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Season 14 of Overwatch 2 has launched, marking an exciting chapter for fans on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. This season unveils the new tank hero called Hazard, along with significant adjustments to the DPS role passive and various buffs across the roster.
The introduction of any new hero shifts the game’s meta, and Hazard is no exception. Players are eager to explore his capabilities in gameplay, especially after receiving positive feedback from community members during the trial weekend. Improvements made following that feedback have heightened expectations for his performance.
Significant Changes in Overwatch 2’s December 10 Update
Among the key updates, Hazard’s primary fire damage has seen a notable boost, and both Jagged Wall’s health and lethality have been enhanced. Furthermore, the consistency of his vault ability has been improved.
Additionally, adjustments to the DPS passive mean that damaging an enemy now reduces the healing they receive by 25% for an extra second, although the size of projectiles has been shrunk, introducing a trade-off for players.
In terms of individual character changes, Orisa benefits from some of her health being converted into armor, alongside a buff to her Terra Surge ultimate’s radius. Ramattra’s Ravenous Vortex can now bypass barriers, enhancing its effectiveness and briefly interrupting horizontal momentum. Winston sees a damage increase in his Jump Pack ability, while Ashe gains a quality of life improvement that allows for better mobility control, even when immobilized.
This patch not only includes these gameplay changes but also reintroduces the Winter Wonderland event, along with a new mastery mode for Ashe, among other features. Detailed patch notes are outlined below:
Complete Patch Notes for Overwatch 2’s December 10 Update
Winter Wonderland 2024
The beloved Winter Wonderland event returns from now until January 7, featuring classic game modes and unique seasonal rewards. Gamers can participate in challenges to earn exciting items, including the festive Winter Casual Hanzo skin.
6v6 Role Queue Experiment
The latest evolution of Overwatch 2 includes a 6v6 Role Queue experiment, blending contemporary hero dynamics with classic team gameplay. This mode allows players to appreciate the classic format while experiencing the unique abilities of modern heroes.
Hero Mastery – Ashe
As players aim to hone their skills, Ashe’s Hero Mastery courses will be available starting January 14. This feature offers a chance to refine precision shooting while coordinating with B.O.B.
Updates on Hero Performance
General Changes
Damage Role Passive
- Debuff duration extended from 2 to 3 seconds.
- Healing reduction raised from 20% to 25%.
Global Projectile Size Adjustments
- Hitscan radius normalization reduced to enhance skill expression.
- Projectile sizes modified to balance gameplay effectiveness.
Developer Insights: The damage role passive improvements are aimed at increasing its strategic relevance, particularly in combat scenarios where healing impacts engagement outcomes.
Related:
Overwatch 2 Updates: Nov 12 Patch Notes on OW Classic Mode and More
Changes for Tank Heroes
Doomfist
- Seismic Slam: Adjusted range and cooldown to realign his threat levels in gameplay.
Developer Insights: These adjustments account for Doomfist’s newly enhanced punching mechanics while rebalancing his survivability.
Hazard
- Modified abilities enhance damage output, and adjustment in the protective layer of Spike Guard allows for more reliable defense mechanics.
Developer Insights: Community feedback significantly influenced these changes, providing valuable insights into balancing gameplay around Hazard.
Other Tanks
- Adjustments to Orisa, Ramattra, and Winston ensure they face competitive viability without compromising their unique mechanics within the game.
Additional Hero Specific Updates
Damage Hero Modifications
Changes across various damage heroes, including Ashe’s Coach Gun adjustments, Pharah’s cooldown management, and Sojourn’s damage output, demonstrate the developers’ commitment to creating a balanced environment that cultivates strategic team play.
Support Hero Adjustments
Support characters like Baptiste and Lucio see key updates aimed at enhancing their effectiveness in fights, thereby supporting their teams better during engagements.
Custom Game Features
A new setting allowing players to enable or disable passive health regeneration ensures that everyone can tailor their gameplay experience to their liking.
Bug Fix Highlights
Several bugs have been addressed throughout the game, improving overall performance and stability, including adjustments to specific maps and hero abilities to enhance player experience.
As Overwatch 2 continues to evolve, these updates and changes showcase Blizzard’s commitment to balancing gameplay and enhancing user experience across the board.
Source
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