Overwatch: Explore The Secrets of Oasis | Glitches, Tricks & Lore

Oasis, the beautiful map recently released for Overwatch, is jam-packed with the usual references and lore Easter eggs fans should expect from Blizzard. It’s so full, in fact, we wanted to drop by and point out everything we possibly can concerning this map.

Oasis: University is set in a futuristic Arabian Desert city, and it is gorgeous. Originally revealed during Blizzcon 2016, it was subsequently released on January 3rd, 2017. It is a Control map, so both teams fight for control in a best-of-three format. Whoever controls the most points wins the round. That might not be so easy when futuristic cars are whizzing past the arena.

So, what exactly is the deal with this fancy-schmancy city? Let’s dive in deep and talk about all the hidden stuff (and some not-exactly hidden stuff, like wacky player strategies) below.

Oasis: University Is Set In Iraq

The city of Oasis is, in Overwatch’s surprisingly deep lore, one of the most technologically advanced places on the planet. Scientists banded together to form a new government, calling themselves the Ministries, and built a gleaming city from the inhospitable desert.

The city itself is situated in Iraq, and brings to mind visions of ancient Mesopotamia — an advanced civilization situated in modern-day Iraq’s borders, that’s also known as the cradle of civilization. Historical allusions are always a good angle for future lore. The modern equivalent is obviously Dubai, known for its reclaimed islands and incredible towers.

The Ministries, and their seemingly limitless know-how, have attracted plenty of organizations into the city, including the Vishkar Corporation. Casual fans might not know the name, but Vishkar is an important group with deep roots in Symmetra and Lucio’s backstories.

Watch Out For Traffic! Or Take A Ride With Mei

At the ground floor, you’ll find something pretty cool — a highway with plenty of traffic. Naturally, you can run on this road if you’ve got a death wish. Cars stop for no heroes, and they’ll run you down mercilessly. One hit and (most) heroes are dead as a door-nail.

Well, Mei isn’t most heroes. She can actually take a ride on traffic. All you need is her Cryo-Freeze. Jump and pop Cryo-Freeze to protect Mei from damage, and she’ll ride with incoming traffic to the next stop. Just hop off and continue the fight down the road when you’re ready. Pretty ingenious, right? Okay, it might not be useful, but it is fun.

Boost Pads Are Back!

Everyone gets to go vertical in Oasis. That might not seem like something worth calling out, but boost pads have been AWOL since the introduction of Lucioball. The Summer Games event placed teams of 3vs3 on a simple field outfitted with jump pads and wall-run speed-boosters. Instead of fighting, players work to score goals like a typical game of soccer — only with heroes running, jumping, and using ultimates.

The re-introduction of boost pads means more heroes can reach higher levels. The high walls of the university exterior are no longer the sole domain of high-jumpers or fliers. Anyone can reach the top and start shooting down. That’s good news if you don’t exclusively play as Pharah or any of the other high-flying heroes.

There’s A Special Control Point In The Gardens

What’s unique about the gardens control point? It has two levels — the platform above the control point is within the control point’s capture area. You can actually stand on the platform directly above the control point and capture it. Right now, players aren’t quite sure if this is going to get patched out, or if it stays, or what the deal is — there are no other control points like this in Overwatch… not counting that exploit on Nepal.

The Gardens also features some high ledges that Pharah (and Widowmaker) others can reach. The shrubbery provides some mild cover, and the positioning of the ledges and the walls makes it fairly safe. You won’t easily drop off.

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