Overwatch 2 players can anticipate a significant shift in hero dynamics as the mid-Season 9 patch, scheduled for March 12, brings adjustments to damage-per-second (DPS) passives and boosts to certain tank and support heroes. Game director Aaron Keller provided insights into the upcoming changes designed to maintain a balanced and competitive gameplay experience.
(Photo : Blizzard Entertainment / Screenshot taken from Steam.)
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DPS Passive Nerf and Hero Buffs
The latest mid-Season 9 Overwatch 2 patch will see a reduction in the DPS passive's impact, decreasing the healing penalty from 20% to 15%. This tweak aims to recalibrate the influence of DPS characters on the overall game dynamics. Furthermore, a select group of heroes is set to receive buffs to enhance their abilities and contributions to team success.
Among the heroes receiving buffs, Ana's Biotic Grenade will see a boost in damage and healing, Lifeweaver's Healing Blossom will offer increased healing and a slightly longer charging time, Doomfist's Meteor Strike will feature a minimum damage increase, and Mauga's Cardiac Overdrive and Stomp will undergo adjustments to provide a more formidable presence on the battlefield.
Confirmed Changes in the Mid-Season 9 Patch
In the upcoming Overwatch 2 mid-Season 9 patch, here's what you should expect:
- DPS passive reduced from 20% to 15%.
- Ana's Biotic Grenade damage and healing increased from 60 to 90.
- Lifeweaver's maximum Healing Blossom healing increased from 70 to 80, with charging time extended to 1.15 seconds.
- Doomfist's Meteor Strike minimum damage increased from 15 to 50.
- Mauga's Cardiac Overdrive now provides 100 overhealth, with reduced duration (4 seconds) and cooldown (10 seconds).
- Mauga's Stomp damage increased from 45 to 60.
Game director Keller clarified that Wrecking Ball will not undergo changes in this particular patch, as the hero is slated for a small rework in Season 10, expected around April 9. Additionally, Overwatch 2 players can look forward to a new Quick Play event titled "Double Trouble" later in the season, allowing teammates to select the same hero, albeit within the constraints of role restrictions.
These adjustments come in the wake of the substantial alterations introduced in Season 9, with Keller emphasizing the developers' commitment to maintaining the viability of all heroes. Overwatch 2 continues to closely monitor player feedback and gameplay data to inform future adjustments.
In tandem with the mid-Season 9 patch, Overwatch 2 will kick off its Cowboy Bebop collaboration on March 12, featuring five new skins. Players can acquire the Ein skin through free unlock, while the remaining four skins, inspired by characters from the popular anime series, can be purchased from the in-game shop.
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