A new PTR update has been released for Overwatch, and it is a big one. The download size is a large 8 GB, and it is being called the “remaster” patch. There have been big changes since the original release and tweaks made along the way, but now it seems that the developers are trying to make an overall balance change. The main goal is to help equalize the playing field after adding in Sigma.
This new hero is a very strong shield tank, and it has disrupted a lot of the game’s meta. There is a lot of changes needed to make him work well with the team, while still being easy to defeat for the enemy.
The main changes of this patch are being done to Sigma. His Kinetic Grasp will no longer block Roadhog’s Chain Hook or Brigitte’s Whip shot which makes it easier to interrupt his information. His ultimate has had a decrease resulting in a .3 second reduction for how long players are held in the air.
Changes are being made to several of the other heroes as well. D.Va’s Defense Matrix will have an increased regeneration rate, and the delay has been reduced before the regeneration begins. Orisa’s Protective Barrier has an increased cooldown by 1 second, and Roadhog’s Scrap Gun has increased ammunition by 1 shot.
Winston’s Barrier Projector has had its duration increased from 6 seconds to 9, and its health increased by 100 points. Baptiste’s Immortality Field has had its health decreased. Out of all of the main cast Lucio has had the most adjustments with his Crossfade, Amp It Up, and Wallride all adjusted.
Mercy’s beams now ignore enemy barriers in Valkyrie mode, and Moira’s self-healing has been reduced from 30 to 20 health per second. Doomfist’s Rocket Punch has had its max charge time increased from 1 second to 1.4, and his Best Defense ability has been reduced from 35 to 30 per hit. Tracer’s pistols now have a damage falloff starting at 13 metes instead of 10.
Sombra’s Translocator has been tweaked as well with its cooldown increased from 4 to 60 seconds. The cooldown does begin immediately upon deploying the beacon or if an enemy kills it. Symmetra’s Photon Barrier’s duration has been reduced from 15 to 12 seconds, and its health has been reduced by 1000 points. The Sentry Turrets now deal only 40 damage a second and the Photon Projector has a louder impact sound.
Several other minor bug fixes were also implemented for all heroes listed above as well as some quality of life changes. Fans are still going through everything on the PTR so if you want some hands-on experience with the changes you can find it all there live right now.
