Overwatch 2 Releases New Update for December 18

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A new update for Overwatch 2 released on December 18th includes adjustments to the Vendetta ability, changes to hero balance in the Stadium map, and tweaks to Winter Wonderland and Aim Assist. This is a separate update from the mid-Season 20 patch and is expected to be the final update for the year.

Season 20 of Overwatch 2 launched on December 9th, bringing with it a new game mode called Vendetta, adjustments to how aiming works for players using controllers or consoles, and a new Competitive ranking system called Challenger. The popular Winter Wonderland event also began, letting players earn rewards like Loot Boxes, Battle Pass progress, and unique cosmetics by completing challenges and using Winter Wonderland Cookies.

Overwatch 2 Releases the Last Update of 2025

Even before the major mid-season update arrives, Overwatch 2 has launched a significant holiday patch. A key change focuses on Vendetta, the new hero introduced in Season 20. As the first melee damage dealer in Overwatch 2, she’s been very successful, boasting a roughly 58% win rate. To balance gameplay, the damage of her sideways attacks is being reduced by 5.

Image via Blizzard

There are also several updates coming to Hero Powers and Items in Stadium. Doomfist and Ana are getting stronger, with Doomfist receiving major improvements to help him perform better after being added in Season 20. On the other hand, Sigma, Winston, and Brigitte are being slightly weakened, especially the two tanks. The Maritan Mender item is also being adjusted to make it harder to reduce cooldown times.

Image via Blizzard

As a player, I’m excited to hear about the updates coming! Blizzard is tweaking the Challenger system, so earning points between Diamond and Champion will feel more worthwhile at the higher ranks. Plus, they’re adjusting Aim Assist – specifically reducing it by around 50% for hitscan heroes like Bastion, Mauga, and Ana. It should make those heroes feel a little different to play, and hopefully balance things out a bit!

Image via Blizzard

From now until the end of Winter Wonderland, you’ll get three Winter Wonderland Cookies for each daily challenge you complete – that’s one more than before! This will help you unlock more rewards on the three holiday tracks. Plus, even more challenges are coming to Overwatch 2 on December 23rd with the Mischief & Magic Winter Wonderland game mode, making it even easier to earn those rewards.

What to Expect From Overwatch 2 in 2026

Image via Blizzard

This update is probably the last balance adjustment for 2025, but we’re planning more changes right after the new year. We expect to release patch 20 in mid-Season on either January 6th or 13th, with further hero balance tweaks. Vendetta is still proving too strong, and we’ll likely reduce her power again if the current adjustments aren’t enough to balance her win rate. During a recent livestream, the game director, Aaron Keller, also discussed the possibility of adding sound effects to Vendetta’s aerial movement in Overwatch 2 to make her easier to track, though this would take more time to implement if Blizzard decides to go ahead with it.

During the livestream, Keller also shared plans for 2026. The game’s loot box items will be updated early next year, and several new maps are planned for Overwatch 2, in addition to the previously announced Atlantic Arcology and Tokyo maps. Existing maps, like Antarctica (which will return after being temporarily removed), will also be revamped. With Overwatch‘s 10-year anniversary coming up in 2026, Blizzard is hinting at some major additions and changes, so fans have a lot to look forward to.

Overwatch 2 Retail Patch Notes – December 18, 2025

Hotfix Gameplay Update

This is a gameplay and bug fix update. Replay codes are still available.

Winter Wonderland Updates

Based on your feedback, we’re making the Winter Wonderland Event even better for the holidays! You’ll now earn 3 cookies for each challenge, up from 2.

Console Aim Assist Updates

  • Aim Assist reduced to 4% down from 8% for the following heroes:
    • Damage
      • Ashe, Bastion, Soldier, Tracer
    • Tank
      • D.Va, Mauga
    • Support
      • Ana, Bap, Juno

Core Competitive Gameplay Update

New Challenger points are as follows:

  • Diamond 5: 20
  • Diamond 4: 22
  • Diamond 3: 24
  • Diamond 2: 26
  • Diamond 1: 28
  • Master 5: 32
  • Master 4: 36
  • Master 3: 40
  • Master 2: 44
  • Master 1: 48
  • Grandmaster 5: 60
  • Grandmaster 4: 78
  • Grandmaster 3: 102
  • Grandmaster 2: 132
  • Grandmaster 1: 168
  • Champion 5: 208
  • Champion 4: 268
  • Champion 3: 348
  • Champion 2: 448
  • Champion 1: 568

We’ve made some adjustments to the Challenger Score based on your feedback. We found the highest ranks weren’t challenging enough, and lower ranks were giving out rewards too easily, so we’ve rebalanced the scoring system. We’re also changing how winning players earn points to give us more control over rewards for Champion-level players. Finally, we’re fixing a bug that incorrectly showed some players with higher ranks than they deserve on the leaderboard.

Damage Hero Updates

Vendetta

Vendetta is performing well as players learn how to use her, so we’re making a minor adjustment before the midseason update. This change will tweak some important numbers, but it won’t fundamentally alter how her abilities work.

