Overwatch 2 Releases New Update for October 2024

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Overwatch 2 Releases New Update for October 2024

Key Takeaways

  • A surprise update for Overwatch 2 introduces hero balance changes for regular matches and Junkenstein’s Laboratory.
  • Buffs to Ramattra and Wrecking Ball, nerfs to Orisa and Juno, and tweaks to Sombra offer gameplay variety.
  • Overwatch 2’s new Rapid Balance Update tech hints at more frequent surprise patches for player enjoyment.

Alrighty there, folks! I reckon this here update is like a breath of fresh air for us Overwatch enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy a good ol’ game o’ competitive queuing. Seems like they’re aimin’ to cut down on them wait times, and that’s music to my ears!

In a surprise move, Overwatch 2 has rolled out an unexpected content update, focusing on hero balance adjustments for regular matches and the Halloween Terror game mode, Junkenstein’s Laboratory. The update includes boosts for Ramattra and Wrecking Ball, while Orisa and Juno receive setbacks, with further tweaks to Sombra in the pipeline. This patch is expected to bring some changes ahead of the mid-Season 13 update for Overwatch 2.

Beginning on October 15, Season 13: Spellbinder for Overwatch 2 commenced. Alongside several hero balance adjustments, this update unveiled Junkenstein’s Laboratory – a limited-time Halloween Terror game mode. In this special event, players can customize talents that modify and transform the playstyle of certain heroes throughout each round.

Currently, the latest content update for Overwatch 2 includes modifications to game balance. Previously reverted changes have been made to Ramattra’s Pummel ability, enabling him to smash through barriers again. In addition, Wrecking Ball’s ammo and Grappling Claw duration have been extended. On the flip side, both Juno and Orisa have experienced nerfs. Specifically, Juno’s ult now heals less health per second, while some of Orisa’s armor has been converted into health. Furthermore, her Energy Javelin’s damage has been reduced, and the heat sink feature in Fortify has been removed. Last but not least, Sombra received more adjustments in Overwatch 2, with an accelerated EMP charge and quicker reaction when using Translocator, although Hack now exposes her from Stealth.

It’s worth noting that the latest update for Overwatch 2 not only made adjustments to the game itself, but also to Junkenstein’s Laboratory. Specifically, some of Ashe, Genji, Kiriko, Mercy, Moira, Orisa, and Reaper’s abilities got stronger (buffed), while D.Va, Pharah, and Zenyatta’s skills saw a decrease in power (nerfed). Players have until November 4 to try out these new abilities, as the game mode will be accessible up until that date, starting from the day of the patch release.

Usually, Overwatch 2 makes hero balance adjustments every month, twice for each bi-monthly major content update, and once more during the mid-season cycle. This unexpected update was a pleasant surprise, and with Overwatch 2’s new Rapid Balance Update system, this could become a regular occurrence in its first-person shooter (FPS) gameplay.

As a dedicated Overwatch 2 gamer, I’m thrilled to share that we’re on the brink of another hero balance update! The mid-season patch is set to release either on November 12th or 19th, and it’s sure to bring a fresh wave of adjustments to our beloved characters – be it buffs, nerfs, or tweaks. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for the arrival of some new Quick Play: Hacked game modes. These should make their debut soon, leading up to some exhilarating 6v6 tests when Season 14 starts in December!

Overwatch 2 Patch Notes – October 29, 2024

Arcade Updates

Junkenstein’s Laboratory

For the past few weeks, it’s been a blast watching you all experiment with various mutations in Junkenstein’s Laboratory! As we approach the final week of this special event, we’re going to fine-tune the types of mutations each hero can get before each round. Don’t worry, though, you’ll still be able to enjoy Junkenstein’s Laboratory in the Arcade until November 4.

