Highlights
- Blizzard is making significant changes to the core gameplay of Overwatch 2 Season 9, including projectile size adjustments and hero balance changes.
- All heroes in Overwatch 2 will now have passive health regeneration, which may lead to longer team fights. Damage heroes will have a new passive that reduces a target's healing received.
- These changes have the potential to improve the Overwatch 2 gameplay experience, but it remains to be seen how fans will react. The success of these changes will determine if they are effective or if further reworks are needed.
Blizzard's plans for Overwatch 2 Season 9 leaked online not too long ago, and now some of the more controversial changes mentioned in said leak have been confirmed. Blizzard is coming out swinging when it comes to Overwatch 2 Season 9. While most new seasons in the game focus on adding new characters, maps, or modes, Overwatch 2 Season 9 is making some drastic changes to the core gameplay.
Part of this will be with the big Competitive Play changes coming to Overwatch 2 with Season 9. Overwatch 2 Competitive Play is getting a complete rework with the Season 9 update on February 13 that will see Skill Ranks reset and players given unprecedented insight into why their ranks are changing. Many fans have reacted positively to the Overwatch 2 Competitive Play changes on deck for Season 9, though the other changes coming to the game may prove to be more controversial.
Overwatch 2 Fan Shares Botanist Support Hero Concept, And It Looks Incredible
An Overwatch 2 fan's idea for a plant-themed support hero grabs players' attention for the unique kit the character would bring to Blizzard's shooter.
Blizzard has confirmed that Overwatch 2 will be making some significant changes to the core gameplay. This will include changes to projectile size so that shots are easier to hit. Additional hero balance changes will be made in future based on how this impacts the game, but an immediate change will be coming with Season 9 in response to this change, as all heroes are getting their health increased. 150-175 HP heroes are getting a 25 HP boost, while 200-300 HP heroes are getting a 50 HP boost. Overwatch 2 Tank heroes, meanwhile, are getting a 75-100 HP boost.
Overwatch 2 Core Gameplay Changes Coming in Season 9
One of the most controversial changes coming to Overwatch 2 with Season 9 is how all heroes will now have passive health regeneration. Overwatch 2 heroes will have 20 healing per second after 5 seconds of not taking damage, except for Support heroes, who will start regenerating health after 2.5 seconds. Blizzard has said that, "An increase to health pools and weakening of burst damage means that heroes live longer, and team fights will take longer to conclude."
An increase to health pools and weakening of burst damage means that heroes live longer, and team fights will take longer to conclude.
Understandably, some Overwatch 2 players are apprehensive about that claim, as it could mean that fights become a slog. However, Blizzard is prepared for that possibility and has said that a new Damage passive is being introduced that will allow Damage heroes to "more easily fulfill their role in securing eliminations, reduce in-combat healing, and potentially add an additional strategic layer to focus firing targets." The new Damage hero passive will make it so dealing damage will reduce a target's healing received by 20%. Tank heroes can expect less knockback, less Ultimate charge from taking damage and healing, and increased health in Role Queue modes.
These are significant changes that will have a huge impact on the entire Overwatch 2 experience, and it remains to be seen how fans will react. It's possible these changes will improve Overwatch 2 gameplay and fuel a resurgence for the popular hero-shooter game. It's also possible that fans will reject the changes, necessitating another big rework. While some may be anxious about changes like this coming to Overwatch 2, it will definitely be interesting to see if they work out.
