Summary
Overwatch 2just put out a surprise content update featuring hero balance for both normal matches and the Halloween Terror game mode Junkenstein’s Laboratory. With buffs to Ramattra and Wrecking Ball, nerfs to Orisa and Juno, and even more changes to Sombra, this new patch promises to shake things up ahead of theOverwatch 2mid-Season 13 patch.
On October 15,Overwatch 2began Season 13: Spellbinder. In addition to a bunch of balance changes to its cast of heroes, the update introduced Junkenstein’s Laboratory, a limited-time Halloween Terror game mode featuring customizable talents that enhance and change the way certain heroes play across each round.
Now,Overwatch 2has introduced a new content update featuring additional hero balance changes. The recent adjustments to Ramattra’s Pummel have been reverted, allowing him to punch through barriers once more, while Wrecking Ball’s ammo and Grappling Claw duration have been increased. Juno and Orisa were both nerfed, with the former’s ult now healing less health per second, and the latter having some of her armor turned into health, her Energy Javelin’s damage reduced, and Fortify’s heat sink feature removed. Lastly,Sombra has received further tweaks inOverwatch 2, with a slightly faster EMP charge and Stealth reaction when using Translocator, but with Hack now revealing her from Stealth.
Interestingly enough, thisOverwatch 2patch also introduced changes to Junkenstein’s Laboratory. Some of the Mutations used by Ashe, Genji, Kiriko, Mercy, Moira, Orisa, and Reaper received buffs, while a few of D.Va, Pharah, and Zenyatta’s selections were nerfed. The game mode will be available through November 4, so players have a week from the patch day to experiment with these new Mutations.
Typically,Overwatch 2implements hero balance updates each month, once for each bi-monthly major content update, and again for the mid-season cycle. This update was a welcome surprise that arrived outside the expected schedule, and withOverwatch 2’s new Rapid Balance Update technology, this may become the norm for the FPS.
Players can expect another hero balance update in just a few weeks. The mid-season patch forOverwatch 2is likely to drop on November 12 or 19, almost certainly bringing with it even more buffs and nerfs to its cast of characters. What’s more, severalnewOverwatch 2Quick Play: Hacked game modesare coming soon, leading up to some exciting 6v6 tests once Season 14 rolls around in December.
Arcade Updates
Junkenstein’s Laboratory
We have been excited to see everyone playing and trying out the different mutations Junkenstein’s Laboratory for the last couple of weeks. As we enter the final week of this limited-time event we are going to make some adjustments to the different mutations each hero can receive before each round. Junkenstein’s Laboratory will still be playable in the Arcade through November 4.
Competitive Updates
Starting in Season 13 for games of Open Queue Competitive, we now match players in wide groups, narrow groups, and solo players in the same matchmaking pool. This change is aimed at helping groups of any size in Open Queue from having to wait extremely long wait times to find a match. We will be removing the Wide Group modifier and notification UI in Open Queue Competitive in a future update.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
