Overwatch 2 Season 5 Patch Notes Balance Changes
by Rubaditsha
Updated Jun 07, 2023
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Overwatch 2 Overview
Overwatch 2, developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment in 2022, is a first-person shooter game that serves as a sequel and replacement to the popular hero shooter, Overwatch, released in 2016. While initially planned to introduce persistent cooperative modes, the focus shifted to creating a shared environment for player-versus-player (PvP) modes. As a significant change, team sizes were reduced from six to five players in PvP matches. The game underwent reworks for several major characters to enhance gameplay dynamics.
Overwatch 2 is available as a free-to-play title on multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game entered early access on October 4 and supports full cross-platform play, allowing players on different systems to compete together.
In terms of gameplay, Overwatch 2 is a hero shooter where players choose a "hero" from a diverse roster of 35 characters. These heroes are categorized into three classes: damage, support, and tank. Each hero possesses a unique set of active, passive, and ultimate abilities. The game primarily revolves around engaging in PvP combat across various modes and maps, offering both casual and ranked competitive matches.
To speed up gameplay and reduce complexity, the number of tank slots was reduced by one, resulting in a five-player team composition. This adjustment aimed to streamline gameplay and make it more manageable for both players and spectators.
New maps were designed to provide additional cover options to compensate for the reduced tank-based protection. Additionally, damage class heroes received increased movement speed, support heroes have passive health regeneration, and tank heroes were reimagined to take on a more offensive role.
The visual design of heroes was also refreshed to reflect the progression of time since the events of the original game. Overwatch 2 introduced a ping system to facilitate effective communication and coordination among teammates by directing attention to specific points on the map.
A new PvP mode called "Push" was introduced in Overwatch 2. This mode involves teams competing to gain control of a robot that pushes a payload toward the opponent's side of the map, resembling a tug of war concept. Push has been integrated into Unranked and Competitive play, and it replaced the Assault mode in the standard map rotation of the Overwatch League.
Some existing gameplay modes may be discontinued in Overwatch 2, as certain Assault maps, including Paris and Horizon Lunar Colony, were considered unbalanced based on community feedback. However, other Assault maps like Hanamura and Temple of Anubis may still be available for custom games or non-competitive arcade modes.
Overwatch 2 departed from the premium monetization model of its predecessor. Instead of loot boxes, the game adopted a battle pass system tied to seasons, with new maps and heroes introduced alongside each season. The in-game store offers direct purchases of cosmetic items. Blizzard stated that new heroes would be obtainable as rewards on the free tier of the battle pass, ensuring players who don't reach the associated tier still have alternative means to acquire the hero in subsequent seasons.
Overwatch 2 Season 5 Patch Notes Balance Changes
In a recent statement during a Developer Update, the Overwatch team reflected on the conclusion of Season Four and highlighted the overall balance achieved throughout the season. They noted that a diverse range of heroes was played, contributing to a sense of equilibrium within the game.
Seasons Three and Four were specifically recognized as some of the most balanced periods in recent Overwatch history, judging from win rate data. Building upon this success, the team outlined three key topics from Season Four that would undergo changes and developments in Season Five and beyond. These topics included the heroes Junker Queen and Lifeweaver, the issue of one-shot abilities, and the role of crowd control in the context of 5v5 gameplay.
Regarding Junker Queen, the development team acknowledged her rise to dominance following a series of buffs in the midseason patch. They observed a significant increase in her win rate and popularity, elevating her from being one of the least picked tanks to one of the most picked across various skill tiers. To address her excessive survivability, the team plans to reduce the health gained from her Commanding Shout ability from 200 to 150. Furthermore, adjustments will be made to the charge rate of her ultimate ability, as it has become available more frequently since the midseason changes.
Lifeweaver, despite displaying dynamic gameplay during Season Four, was deemed underpowered and not a reliable choice for most players. The development team expressed their intention to introduce new heroes with unique attributes, encouraging diversity in hero selection.
While seeking to establish a baseline for Lifeweaver's effectiveness, the team anticipates player experience to provide valuable insights into the hero's strengths and weaknesses. Based on this feedback, adjustments, mostly buffs, will be implemented in Season Five, such as increased healing and damage output, a heal effect on Life Grip, a slightly reduced hitbox, and quality-of-life enhancements to Petal Platform.
