Ana Amari wears an eyepatch because she lost her aiming eye during a mission after hesitating to take a shot against Widowmaker, a mistake that nearly cost her life.
The Cost of Hesitation: Ana's Backstory
Ana's iconic eyepatch is a direct result of a critical incident detailed in her backstory. During a mission, Ana, an elite sniper and one of the founding members of Overwatch, had Widowmaker in her sights. She had the tactical advantage, with Widowmaker seemingly at her mercy. However, Ana hesitated. This moment of indecision proved to be a grave error.
The Fateful Encounter with Widowmaker
Instead of neutralizing the threat, Ana's hesitation provided an opportunity for Widowmaker to retaliate. The engagement led to Ana sustaining a severe injury, resulting in the loss of her eye. This incident was so significant that it was believed for a long time that Ana had died during the mission, leading to her withdrawal from the public eye and her eventual return as a masked vigilante.
The Eyepatch and Its Significance
The eyepatch Ana wears covers the eye she lost in this pivotal confrontation. It serves as a constant reminder of the high stakes involved in her work and the consequences of her moment of hesitation, transforming a tactical misstep into a permanent physical mark.