The latest update of Overwatch is live. From now on, there are mandatory roles for all players. Additionally, there are many buffs and nerfs along with a new hero.
Last night, Blizzard deployed the latest patch for Overwatch, which is now available on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. We will reveal to you what new features are available and what balance changes you will have to live with in the future.
Role queue is finally here: From now on, players must specify whether they want to be a tank, healer, or damage dealer when queuing. In-game (Quick Match and Ranked), they can only play the role they signed up for. This ensures that both teams have a healthy mix and enter with a “2-2-2” setup. This is intended to reduce frustration, and no one should feel forced to play something they don’t want to. More details about the Role Queue can be found in this article.
Sigma, the new hero: The second major update is a new hero, namely the tank Sigma. He has a pretty dark backstory that you can read about here. He is able to create a shield at range and has a devastating ultimate that subtracts 50% of the maximum health of all affected enemies. Additionally, he throws massive boulders. Sigma’s abilities are detailed here.
Patch 1.39 of Overwatch brings many balance changes
In addition to Sigma, much has also been changed for the other heroes. We have listed all changes in detail for you here.
General
- The costs for all ultimates have been increased by 12%.
- Slow effects: Friendly and enemy slow effects are no longer stackable. Instead, the effect causing the greatest slow will be chosen. For example: Reinhardt’s slow walking with the shield and the laser from Symmetra’s turrets no longer slow him down double.
- Beam weapons (Symmetra, Zarya) now deal their intended damage to targets that dodge quickly.
Changes to the heroes
Ashe
- Ammo now reloads faster, needing 0.25 seconds per bullet (previously 0.3 seconds).
Brigitte
- Inspire (Passive)
- Healing has been increased from 100 to 130
- Self-healing has been halved.
- Repair Pack
- Now has 3 charges
- Healing has been reduced from 150 to 120
- Now heals over 2 seconds instead of instantly
- Multiple charges on one person extend the duration by 2 seconds each
- Whip Shot
- Now fires forward faster.
- Retracts within 0.3 seconds (previously 0.6 seconds).
- Barrier Shield
- Health has been reduced from 500 to 200.
- Shield Bash
- The duration of the stun has been reduced from 0.9 seconds to 0.75 seconds.
- Rally
- The costs for the ultimate have been increased by 10%.
D.Va
- Call Mech
- The costs for the ultimate have been reduced by 12%.
Doomfist
- Melee attacks no longer pause weapon reloading.
Hanzo
- Storm Arrows
- Ammo has been reduced from 6 to 5.
Orisa
- Protective Barrier
- Cooldown has been increased from 8 to 9 seconds.
Reinhardt
- New passive effect “Steadfast”: Reduces knockback taken by 30%.
Sombra
- Hack
- Now lasts 5 seconds on enemy players instead of 6 seconds.
- EMP
- Activation time has been increased from 0.2 seconds to 0.35 seconds.
Symmetra
- Teleporter
- Now lasts indefinitely or until destroyed.
- Symmetra can destroy the teleporter herself if she chooses to.
- Cooldown begins when the teleporter has been destroyed.
- Maximum range has been increased from 25 meters to 30 meters.
- The teleporter is destroyed if one of the two portals is more than 40 meters away from the other (e.g. due to moving platforms).
Tracer
- Pulse Bomb
- Damage has been increased from 300 to 350.
Wrecking Ball (Hammond)
- Mines
- Mines now fly at a higher speed, distributing in a larger area.
- Activation time has been reduced from 0.25 to 0.1 seconds.
What do you think of all these changes and updates?
