Overwatch 2 Teases Balance Changes for Upcoming 6v6 Tests

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Key takeaways

  • Tank cooldowns for 6v6 trials in Overwatch 2 are being increased to rebalance gameplay.
  • Some heroes get nerfs, while some supports get buffs to adjust to the new 6v6 format.
  • The changes aim to reduce visual clutter, have softer crowd control and balance hero power levels.



Overwatch 2 Season 14 recently teased some balance changes for 6v6 Trials, including cooldown adjustments, changes to several hero reworks, and duration reductions for obstacles and battlefield obstacles. These and more changes will be implemented in an effort to optimize Overwatch 2 6v6 format when the first Test starts on or around December 17.

6v6 is officially back Overwatch 2 As Overwatch: The Classic. However, this is just the beginning of a larger experiment with six-player teams, for which there are two different 6v6 tests planned. Overwatch 2 Season 14. To facilitate these tests, certain heroes will undergo changes specifically in this game mode.

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During a recent interview with Overwatch 2 Content creator Spilo, lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson gave some examples of these changes. Inside many tanks Overwatch 2 Their abilities are getting nerfs in the form of higher cooldowns, such as with Ramattra's Void Barrier and Reinhardt's Charge. Others receive reversions Overwatch 2 Changes – Zarya's barriers are again on separate cooldowns, Reinhardt loses one Fire Strike charge and steering efficiency on charge, and Roadhog's rework has been completely reversed.



Overwatch 2 6v6-specific balance changes confirmed

  • Tank nerfs
    • Several cooldown increases, including:
      • Zero barrier of Ramattra
      • Reinhardt's charge
      • Reinhardt's Fire Strike (now has one charge)
      • Zarya's bubbles are on a separate cooldown
    • Tank critical and crowd control cut passive removed, health decreased
    • Reinhardt can cancel his charge, but maneuverability is reduced
    • Roadhog's rework is reversed, losing the Pig Pen and Take a Breather resource meter, but his alternate fire is back
  • Support the buffs
    • Zenyatta's Orb of Discord no longer has a cooldown per target, and has an increased effect
    • Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade cooldowns have been reduced
  • Change the blanket
    • Auto heals after 7 seconds instead of 5 (support is 3.5 seconds)
    • The duration of persistent interruptions such as Lifeweaver's Tree of Life and Mauga's Cage Fight will be reduced.


That said, some heroes – particularly supportive Overwatch 2 – Large teams are getting buffs instead of help juggling. For example, Zenyatta's Orb of Discord has a larger effect and no longer has a cooldown per target, and Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade both have reduced cooldowns.

These balance changes may sound familiar, as they are how heroes play in Overwatch: Classic. In general, the design philosophy of 6v6 trials is to move power away from tanks, reducing visual clutter and complexity, but keeping Overwatch 2The “soft crowd control” approach. The duration of interruptions like Lifeweaver's Tree of Life and Mauga's Cage Fight will be reduced, tank passives will be removed, and the auto-heal factor will take two seconds longer to kick in. Not everything is being returned. Overwatch 2 Levels, however – Winston keeps his alt-fire, and Mei doesn't get her endothermic blaster's freeze back. It looks like there will be an interesting intersection between the 6v6 tests Overwatch 1 and 2 Design philosophy.


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