A recent update to Overwatch 2 has brought significant changes to several characters. Released on July 12, this hotfix targets heroes like Ramattra, Zarya, Pharah, Illari, and Lucio, refining their abilities and gameplay balance.
These adjustments aim to enhance the overall player experience and keep the game dynamic. The updates reflect Blizzard’s ongoing efforts to maintain balance and competitiveness in Overwatch 2.
Overwatch 2 hotfix adjusts Ramattra and Zarya
A recent hotfix for Overwatch 2 introduced changes to the tank heroes, Ramattra and Zarya. Ramattra’s adjustments include an increased cooldown for his Nemesis Form, now at 8 seconds instead of 7. Additionally, his base armor dropped from 100 to 75, and his base health decreased from 275 to 250.
Zarya faced reductions to her Particle Barrier and Projected Barrier abilities. The shared cooldown for both barriers increased from 10 to 11 seconds. Furthermore, the duration of these barriers dropped from 2.5 to 2.25 seconds.
| Hero | Ability | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Ramattra | Nemesis Form | Cooldown: 8s, Base Armor: 75, Base Health: 250 |
| Zarya | Particle Barrier | Shared Cooldown: 11s, Duration: 2.25s |
| Zarya | Projected Barrier | Shared Cooldown: 11s, Duration: 2.25s |
Overwatch 2 hotfix patch notes: Pharah, Illari, and Lucio
Pharah received a reduction in her base health, now decreased from 250 to 225. This change will impact her durability in combat.
Illari experienced two adjustments. The cooldown for her Healing Pylon was extended from 12 to 14 seconds. Additionally, the cost of her Captive Sun ultimate was raised by 12%.
Lucio saw a modification to his Sonic Amplifier. The weapon’s knockback effect has been decreased by 10%, affecting its utility in disrupting enemies.
| Hero | Role | Ability | Overwatch 2 Hotfix Patch Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharah | Damage | N/A | Base health reduced from 250 to 225 |
| Illari | Support | Healing Pylon | Cooldown increased from 12 to 14 seconds |
| Illari | Support | Captive Sun (Ultimate) | Ultimate cost increased 12% |
| Lucio | Support | Sonic Amplifier (Primary Fire) | Knockback reduced by 10% |
Overwatch 2 Team Discusses July 12 Patch Notes
Lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson revealed that the recent hotfix aimed to address certain outliers. According to Dawson, this patch strives to balance tank survivability, achieving a middle ground compared to pre and post-Season 9. He mentioned that the team is focusing on the intricate aspects of the patch and its long-term effects.
Dawson expressed his intent to provide a detailed analysis of these effects in the coming week. He appreciated player feedback throughout the process, acknowledging the bold nature of the patch.
Game director Aaron Keller also shared insights, mentioning that the team has been diligently monitoring the patch and gathering player feedback. Keller assured that the monitoring would continue over the weekend.
