Tricks and Treats for Overwatch 2: Season 13 Hero Adjustments 💡

Hello and happy Autumn, gaming enthusiasts! 🍂 With the chill in the air and pumpkin spice everywhere (can we pass on that?), it’s time to dive into another thrilling season of Overwatch 2. Season 13 is right around the corner, and we have a plethora of exciting tricks, tweaks, and treats lined up that will make your gaming experience enchanting this year!

In our latest Developer Update, we revealed fantastic insights about what's coming your way, including an up-close look at the new Spellbinder Widowmaker Mythic Skin, significant changes to four maps, fresh updates to the in-game scoreboard, and a glimpse at the spooky Junkenstein’s Laboratory. 🌌

Hero Adjustments: A Closer Look

Let’s kick things off by discussing our hero adjustments that are sure to level up your gameplay.

1. Tank Adjustments: 

Ramattra is in for some notable tweaks! His Pummel in Nemesis form will no longer pierce barriers but will inflict 2.5 times damage on them. This allows for strategic gameplay where Ramattra players must decide whether to break an enemy barrier, making them vulnerable to teammate attacks, or to focus on individual targets. This change also gives heroes like Reinhardt more tactical choices regarding barrier management.

2. Damage Tweaks: 

Mauga's Gunny, his Incendiary Chaingun, will see an increase in ignite damage duration, lasting four seconds! This makes it easier for players to target smaller foes without overpowering him against other tanks. Sojourn, meanwhile, is receiving buffs to her Railgun and Disruptor shot, enhancing her skill-based playstyle. With energy mechanics changing, players will find new ways to utilize her kit effectively.

3. Support Changes: 

Juno will experience a reduction in healing effectiveness, pushing players to engage more with her mobility. Alongside adjustments to Brigitte and Baptiste, these changes aim to balance the support role while retaining their essential gameplay elements.

4. Sombra Revamp: 

The beloved Sombra will see significant changes as well. The Stealth ability now instantly activates with Translocator, staying active for just five seconds. This new mechanic enhances her combat effectiveness while requiring players to be more tactical with their positioning. Additionally, her Opportunist passive is back, allowing players to spot critically injured opponents through walls.

Competitive Play Improvements

In the spirit of fair play, the competitive matchmaking system is getting a facelift. We've improved the matchmaking algorithm to prioritize shorter queue times, especially for Tank players. Higher-rank matches will factor in grouping advantages, ensuring a balanced competitive environment.

New Top 500 players will need to win 750 games in Competitive Play to qualify for leaderboard eligibility, a change designed to recognize dedication and skill over mere playtime. With all these changes, we believe that Overwatch 2 will become an even more engaging platform for both casual and competitive players alike.

Conclusion

As we gear up for Season 13, the changes coming to Overwatch 2 promise to enrich your gaming experience. We’re excited to see how these tweaks will enhance gameplay dynamics and strategic thinking. Be sure to check out the patch notes when the new season kicks off next Tuesday!

We hope you’re as enchanted as we are! 🧙‍♂️ Share your thoughts and stay tuned for our next Developer Update on Monday. Let’s make Season 13 of Overwatch 2 a thrilling journey together!