Home Gaming The latest Overwatch PTR patch is chockfull of experimental hero tweaks

The latest Overwatch PTR patch is chockfull of experimental hero tweaks

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21

Overwatch PTR

Blizzard sure don’t waste time. Just yesterday, they said that a future Overwatch PTR patch would explore some significant hero changes. I expected that update to come out, I don’t know, like next week at the very least.

Well, what do I know about Blizzard’s release schedules? Nothing apparently, because the latest Overwatch PTR patch has been let loose already, and it is indeed chockfull of some interesting tweaks. Check it out:

General

  • Dealing damage to non-players (like like Torbjorn’s turrets or Symmetra’s teleporter), no longer charges ultimate abilities
  • Ultimate costs have been increased by 25% for all heroes

D. Va

  • Mech health increased to 200 (formerly 100). Armor remains at 400
  • Movement speed while firing has been increased by 25%

Soldier: 76

  • Pulse Rifle
    • Bullet damage increased from 17 to 20
    • Maximum bullet spread Increased from 2.2 to 2.4

Ana

  • Nano Boost
    • No longer increases move speed

Mei

  • Blizzard
    • Ultimate cost has been increased by 15%

Lúcio

  • Amp It Up
    • Healing-per-second has been decreased by 10%

Zarya

  • Particle Barrier
    • Power gained from barriers decreased by 20%
  • Projected Barrier
    • Power gained from barriers decreased by 20%

Torbjörn

  • Scrap is now automatically generated over time
  • The amount of scrap collected from a fallen enemy has been decreased by 40%
  • Forge Hammer
    • Swing speed increased by 25%
    • Damage decreased by 27%

Admittedly, these adjustments aren’t nearly as dramatic as I thought they’d be, but they’re still pretty big nonetheless. That increase to each hero’s ultimate costs for example is going to change things up somewhat.

If you aren’t happy with some, or any of these changes (Mei’s ulti is being nerfed? NOOO!), don’t worry, they may not stick in the long run. As Overwatch Community Manager Josh Engen points out, this test is going to last longer than usual, and Blizzard will use the extra time to tweak accordingly:

We don’t typically have the time to try multiple configurations to our hero balance composition, but the extended length of this PTR gives us a unique opportunity. Throughout the PTR, we’ll be continuously adjusting our heroes’ stats, which will provide valuable data needed to make some tough decisions.

None of these changes should be considered final, and we’ll continue to update this post as the PTR progresses. Please feel free to provide feedback throughout this test.

I wonder if we will see any other heroes come under inspection? Roadhog for example, needs some attention I reckon. Look I love the hero to bits, but it does feel like his hook cooldown is just a little too short. I do think some testing should be done with him at the very least.

Also, when will we see Symmetra’s changes put through their paces? I’m eager to know how Blizzard are addressing that hero to make her into something less situational. Perhaps she will show up a little later in this PTR.

Last Updated: October 21, 2016

21 Comments

  1. Ottokie

    October 21, 2016 at 11:36

    “Ultimate costs have been increased by 25% for all heroes”

    But why?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief

      October 21, 2016 at 11:45

      Becoz HEROES NEED TO DIE

      Reply

      • Ottokie

        October 21, 2016 at 11:55

        HEROES NEVER PIE!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief

          October 21, 2016 at 11:59

          BRAAI PIE!

          Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      October 21, 2016 at 11:49

      Because the game is too much fun?

      Reply

    • Matthew Figueira

      October 21, 2016 at 11:51

      Yeah I also don’t get it 😛

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief

        October 21, 2016 at 11:59

        I think PPL rely on the ults too much

        Reply

        • Lord Chaos

          October 21, 2016 at 12:08

          Agreed

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief

            October 21, 2016 at 12:11

            [hides in corner]
            IT’S HIGH NOON
            BLAM BLAM BLAM
            “OH MY POTG!!!”
            [hides again]

          • Lord Chaos

            October 21, 2016 at 12:13

            You forgot the part where he holds it 10 seconds for everyone to think it’s already used and come out.

          • Admiral Chief

            October 21, 2016 at 14:30

            Sounds naughty

          • Lord Chaos

            October 21, 2016 at 14:37

            Yea, noticed it as soon as I posted it, but decided to leave it and see who notices.

            You dirty old man

          • Admiral Chief

            October 24, 2016 at 08:11

            I’m not THAT old

  2. Admiral Chief

    October 21, 2016 at 11:45

    Nerf that fffffff bitch

    Reply

  3. Admiral Chief

    October 21, 2016 at 11:48

    So Mei’s ult is now 25% + 15% ?

    GOOD!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

      October 21, 2016 at 11:50

      Don’t be so cold towards her

      Reply

  4. Grimsupanoob

    October 21, 2016 at 11:53

    Make the game http://FTP...

    Reply

  5. Lord Chaos

    October 21, 2016 at 12:02

    Whoot, Finally reason to head back to D.Va

    Reply

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