Overwatch 2 launch balance changes
Overwatch 2 is officially launching today, on 4 October 2022. You don’t need to purchase the game again, but you do get some bonuses for owning the original Overwatch, which is now shut down for good. As a free-to-play title, Overwatch 2 is sure to turn some heads, and several esports titles are likely to pop up very soon.
If you are a competitive gamer who might be a little out of the loop on Overwatch 2, then we’ve got you covered with the hero balance changes at launch so you can pick the best team composition.
Overwatch 2 hero balance changes
Blizzard has outlined all the hero balance changes for Overwatch 2’s highly-anticipated launch. Inside the balance changes, you will find adjustments to everyone’s favourite healer, Mercy, nerfs to Junker Queen, Brigitte, and Sojourn. Some nice buffs will make Orisa, D.Va and Bastion fans very happy.
Below, you can check out all the official Overwatch 2 balance changes for launch for several heroes, including buffs and nerfs.
Junker Queen (Commanding Shout nerf):
- Allied health bonus reduced from 100 to 50 HP
- Allied duration reduced from 5 to 3 seconds
- Temporary health no longer decays over its duration
- Cooldown increased from 11 to 15 seconds
Sojourn nerf:
- Railgun energy gain from non-player targets (barriers, turrets, etc.) reduced by an additional 50%
Brigitte nerf:
- Inspire duration reduced from 6 to 5 seconds
D.Va buff:
- Boosters impact damage increased from 10 to 25
- Micro Missiles cooldown reduced from 8 to 7 seconds
- Call Mech ultimate cost reduced by 12%
Orisa buff:
- Base health increased from 250 to 275
- Base armor increased from 250 to 275
- Energy Javelin cooldown reduced from 8 to 6 seconds
Baptiste buff:
- Biotic Launcher primary fire damage increased from 24 to 25
- Biotic Launcher primary fire minimum falloff range increased from 20 to 25 meters
Reaper buff:
- Hellfire Shotguns spread reduced from 8 to 7 degrees
Sombra buff:
- Hack ability lockout duration increased from 1 to 1.75 seconds
Bastion buff:
- Ironclad passive is enabled again (20% damage reduction while transformed)
Mercy changes:
- Pressing Crouch during Guardian Angel now launches you straight up
- Angelic Descent can now be activated by holding Crouch while airborne
Alongside the hero balance changes, there are also some general changes, such as that temporary health now grants 50% reduced ultimate charge instead of zero ultimate charges. All heroes now refund up to 30% ultimate power on hero swap, and there’s a new passive that allows eliminations to grant 25% increased reload and movement speed for 2.5 seconds. It does not stack with itself but will refresh the duration.
We can’t wait to see how the esports community reacts to Overwatch 2 and when the first local tournaments start to appear. When competing, remember these balance changes!
Header image via Blizzard.
