Complete Guide to Hero Buffs and Nerfs in Overwatch 2 Season 13

With the arrival of Overwatch 2 Season 13, a variety of Hero adjustments in the form of buffs and nerfs have been rolled out to enhance character balance.

This update will be officially available on October 15 at 2 PM EDT, introducing exciting features such as the Mythic skin for Widowmaker, the Halloween Terror event, and a crossover with My Hero Academia.

Additionally, comprehensive balance modifications across the entire character roster will influence the current meta. Notably, this includes a nerf for the latest hero, Juno, along with significant reworks for Sombra.

Below is a detailed overview of the Hero buffs and nerfs in Overwatch 2 Season 13.

Hero Adjustments in Overwatch 2 Season 13

General Updates

When changing your hero, your selection will be concealed on the enemy scoreboard for 15 seconds.

Developer Insights: This adjustment adds a layer of complexity to counter-swapping, particularly in scenarios where two players from opposing teams rapidly change their heroes while viewing the scoreboard in spawn.

Tank Updates

Mauga giving a thumbs up in Overwatch 2. — Image credit: Blizzard

Mauga’s damage output has been enhanced.

Mountain

Incendiary Chaingun

Duration of ignite damage over time increased from 3 seconds to 4 seconds.

Developer Insights: By extending the burn damage duration, players can more effectively target smaller, elusive opponents.

Ramattra

Pummel

Pummel no longer passes through barriers.
Damage to barriers increased by 2.5 times.

Developer Insights: The previous mechanic allowing Pummel to bypass barriers was frustrating for players. The update allows Ramattra to inflict significant damage on barriers while preventing immediate damage to enemies behind them.

Reinhardt

Barrier Field

Health decreased from 1600 to 1500.

Developer Insights: This tweak finely adjusts the barrier’s durability and regeneration, which had become slightly too robust.

Damage Role Updates

Menacing look of Sombra in Overwatch 2. — Image credit: Activision Blizzard

Sombra has undergone a major rework.

Hanzo

Base health increased from 225 to 250.

Developer Insights: Hanzo’s health has been reverted to its former value as a response to damage changes that allow for taking down an opposing Hanzo with well-placed headshots.

Sojourn

Railgun

Energy no longer has a minimum degeneration threshold of 25.
Initial delay before energy degeneration begins increased from 7 seconds to 12 seconds.

Disruptor Shot

Damage per second raised from 60 to 80.
Now generates 25% of damage dealt to enemies as Railgun energy.

Developer Insights: These modifications to the Railgun enhance its usability by allowing a longer period before degeneration starts, lessening the urgency to use secondary fire. The increase in Disruptor Shot damage improves its effectiveness for area control while simultaneously generating Railgun energy.

Shadow

Hack

Hack no longer ends Stealth but reveals Sombra instead.
Duration of hacked ability lockout reduced from 1.5 seconds to 1 second (EMP duration remains unchanged).
Stun duration for BOB reduced from 10 seconds to 3 seconds.

Stealth

Stealth is no longer passive and now activates with Translocator.
Duration of Stealth is now 5 seconds.
A timer now appears around the reticle during Stealth, and the ability icon has been removed.
Damage taken now reveals Sombra for 1 second instead of ending her stealth.

Translocator

Cooldown increased from 5 seconds to 7 seconds.

EMP

Ultimate cost increased by 12%.

Opportunist

The Opportunist passive has been reinstated.
This increases Sombra’s weapon damage against hacked targets by 20%.
Allows visibility of critically injured foes through walls.

Developer Insights: The intent behind these extensive changes to Sombra’s playstyle is to enhance her interactivity with opposing players while shifting some of her power from stealth and hack utility to increased lethality. With a limited duration for Stealth that is shorter than Translocator’s cooldown, players will need to move strategically, similar to other flankers.

Support Role Updates

Juno from Overwatch 2 in her trailer. — Image credit: Blizzard

Juno has been nerfed as part of this season’s adjustments.

Baptiste

Biotic Launcher

Primary fire recoil reduced by 30%.

Developer Insights: This adjustment aims to lessen player strain from controlling recoil during extended gameplay sessions rather than enhancing Baptiste’s output.

Brigitte

Repair Pack

Cooldown extended from 5 seconds to 5.5 seconds.

Developer Insights: Brigitte’s healing efficiency has been quite high, so this minor change aims to balance her healing capabilities.

Juno

Mediblaster

Falloff range decreased from 30-50 meters to 20-35 meters.
Healing per projectile reduced from 6.5 to 6.

Developer Insights: Juno’s healing output is considered excessive given her mobility, leading to a refinement of her falloff range to emphasize positioning.”It is crucial for her to make strategic choices regarding mobility and positioning.

In summary, these are the balance changes for Overwatch 2 Season 13. The new season also unveils a fresh Battle Pass themed around dark magic, featuring the notable Mythic skin for Widowmaker.

Source