The team also addressed concerns raised by the community regarding the prevalence of one-shot abilities, particularly from heroes like Widowmaker and Hanzo. In response, they expressed the goal of reducing the frequency of these occurrences and minimizing extreme sightlines in certain maps.
To achieve this, adjustments will be made to Widowmaker's damage falloff range, narrowing it from 70-100 meters to 40-60 meters, with an increased damage falloff scalar from 30% to 50%. While Widowmaker will still be capable of one-shotting 200 health heroes within close range, this capability will diminish beyond a specific distance.
Similarly, Hanzo's damage will undergo a slight nerf, preventing him from one-shotting heroes with 250 health. Additionally, his Sonic Arrow will be enhanced to make it more recognizable to the enemy team, reducing surprise kills. The team acknowledged ongoing discussions about the impact and viability of one-shot abilities in Overwatch 2.
Another significant aspect discussed in the Developer Update was the role of crowd control abilities in Overwatch 2. The transition from 6v6 to 5v5 gameplay in Overwatch 2 brought about substantial changes to the combat model. One notable change was the reduction in crowd control abilities among damage and support heroes, with the aim of creating a more balanced gameplay experience.
While the team acknowledged the positive impact of this adjustment, preventing the game from feeling excessively chaotic, they also recognized the importance of accounting for the mobility of various heroes. As a result, the team is adopting a softer approach, allowing for the inclusion of additional crowd control effects, particularly soft crowd control, in the hero lineup.
Mei and Cassidy will receive specific changes in Season Five, including an update to Mei's Endothermic Blaster, which will introduce a buildup mechanic for a more potent slow effect. This change will evoke a sense of familiarity for players of the original game. Additionally, Cassidy's magnetic Grenade will deal reduced damage while applying a slow effect and blocking movement abilities.
In addition to these adjustments, the Developer Update mentioned that various other heroes will undergo tweaks in Season Five. The team encouraged players to stay tuned for the detailed patch notes, which will outline these changes, as well as exciting features coming to the game. The Overwatch 2 development team expressed gratitude to the community for their support and reiterated their commitment to providing a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience.
Overwatch 2 Developer Update
In a recent Overwatch 2 Developer Update, the team addressed various aspects of the game, providing valuable insights into the upcoming changes and adjustments. One of the focal points was the game's balance, specifically focusing on Season Four and its positive impact on hero selection and win rates. The team expressed their satisfaction with the overall balance achieved during Seasons Three and Four, considering them to be some of the most balanced periods in recent Overwatch history.
The Developer Update delved into three key topics from Season Four that will undergo changes in Season Five and beyond. The first topic centered around the hero Junker Queen, who received significant buffs during the midseason patch. These buffs elevated her popularity and win rate, making her one of the most frequently picked tanks, particularly at the Masters and higher ranks. To address her increased survivability, the team decided to reduce the health gained from her Commanding Shout ability from 200 to 150. They also acknowledged that her ultimate ability charge rate had increased too much, leading to adjustments to its cost.
The second topic revolved around the hero Lifeweaver, who, despite showcasing dynamic gameplay, was not considered powerful enough to be a solid pick for most players. The development team expressed their goal of having new heroes bring fresh elements to the game, and they acknowledged the need to bring Lifeweaver to a baseline level. Season Five will introduce a series of buffs for Lifeweaver, including increased healing and damage output, a heal effect on Life Grip, a slightly reduced hitbox, and quality-of-life improvements to Petal Platform.
The Developer Update also addressed concerns raised by the community regarding one-shot abilities from heroes like Widowmaker and Hanzo. In response, Widowmaker's damage falloff range will be adjusted, ensuring that she can still eliminate 200 health heroes within close proximity, but her effectiveness will be reduced beyond a certain range. Hanzo's damage will undergo a slight nerf, preventing him from one-shotting heroes with 250 health. Additionally, his Sonic Arrow will be modified to make it more noticeable to the enemy team, decreasing surprise kills.
