The next Overwatch patch notes arrived, with the February 11 update bringing experimental buffs to Orisa and Winston, while nerfing Reaper for now.
As with all Experimental mode adjustments, these are focus test changes that the developers are considering applying, but want to see how they affect overall gameplay in a safe environment.
While there aren’t many urgent issues that Bliz is aiming for an immediate balance shift, there are a handful of heroes they want to see more success or tone down, based on how the game is evolving.
Of course, although there are some who would like to see Wrecking Ball absolutely nerfed, the studio will test a preliminary round of changes for the rolling hamster along with some characters who need help.
Orisa and Winston buff
Blizzard is trying to make Orisa a more reliable tank in Overwatch.
Orisa has a straight chandelier. The Fortify skill now “prevents critical headshot damage while the effect is active,” giving the walking tank the ability to absorb much more damage.
The goal is to make Orisa’s presence a much more prominent fight, which is shortened by a few shots to the head as soon as the engagement begins.
Along with CC immunity, Community Manager Josh Nash revealed that developers want the hero’s skills to be “more consistent in his defensive abilities”.
Winston will be better prepared to fight on teams with the changes.
Winston, like Reaper in this patch, won a nerf and a buff at the same time that should, in general, be beneficial to the character.
While their base armor is being increased from 100 to 150, their base health has been slightly reduced from 400 to 350. Blizzard wants Winston to feel more “resistant” against weapons with a high rate of fire, so they are just redistributing some of your Statistics.
Reaper shotguns nerf
Reaper will be better prepared for prolonged fights with the February 11 patch.
Returning to the Reaper, his Hellfire Shotguns were impacted by the changes, as projectile damage was reduced by 1. However, his bullet range was reduced from 8 to 6, which means that he will be able to hit targets from a distance. a bit bigger .
This should help and hurt the Reaper, as his damage has been reduced, but it gives players more options in a fight instead of being a close attacker.
There are more changes to examine in the February 11 Overwatch patch, courtesy of Blizzard, so take a look below for a full summary.
Overwatch February 11 update notes
HERO EXPERIMENTAL UPDATES
The next experiment begins! This time, we hope to receive your feedback on some balance changes. We are using the 2-2-2 Role Queue rule set so that you can get an idea of how these balance changes can affect live play.
HERO UPDATES (EXPERIMENTAL ONLY)
Orisa
Strengthen
- Prevents critical headshot damage while the effect is active
Developer Comments: This will make Fortify more reliable in preventing large bursts of damage received and should help you appear more consistent as a defensive skill.
Reaper
Hellfire Shotguns
- Spread reduced from 8 to 6
- Projectile damage reduced from 7 to 6
Developer Comments: Reaper rifles have a high damage potential, but require close range or large targets to be fully utilized. We are experimenting with smoothing this out, extending the range in which it can consistently deal damage while reducing the maximum damage from each shot.
Winston
In general
- Base Armor / Health has been redistributed from 100/400 to 150/350
Developer Comments: With this change, Winston will be a little more resistant to shotguns, beams and guns with a high rate of fire.
Demolition ball
Fighting claw
- Repulsion force reduced by 25%
Developer Comments: For how many times it can occur, the Wrecking Ball knockback is potentially very strong. We are reducing the distance that moves enemy players to align it more with other low cooldown knockback skills.