Overwatch Feb 18 update buffs Winston & Reaper, nerfs Wrecking Ball: patch notes

A new Overwatch patch has hit the live servers on PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Nintendo Switch bringing in a bunch of buffs to tanks and Reaper, but a sizable nerf to Wrecking Ball.

While Reaper may be a bit of a noob-stomper at lower ranks, that didn’t stop Blizzard from seemingly increasing the lethality of the Talon DPS. While his damage has dropped, his spread has been reduced. This means that even though he does less damage, he can hit targets from afar, making him more dangerous at a range. Combined with his healing passive, this should make him a bigger threat than he was before. Next up,despite concerns from players, Orisa’s Fortify buff is going through and it will now be removing the headshot critical damage when the ability is active.

Wrecking Ball experimental nerfs

Without the headshot multiplier, it completely removes any incentive to aim for her head while Fortify is active, meaning all shots will deal 40% less damage. Winston also got a nice buff to his heath, and with it, he should be able to survive longer against attacks from shotguns and other weapons.

HERO UPDATES

Developer Comments: This will make Fortify more reliable at preventing large bursts of incoming damage and make it more consistent as a defensive ability.Reaper

Hellfire Shotguns

Developer Comments: Reaper’s shotguns have a high damage potential but require close range or large targets to fully utilize. We’re smoothing this out by extending the range at which he can consistently deal damage while lowering the maximum damage of each shot.Winston

Developer Comments: With this change Winston will be slightly more resilient against shotguns, beams, and weapons with a high rate of fire.Wrecking Ball

Article image

Overwatch 2 players can’t believe these OP Damage heroes got another buff

Overwatch 2’s mid-season 15 patch failed to nerf the most broken heroes

Article image

Overwatch 2 mid-Season 15 update patch notes

Grappling Claw

Developer Comments: For how often it can occur, Wrecking Ball’s knockback is too strong. We’re reducing the distance it moves enemy players to bring it more in line with other low cooldown knockback abilities.

Junkertown

Overwatch 2 characters running

sojourn in overwatch 2