  • Palatine Fang
    • Horizontal swing damage reduced from 50 to 45.

Stadium Updates

  • Martian Mender – Epic Survival General Item
    • Reduced Cooldown Reduction to 5% (Down from 10%).

We’re making it harder to get a lot of Cooldown Reduction from regular items, so players will have to make bigger trade-offs to achieve it.

Stadium Tank Hero Updates

Doomfist

Since Doomfist launched, he hasn’t been very effective in the Stadium game mode. We’re making some adjustments to improve how consistently powerful his abilities are, and also how quickly he earns in-game currency. These changes are designed to make him a more dependable pick without significantly increasing his overall damage potential or ability to instantly eliminate opponents.

  • Currency gained from damage and healing increased by 25%.
  • Aftershock — Power
    • Increased secondary shockwave damage to 60% (Up from 50%).
  • Asteroid Smash – Power
    • Now grants ultimate charge.
    • Cooldown reduced to 12s (Down from 15s).
  • Block Party — Power
    • Block Party has been disabled at this time due to an issue.
  • Jab Cross – Power
    • Increased Melee Attack Speed after using an ability to 75% (Up from 50%).
  • Jetforce Jab – Power
    • Increased Burn Damage on Rocket Punch to 20% (Up from 15%).
  • Slam Wham – Power
    • Increased Seismic Slam Range per meter traveled to 6% (Up from 4%).

Sigma

Recent changes to Sigma’s main weapon made him too powerful. His ability, Zero Gravity, was too readily available and kept him safe, letting him easily escape or move without much danger. Plus, certain items were boosting his damage too quickly for their price. These updates reduce his movement and how fast he becomes strong, and also adjust item costs to better match their effectiveness. We’ve slightly lowered the price of The Harness to ensure that builds focused on ability power remain viable as other options are adjusted.

  • Zero Gravity — Power
    • Decreased duration to 1.5s (Down from 4s).
  • Antimatter — Epic Weapon Hero Item
    • Increased cost to 12000 (Up from 10000).
    • Decreased weapon power to 10% (Down from 15%).
  • Velocity Vector – Rare Weapon Hero Item
    • Increased cost to 6000 (Up from 4500).
  • The Harness – Epic Ability Hero Item
    • Decreased cost to 10000 (Down from 11000).

Winston

Winston has been very strong lately, so we’re making some changes to how quickly his Jump Pack ability becomes fully charged. Some of the items that boost this ability were too effective for their cost, allowing Winston to jump repeatedly with little delay and remain safer than we intended while attacking. We want Winston to feel impactful when he engages, but that engagement should come with some risk and create opportunities for opponents to counter him. We love Primal Rage and aren’t changing that right now. Instead of directly weakening Winston’s abilities, we’re adjusting the costs and survivability of his supporting items. This will help balance his overall power without sacrificing the fun and exciting playstyle that makes him so popular.

  • Primal Punch – Power
    • Decreased melee damage to 3% (Down from 5%).
  • Premium Peanut Butter – Rare Survival Hero Item
    • Increased cost to 6000 (Up from 4000).
  • Zero-G Suit – Rare Ability Hero Item
    • Increased cost to 6000 (Up from 4000).
    • Removed cooldown reduction.
  • Horizon Expander – Epic Ability Hero Item
    • Increased cost to 12500 (Up from 11000).
  • Fortified Jump Pack – Epic Survival Hero Item
    • Increased cost to 12500 (Up from 10000).
    • Decreased damage reduction to 20% (Down from 35%).

Stadium Support Hero Updates

Ana

These updates are designed to make Ana a more impactful playmaker and encourage skilled, aggressive plays. We’ve significantly increased the speed of her Biotic Grenade (Artsy Dartsy), allowing her to more effectively disrupt enemies, especially those who are moving or jumping. Her Biotic Rifle (Falconer) now provides consistent damage and makes it easier to build up to her Nano Boost ultimate. So, let your Genji know you’re ready to boost!

  • Artsy Dartsy — Power
    • Increased projectile speed to 300% (Up from 150%).
  • Falconer
    • Increased attack speed to 30% (Up from 20%).
    • Increased ultimate charge to 25% (Up from 15%).

Brigitte

Scavenged Steel has been particularly strong with Rally builds, so we’re making some adjustments to bring its power level closer to her other options.

  • Scavenged Steel – Epic Ability Hero Item
    • Reduced Ultimate Charge gain on Ability Damage to 2% (Down from 3%).

Bugfixes

  • Fixed an issue where Aquajet amplifier wasn’t granting weapon power to Wuyang.
  • Fixed an issue where Thick skin was giving constant armor healing to Winston.
  • Fixed an issue where players were earning too much currency from Damage and Healing in Quick Play.
  • We’ve released a fix to resolve an issue where some players were unable to exchange Cookies in the Winter Wonderland event.

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2025-12-19 04:07