Overwatch Update Nerfs Two Characters & Expands Emotes
By Dalton Cooper 07 January 2017
Blizzard begins testing a future update for Overwatch that will nerf several characters, as well as give Sombra a buff and fix issues with the new Oasis map.
Named Game of the Year 2016 by numerous outlets, Blizzard has no intention of slowing its support of Overwatch in 2017. If anything, 2017 seems like it will hold even more frequent updates and new content for the popular shooter, with the studio currently testing balance changes in the Public Test Region (PTR) that should be rolling out to all versions of the game sooner rather than later.
First and foremost, the update currently being tested in the Overwatch PTR will be making key changes to various heroes in the game. As announced by Blizzard, Ana is getting a nerf, with the healing boost of her Biotic Grenade being cut in half, as it’s proven to be too efficient. D.Va is also getting a nerf, with her armor dropped from 400 to 200 and the damage of her bullets dropped from 3 to 2. However, it’s worth noting that D.Va’s health and the number of bullets she shoots per second will be increased with the update.
Another character being nerfed is Roadhog, whose hook ability has caused controversy in the Overwatch community for being broken. Roadhog players may be upset to learn that they will no longer be able to hook enemies through walls, but Sombra fans will have a reason to celebrate when the new update comes to Overwatch. In the new update, Sombra is getting a buff that will allow her to hack enemies in 0.8 seconds instead of the one full second it currently takes.
Besides balance tweaks for various characters, the update will also add one of the features promised by Blizzard in its 2017 plans for the game. Once the update is available to the masses, Overwatch players will be able to equip four emotes, sprays, and voice lines for each character, so they should be able to get more mileage out of the items they earn from loot boxes.
Additionally, Overwatch fans can look forward to bugs on the game’s maps being fixed, including various issues that allow characters like Widowmaker to reach unintended locations. Issues with the new Oasis map where the control points are incorrectly outlined and breakable objects are resistant to melee attacks are also being addressed in the update.
The new year has barely started, but Blizzard is already hard at work to improve Overwatch even more for its legion of loyal players. With buzz around the game for all the Game of the Year awards it won and Blizzard keeping the community engaged with regular updates, Overwatch could maintain its status as one of the most popular online shooters available today.
Overwatch is available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