Lastly, the team discussed crowd control abilities in Overwatch 2. They acknowledged the positive impact of the transition from 6v6 to 5v5 gameplay, which reduced the prevalence of crowd control effects. However, they recognized the need for a balanced approach that allows for the inclusion of soft crowd control in the hero lineup. Mei and Cassidy will receive changes in Season Five, with Mei's Endothermic Blaster introducing a build-up mechanic for a more impactful slow effect, and Cassidy's magnetic Grenade dealing less damage while applying a slow and blocking movement abilities.
The Developer Update concluded by mentioning that additional tweaks will be made to several other heroes in Season Five. Players were encouraged to stay tuned for the detailed patch notes, which will highlight these changes, along with exciting features coming to the game. The Overwatch 2 development team expressed their appreciation to the community for their support and emphasized their commitment to delivering a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience.
Overwatch 2 Upcoming Patch Notes Season 5
The highly anticipated upcoming patch for Overwatch 2 brings a range of changes based on the recent Developer Update. Season Four's conclusion saw a commendable level of balance in the game, with a diverse selection of heroes being played. This trend will continue as the development team focuses on refining the gameplay experience in Season Five and beyond. Let's delve into the key adjustments that players can expect in the upcoming patch.
Junker Queen, who demonstrated a dominant presence after receiving a series of buffs in the midseason patch, will undergo specific modifications to address her high survivability. Her healing received from the Commanding Shout ability will be reduced from 200 to 150, ensuring a more balanced gameplay experience. Additionally, the cost of her ultimate ability will be increased slightly to align with her adjusted power level.
Lifeweaver, a dynamic hero with impressive gameplay moments in Season Four, will be receiving a significant boost to make him a more compelling choice for players.
In Season Five, expect a range of buffs for Lifeweaver, including increased healing and damage output, a healing effect added to Life Grip, a slightly reduced hitbox, and quality-of-life improvements to Petal Platform. These enhancements aim to establish a more solid baseline for Lifeweaver's effectiveness, fostering greater diversity in hero selection.
The community's concerns regarding one-shot abilities from heroes like Widowmaker and Hanzo have been heard and addressed. To reduce the frequency of these powerful attacks, Widowmaker's damage falloff range will be adjusted from 70-100 meters to 40-60 meters. Moreover, the damage falloff scalar will increase from 30% to 50%.
While Widowmaker will retain her ability to eliminate 200 health heroes within close range, her effectiveness beyond a certain distance will be diminished. Hanzo, on the other hand, will experience a slight reduction in his damage output to prevent him from instantly eliminating heroes with 250 health.
Additionally, his Sonic Arrow ability will be made more recognizable, aiming to minimize surprise kills that can feel unfair to opponents. The Overwatch team continues to engage in ongoing discussions regarding the impact and balance of one-shot abilities in Overwatch 2.
The combat model in Overwatch 2 underwent significant changes, transitioning from 6v6 to 5v5 gameplay. One notable adjustment involved reducing the number of crowd control abilities among damage and support heroes. This change aimed to strike a better balance, alleviating the feeling of excessive chaos in matches.
However, recognizing the importance of accounting for the mobility of various heroes, the development team is adopting a softer approach. Consequently, Season Five will introduce adjustments to Mei and Cassidy. Mei's Endothermic Blaster will now feature a buildup mechanic, providing a more potent slow effect that players familiar with the original game will find reminiscent.
Cassidy's magnetic Grenade, while dealing reduced damage, will apply a slow effect and block movement abilities. These changes aim to strike a delicate balance between crowd control capabilities and maintaining a healthy and engaging gameplay experience.
In addition to these significant hero adjustments, the upcoming patch for Season Five will include tweaks to several other heroes. The detailed patch notes, eagerly anticipated by the community, will provide a comprehensive overview of all the changes players can expect. The development team is excited to share these updates and looks forward to players experiencing the new and improved gameplay elements in Overwatch 2.
With a commitment to providing a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience, the Overwatch 2 development team expresses their gratitude to the community for their ongoing support. Stay tuned for the patch notes and prepare to embark on thrilling adventures in the ever-evolving world of Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2 Season 5 Patch Notes Balance Changes: FAQs
Overwatch 2 is a first-person shooter game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment. It serves as a sequel and replacement to the original game, Overwatch.
Overwatch 2 entered early access on October 4, 2022.
Overwatch 2 is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
Yes, Overwatch 2 is free-to-play.