hero to enter the game.

- The Letter

I've highlighted in red the most pertinent clues to this theory. You can read the full letter below:

My dear Ingrid,

I know that by now you have gotten news of my injuries in our latest mission. While the descriptions may sound terrible, the doctors are quite sure I'll make a full recovery. Even Angela came to visit me! On the matter of my arm, I promise to make it my first priority to construct a suitable prosthesis that will make everyone forget that it was ever gone. If only Angela's dreams of tissue regeneration were a reality! I told her she should be working harder!

They tell me that you have not yet gone into labor, so I am holding out hope that I will be able to be by your side back home in Gothenburg when the time comes. Just wait a little longer for me!

You may have heard that Reinhardt is responsible for saving my life. I've heard the story at least four different times myself, already, each time more unbelievable than the last. Exaggerations, as you know how he can be. All the same, they've decided to award him a commendation for "conspicuous bravery." Could two words better describe the big oaf?

He has been bothering me insufferably at my bedside. Half in jest, I suggested that if it would shut him up, I would allow him to name our daughter, as he has been badgering me about it these past months. He, of course, took me at my word. Truth be told, I had been considering making him her godfather, and I hope you'll forgive me for making this decision without your consultation. We can only hope she doesn't take after him too much.

I told him that you would have to agree to any name he chose, so let’s hope it's a good one (though I fear that may be beyond his abilities, given some of the ridiculous names he gives the characters in his "true stories"). I'm getting sick of this hospital, so I am hoping to return soon.

- We can deduce the following:

1. Reinhardt is mentioned a lot in this letter and that isn't an accident. He must be somehow involved with the newest hero.

2. Reinhardt will be the godfather of Torbjörn's child. If this child is Brigitte, if it explains why she is so close and cares so much about Reinhardt in the cinematic.

3. This letter specifically introduces the idea of the child "taking after" Reinhardt. This is, in my opinion, the most important clue that the hero will be Brigitte because...


The next hero will likely be a tank role.

I can deduce this because of an interview with Jeff Kaplan about hero #27 and how they will be meta defining. He explained how  Hero #27 is in "every one" of the teams playtests. That the hero is "ever-present" and that the team "never tests without" the new hero.

Going further, Kaplan says that the new hero is "super solid". Considering that not every new hero has been so immediately "solid" and useful when balancing the game, It's safe to assume the new hero is an impactful role that might actually change the game.

Another DPS hero wouldn't be capable of this impact, and considering the hint of Torbjörn's child "taking after Reinhardt", the signs that the new hero being a tank similar to Reinhardt is a likely scenario.

Brigitte's role in Reinhardt's cinematic is clear -- she is urging Reinhardt to stay and is confused as to why Reinhardt has so much loyalty to the cause. 

She says:

"Winston's message wasn't meant for you -- this isn't your fight"

So who's fight is it? Brigitte's. At the end of the cinematic, she realizes she can't change Reinhardt's mind and must try to understand the deep sense of loyalty her godfather has to the cause. Ask your self then -- what would someone who takes after Reinhardt do when they realize a war is going on and their beloved family is fighting in it?

Would they stay back or join themselves? The case is clear and I'm calling it now -- Brigitte is hero 27!