The latest patch for Overwatch has hit D.Va hard. What was supposed to be a buff for the Defense Matrix has turned into a severe bug.
Patch 1.8 for Overwatch has significantly disrupted the game balance again. Yet among all the improvements for Bastion and adjustments for Mercy and Roadhog, a somewhat neglected tank was also supposed to receive a buff: D.Va.
The Defense Matrix should now intercept projectiles as soon as they leave the barrel of the opponent. Previously, they had to travel a minimum distance before they could be absorbed. This led to situations where Roadhog could shoot players covered by the Defense Matrix with the “hook-shotgun combo”.
The good news: D.Va can now save people from Roadhog.
The bad news: The Defense Matrix has become quite leaky otherwise.
Under certain circumstances, the Defense Matrix has no effect, even allowing D.Va herself to be injured – even while aiming directly at the enemy shooter with the Matrix.
This bug occurs mainly when another player is between D.Va and the shooter – for example, a Reinhardt trying to shield the shooter for D.Va. If D.Va uses the Defense Matrix and “envelops” Reinhardt with it, projectiles from a character standing behind will simply race through the Matrix and destroy the mech. YouTuber Toon Link has made a video showcasing the bug in all its forms.
In the forums and on Reddit, the bug is deemed serious enough that reasonable gameplay is currently nearly impossible because D.Va’s utility is massively restricted. This is especially true when facing Bastions in battle – which, to be honest, is the case in every round right now.
