The latest Overwatch 2 update introduces a host of new features, events, and balance changes for Season 12. As the game enters its mid-season, players can now explore a fresh set of content, including the World of Warcraft crossover event, the Role Queue Mystery Heroes mode, new Competitive Drives, and significant hero adjustments.
Here’s everything you need to know about this patch and how it changes the current meta.
Key Updates in the Overwatch 2 Mid-Season Patch
World of Warcraft Crossover Event
- Iconic World of Warcraft characters make their debut in Overwatch 2 with legendary skins for some of the game’s popular heroes. You can now play as Lich King Reinhardt, Sylvanas Windrunner, Thrall Zenyatta, and Magni Torbjorn.
- The event runs until October 1, 2024, with exclusive rewards available to players during this time.
Mystery Heroes Role Queue
- A brand new twist on the traditional Mystery Heroes mode, players now have the ability to queue up for specific roles. This change adds more structure to a traditionally chaotic mode while still keeping the fun of random hero assignments within each role.
- A brand new twist on the traditional Mystery Heroes mode, players now have the ability to queue up for specific roles. This change adds more structure to a traditionally chaotic mode while still keeping the fun of random hero assignments within each role.
Competitive Drives
- A new addition to Competitive Play, Competitive Drives are limited-time events that allow players to earn Competitive Points and special cosmetics known as Signatures.
- Progress through checkpoints to earn various rewards:
- 500 Competitive Points – Basic Signature
- 1000 Competitive Points – Advanced Signature
- 500 Competitive Points – Elite Signature
- Signatures enhance your in-game name display but are reset after every rank reset.
Map Adjustments
- Flashpoint maps now feature a longer speed boost for players leaving the spawn room, extended from 1 second to 2 seconds.
- On Clash maps, defenders’ fast respawn advantage is removed after capturing a point, making it more balanced for attackers and defenders alike.
Balance Changes for Heroes
The September patch also brings a slew of balance changes across multiple heroes, impacting both tanks and DPS characters. Here are some notable adjustments:
- D.Va: Armor health decreased from 375 to 325, but base health increased from 200 to 225, making her more resilient in battle.
- Orisa: The movement speed penalty during Fortify is now reduced from 20% to 10%, enhancing her mobility.
- Roadhog: Resource regeneration rate during Take a Breather is now faster, giving him more sustainability in fights.
- Bastion: Reduced spread in Configuration: Assault mode, making him more accurate in sustained combat.
- Hanzo: Increased maximum damage for Storm Bow, but it now takes slightly longer to fully charge shots.
- Zenyatta: Both damage and utility buffs with a stronger Destruction Orb and a quicker cooldown on Orb of Discord.
Conclusion
With this update, Overwatch 2 keeps things exciting with new events and features while addressing player feedback through balance changes. The World of Warcraft crossover provides some nostalgia for Blizzard fans, while the Mystery Heroes Role Queue brings fresh gameplay dynamics.
Competitive players can also enjoy new opportunities with Competitive Drives, adding an extra layer of progression. Expect further meta shifts as these changes are implemented, especially in competitive modes.
Overwatch 2 x RED° TOKYO TOWER: New Event Highlights Featuring Hanzo, Genji, and Kiriko