Pharah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pharah
Overwatch character
Pharah's appearance in Overwatch
First game	Overwatch (2016)
Created by	Geoff Goodman
Designed by	Justin Thavirat
Voiced by	Jen Cohn
Information
Nationality	Egyptian

Pharah is a hero character from the video game Overwatch and its sequel Overwatch 2. Her real name is Fareeha Amari. She is an Egyptian security chief who wears a special blue combat suit that allows her to fly. In the game, she uses a rocket launcher to protect her team and defeat opponents.

Pharah was one of the first characters created for the game. The developers originally thought of her as a male character named "Rocket Dude" before changing the design to a female hero. She is the daughter of Ana Amari, another character in the game who was a sniper and a founding member of the Overwatch group. Pharah dreams of following in her mother's footsteps to make the world a safer place.

Character Creation

Early Ideas

When the developers at Blizzard Entertainment started making Overwatch, they wanted a character who could fly and shoot rockets. This idea was inspired by older shooter games like Tribes. At first, the character was a man nicknamed "Rocket Dude".

The team tried many different looks for this character. They considered designs like a dragon-themed hero or a heavy robot suit. Eventually, an artist named Justin Thavirat drew a design of a character in a sleek, futuristic suit with a rocket launcher. The team loved this look and decided to make the character a woman. They named her Pharah, which sounds similar to "Pharaoh", referencing her Egyptian heritage.

Visual Design

Pharah stands 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall. She has black hair and a distinctive tattoo of the Eye of Horus under her right eye. This ancient Egyptian symbol represents protection and good health.

She wears a high-tech suit called the "Raptora Mark VI". It is blue and black with gold accents. The suit has large wings on the back with jet thrusters, which allow her to hover and fly through the air. Her helmet has a visor that looks like the beak of a bird of prey.

In Overwatch 2, her armor was updated to include some white colors, and her visor became more transparent so players could see her face better.

Cultural Background

Pharah is Egyptian, but the game's story reveals she also has Indigenous Canadian heritage through her father. Because of this, the game includes special outfits, or "skins", for her that feature Indigenous art styles. These designs, such as the "Thunderbird" skin, use wood carving motifs from the Pacific Northwest. The developers wanted to honor her background with these designs.

Fictional Biography

Early Life and Service

Fareeha Amari was born into a family of heroes. Her mother, Ana, was a captain in the global peace-keeping organization known as Overwatch. Fareeha grew up surrounded by the heroes of Overwatch and wanted to join them when she got older.

She joined the Egyptian army and became a skilled officer. She was brave and a good leader. However, before she could join Overwatch, the organization was shut down. Although she was disappointed, she continued to serve as a protector. She took a job with a private security company called Helix Security International. There, she was given her powerful Raptora combat suit to guard a secret research facility in Giza.

Adventures in Overwatch

In the Overwatch comic books, Pharah faces dangerous enemies. In one story, a rogue artificial intelligence program tried to take control of combat robots. Pharah led her team to stop the threat, showing her courage and quick thinking.

In Overwatch 2, the story continues. Her childhood friend Cassidy and her mother Ana ask her to join the newly reformed Overwatch team. At first, Pharah declines because she feels she is needed in her home city. However, after fighting off an attack by the villainous group Talon, she agrees to help Overwatch when they need her. She is later seen helping to defend the city of Busan from a robot invasion.

Game Abilities

In the game, Pharah belongs to the "Damage" class. Her job is to attack the enemy team and apply pressure from the sky.

Flying and Movement

Pharah is unique because she can fly.

• Hover Jets: By holding the jump button, Pharah uses fuel to stay in the air. This lets her look down on the battlefield and spot enemies easily.
• Jump Jet: This ability launches her high into the air instantly. It is useful for escaping danger or reaching high ledges.
• Concussive Blast: She fires a special wrist rocket that does not do damage but knocks enemies backward. Pharah can also use this on the ground to push herself away quickly.

Weapons and Attacks

• Rocket Launcher: Her main weapon shoots large rockets. These rockets deal "splash damage", meaning they hurt anyone standing near the explosion, not just the person hit directly.
• Barrage: This is her "Ultimate" ability. When it is ready, Pharah freezes in mid-air and fires a massive volley of mini-rockets at her targets. It is very powerful but leaves her open to attack while she is using it.