Overwatch 2: Mid-Season 5 Hero Adjustments Explained

Overwatch 2

July 13, 2023

Jaishil Mistry

As the 2023 Summer Games are in full swing, fans of Blizzard’s team-based FPS, Overwatch 2, are not only enjoying new and familiar game modes in the Arcade but also exploring an updated catalog in the Overwatch 2 shop.

Alongside these, the developers have graced us with another round of balance changes, primarily focusing on damage mitigation. The most significant alterations are seen in the Tank and DPS roles, indicating a shift towards more aggressive tactics. Let’s delve into the latest hero changes in Overwatch 2 Season 5.

Credit: Overwatch 2

Ramattra gets a subtle buff

Ramattra, the Null Sector leader, has received a subtle improvement to his ability, Ravenous Vortex. This small projectile, which creates a damaging slow field upon colliding with the ground, now passes through enemies. This change not only addresses player complaints about accidental collisions but also secretly enhances his Annihilation combo’s potency.

Symmetra gets Turret tweak and Photon Projector buff

Symmetra, a long-time character in Overwatch, is known for her frustrating turrets. The developers have reduced her turret damage from 40 to 25 per second, but to compensate for this loss, they have powered up her Photon Projector. It now includes damage boosts and a new healing mechanic that provides her with 30HP/second whenever she damages a barrier or an enemy’s shield health. Additionally, allies can now see targets damaged by your turrets.

Torbjorn Turret nerfed and Primary Fire Buff

Torbjorn’s infamous turret has been nerfed in the midseason 5 patch, both in terms of DPS and cooldown. The developers have shifted much of Torb’s turret power to the rest of his kit, resulting in a tighter spread and an additional 6 ammo for his primary fire every time he uses Overload.

Soldier: 76 Damage and Healing Boost

The Overwatch 2 team has increased Soldier’s damage to 19 to avoid the 20 DMG powerspike seen at the beginning of the year. His Helix Rockets have also received a 10 DMG buff. Additionally, his Biotic Field’s healing output has been boosted from 35 to 40HP/second, suggesting a new role for Soldier: 76 mains on the battlefield.

The Patch Notes also include an extensive list of nerfs and buffs for a wide range of heroes. Season five started off with a wide array of hero balance changes, some of which represented philosophical shifts for Blizzard’s hero design team.

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