Overwatch 2 Reveals Mid-Season 9 Tank and Support Buffs, DPS Passive Nerf

08.03.2024 - 02:06 / gamerant.com / Aaron Keller / Eric Law

Overwatch 2 just revealed a slew of changes coming in the mid-Season 9 patch, including a slight nerf to the new DPS passive, and buffs to Ana, Lifeweaver, Doomfist, and Mauga. These changes and more will arrive in Overwatch 2 on March 12.

Season 9 of Overwatch 2 introduced some significant changes to the way the game works. Most heroes had their health, damage, and projectiles changed, every hero was given a passive healing effect, and DPS were given a new passive that reduces their targets’ healing received by 20%.

Now that the season is about halfway through, Overwatch 2 is turning the balance knobs once more. In a recent Overwatch 2 Director’s Take, game director Aaron Keller revealed some of the changes Blizzard is making in the upcoming midseason patch. The DPS passive is being reduced to a 15% healing penalty in an attempt to rebalance its impact on the game. Additionally, about half the hero roster is receiving changes to this patch, but Keller gave specifics on buffs coming to Ana’s Biotic Grenade, Lifeweaver’s healing, Doomfist’s Meteor Stirke, and Mauga’s Cardiac Overdrive and Stomp.

Keller also confirmed Wrecking Ball would not be receiving any changes in this particular patch. This is because the developer is giving the Overwatch 2 hero a small rework in Season 10, which should release on or around April 9. Additionally, it will be running a new Quick Play: Hacked later this season. Called Double Trouble, this event will allow players on the same team to pick the same hero, though role restrictions will still be in place.

With the drastic changes in Season 9, it is not surprising that Overwatch 2 is making some more adjustments now. According to Keller, the goal of these tweaks is to help keep every hero viable in light of the Overwatch 2 Season 9 shakeups. He also clarified that Overwatch 2 is continuing to monitor gameplay and fan feedback to make more adjustments in the future.

The mid-season patch isn’t the only thing players can look forward to on March 12. Overwatch 2 is officially beginning its Cowboy Bebop collaboration on the same day, featuring five new skins: Spike Spiegel Cassidy, Faye Valentine Ashe, Jet Black Mauga, Ed Sombra, and Ein Wrecking Ball. The Ein skin will be available via a free unlock, while the others can be purchased from the shop. Fans can expect the in-game skins to be revealed no later than the day before the event begins.

Overwatch 2 is Blizzard's free-to-play team-based first-person shooter. The title features some new heroes like Junker Queen and Sojourn, as well as returning favorites.