Overwatch just got a pretty big test server patch that introduced the game’s newest hero: Hammond the hamster. But the patch also brought various changes to a bunch of other heroes, including Sombra, Hanzo, McCree and more.
Several Overwatch heroes are getting some major changes to damage falloff. According to Blizzard, the goal of these changes is to reduce the impact of damage falloff in mid-range weapons.
“While assessing falloff mechanics across the board, weapons intended primarily for close-range combat benefited too greatly from lowering their falloff restrictions,” Blizzard wrote. “We also normalized a couple of outliers in that Mei had a long-range travel time projectile with falloff applied and Widowmaker’s automatic fire did not have any.”
Here’s a breakdown of all the changes.
Bastion
Bastion’s Sentry and Recon configurations have had their minimum damage at maximum range increased from 30 percent to 50 percent.
Hanzo
Overwatch’s archer has received a nerf to his new Storm Arrows ability, after Blizzard said the kit has proven to be a little overpowered.
“We’re lowering the frequency that he can have this ability available to make it more reasonable to play around,” Blizzard wrote.
Hanzo’s Storm Arrows have had their duration reduced from six to five seconds, while their cooldown has increased from eight to 10 seconds.
McCree
McCree’s Peacekeeper has had its minimum damage at maximum range increased from 30 percent to 50 percent.
Mei
All damage falloff has been removed from the secondary fire projectile of Mei’s Endothermic Blaster.
Soldier: 76
Soldier’s Heavy Pulse Rifle has had its minimum damage at maximum range increased from 30 percent to 50 percent.
Sombra
Overwatch fans have known that a Sombra buff was on its way, and now it’s here. Sombra has been tweaked time and time again since her addition to Overwatch, but Blizzard is eager to introduce an improved master hacker to the game.
“These changes allow Sombra to more easily play as an infiltrator and scout for her team, as well as give her time to pick and choose when to reveal herself to ambush her enemies,” Blizzard wrote.
Sombra will be getting some big changes to both her Stealth and Translocator abilities.
Stealth
- Now lasts indefinitely (that’s right – infinite stealth!)
- No longer can contest objectives while invisible
- Enemy detection radius increased from two meters to four meters
- Movement speed buff decreased from +75 percent to +50 percent
Translocator
- Now lasts indefinitely
- Can now be destroyed
- Has five health
Widowmaker
Widow now has damage falloff applied on her automatic primary fire: 50 percent at maximum range.