  • Ashe
    • Trail by Fire
      • Damage to burning targets now earns an additional 30% ultimate charge, previously 25%
    • Fire and Fury
      • The Viper’s shots on burning targets now reduces the cooldowns of Coach Gun and Dynamite by 7%, previously 5%.
    • Demon’s Ward
      • We have increased the health of the shield from the deployed Barrier Projector to 600 from 300.
  • D.Va
    • Anti-Boost
      • Fixed an issue where Booster impact was dealing extra damage in addition to the anti-healing debuff.
    • No Escape
      • Weapon Damage increase is reduced to 75% was 100%.
  • Genji
    • Scary Speed
      • Shuriken critical hits now increases attack speed by 3%, up to 10 stacks, for 10 seconds, previously increased attack speed by 2%, up to 15 stacks, for 10 seconds.
    • Vampiric Deflect
      • Deflect now heals for 15% of your max health per second, previously 10%.
    • Bitter Revenge
      • Deflect now causes the next Swift Strike to deal up to 75% more damage based on the damage prevented, previously 50%.
    • Master Ward
      • Cooldown is now increased by 3 seconds, previously 5 seconds.
  • Kiriko
    • Not Your Time
      • Now delivers 30% extra healing to allies below 50% health, previously 25% extra healing.
    • Drawn Together
      • After teleporting, grant the nearest ally 75 Overhealth for 5 seconds, previously 50 Overhealth.
    • Unburdened
      • After throwing a Protection Suzu, attack speed is increased by 20% for 10 second, previously 5 seconds.
    • Vindictive Vision
      • Damaging enemies farther than 12 meters now reveals them for 5 seconds, previously 3 seconds.
    • Spirit World’s Gift
      • Protection Suzu now heals Kiriko for extra 100 health and grants and 25% movement speed for 5 seconds, previously 80 health for 3 seconds.
  • Mercy
    • Mend and Mar
      • Mercy now heals all allies within 20 meters for 150% of the damage she deals while not in Valkyrie, previously 100%. Healing for damage dealt while Valkyrie is active remains at 200%.
    • Power for a Price
      • Caduceus Staff’s damage boost now heals attached targets for 10% of their damage dealt to enemies, previously 7.5%.
    • Sustained Servant
      • The cooldown is reduced to 7 seconds, previously 10 seconds.
    • Witches Never Die
      • We have increased the health of the shield health from the deployed Barrier Projector to 600 from 300.
    • Fall from Grace
      • While using Angelic Descent, Movement Speed is now increased by 20%, previously 15%.
  • Moira
    • Frightening Fascination
      • Secondary Fire now stays locked to targets at a 40% narrow angle, previously from 50%.
    • Siphon Strike
      • Quick Melee now restores 15% of Max Biotic energy, previously 10%.
    • Equilibrium
      • Now reduces movement speed by 20%, previously 30%.
  • Orisa
    • Flight by Night
      • While casting Javelin Spin, Orisa gains free flight and 15% increased movement speed.
    • Megamonster
      • Gain 200% Overhealth while being slowed by 20%, previously 35%.
    • Waning Whirlwind
      • Javelin Spin now instantly depletes 90% of Max Augmented Fusion Driver’s Overheat meter, previously 50%.
    • Chilling Blow
      • Energy Javelin now instantly depletes 90% of Augmented Fusion Driver’s Overheat meter, previously 50%.
    • Arcane Energy
      • Energy Javelin now has 20% reduced cooldown, previously 15%.
    • Violence Begotten
      • Critical hits now increases attack speed by 8% for 5 seconds, previously 6%.
  • Pharah
    • Scare-ial Superiority
      • After using Jump Jets and Jet Dash, Pharah deals 20% more damage now for only 3 seconds, previously 5 seconds.
  • Reaper
    • Swift Shadow
      • Shadow Step cast time now reduced by 30%, previously 35%.
  • Zenyatta
    • Hallowed Speed
      • Harmony orb now buffs target with 20% movement speed, previously 25%.
    • Master and Disciple
      • Zenyatta now gains a 40% effective Harmony Orb on himself, previously 50%. The ally Harmony Orb effectiveness remains the same at 20%.

Competitive Updates

From Season 13 onwards, we’ve adjusted our competitive matchmaking system for Open Queue games. Now, players in large groups, smaller groups, and solo players all get matched together. This adjustment is designed to reduce the excessive wait times that larger groups might experience when searching for a game. In an upcoming update, we will eliminate the Wide Group modifier and related user interface from Open Queue Competitive.

Hero Balance

TANK

  • Orisa
    • Base health increased from 125 to 175.
    • Base armor reduced from 350 to 300.
    • Energy Javelin
      • Damage reduced from 80 to 70.
    • Fortify
      • No longer reduces Fusion Driver heat generation.
  • Ramattra
    • Pummel
      • Reverted to pierce barriers again.
      • No longer deals critical damage to barriers.
  • Wrecking Ball
    • Quad Cannons
      • Ammo increased from 80 to 100.
    • Grappling Claw
      • Duration increased from 6 to 8 seconds.

DAMAGE

  • Sombra
    • Hack
      • Now exits stealth when hacking an enemy target.
    • Translocator
      • Delay before entering stealth reduced from 0.5 to 0.33 seconds.
      • Fade in time reduced from 0.3 to 0.15 second.
    • EMP
      • Ultimate cost reduced by 10%.

SUPPORT

  • Juno
    • Orbital Ray
      • Healing reduced from 100 to 85 health per second.

Bug Fixes

General

  • Fixed an issue where the auto-requeue for Quick Play was not working correctly.
  • Fixed an issue that did not allow some OWL Player Icons to be purchased individually.
  • Fixed an issue with the HDR setting causing the game screen to turn black.
  • Fixed an issue where the first purchase attempt of a golden weapon failed.
  • Fixed an issue that caused Grey Overwatch League Overwatch 2 skins to be missing from the hero gallery.
  • In a previous update, fixed a crash in the hero gallery.

Maps

  • Dorado
    • Fixed an issue where the payload could be contested from unintended places on Dorado.

Heroes

  • Mercy
    • Fixed a bug with jump/crouch cancel staying active for longer than intended.
    • In a previous update, fixed an issue where players with Pink Mercy and Rose Gold Mercy skins equipped could not hear pistol sounds in first person.
  • Reaper
    • Fixed an issue where reaper would sometimes not play custom shadow step sounds in first person.
  • Reinhardt
    • In a previous update, fixed an issue where the All Might Reinhardt skin would not play Ultimate sounds.

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2024-10-29 23:44