Overwatch 2’s Latest Season Is Bringing Changes to Multiple Heroes in the Support Class.

Blizzard has taken a firm stance on the role of support characters in Overwatch 2, specifically regarding the strength of Mercy’s ability to damage boost DPS heroes, after intense debates.

With the start of Overwatch 2’s third season, Mercy will no longer be a dominant figure in the high-skill meta. This is due to the upcoming balance patch, which will reduce the time she can spend with her staff’s beam connected to a single target by emphasizing triage as the main priority.

What changes were made to Mercy?

The changes made to Mercy include an increase in the cooldown of her Guardian Angel from 1.5 seconds to 2.5 seconds, a slower movement speed when canceling the ability with Jump, a reduction in the healing-per-second of the Caduceus Staff from 55 to 45, an increase in healing for allies under half health, and the removal of her Regeneration Passive.

However, she will receive a new passive, “Sympathetic Recovery,” which allows her to heal herself for 25% of the healing done with the Caduceus Staff. The changes aim to empower Mercy as a triage healer, enabling her to frequently save low-health allies.

In a fast-paced game like Overwatch 2, where a player’s health can change rapidly, the changes to Mercy will encourage her to stay close to her team rather than partnering with a single DPS hero. The focus will now be on healing as her primary role, and the new passive will be crucial in keeping herself alive.

Changes to other support heroes

Aside from a minor nerf to the duration of Ana’s healing and anti-healing grenade, supports are becoming stronger in Overwatch 2.

Lucio, Zen, and Brigitte have received slight buffs, with Lucio and Moira having faster ultimate charge times, Zen having five additional shots, and Brigitte’s Repair Pack instantly healing allies for 25 health, in addition to its HoT component.

These changes, along with others, should make playing support easier than before.

Other changes made in Season 3

Season 3 targets heroes who can quickly get near-instant kills. Junkrat’s Concussion Mine damage has been reduced by 20, making one-shot combos harder to execute.

Reinhardt’s Earthshatter ultimate has had its damage reduced, and stun duration increased. Widowmaker is also back to 175 health from 200, making her easier to take down.

The ultimate charge retained when swapping heroes has been reduced from 30% to 25%, and almost all tanks will take longer to charge their ults.

This change addresses high-level tank strategies where players frequently switch heroes during a match, leading to a complicated game of rock-paper-scissors. This will result in fewer battles with fight-winning tank ultimates for most players.

Ramattra, the latest tank in the game, will no longer have an unlimited ultimate. His massive AoE ultimate will cap at 20 seconds if an enemy is within it. On the other hand, Wrecking Ball will receive permanent, regenerating shields and a lower Pile Driver ability cooldown.

Summary and Takeaways

Blizzard has changed Mercy and other support characters in Overwatch 2’s third season to balance the game and promote different play styles.

Mercy will have a slower movement speed, lower healing-per-second, and a new passive that allows her to heal herself. Other support heroes, like Lucio and Zen, have received slight buffs.

Season 3 also targets heroes who can get near-instant kills and changes the ultimate charge mechanics.

The latest tank, Ramattra, will have a capped ultimate, while Wrecking Ball will receive regenerating shields and a lower cooldown on his Pile Driver ability.

The changes aim to encourage players to play as a team, focusing on healing and support as primary roles.

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