Game-Changing Update: Overwatch 2 Unveils Exciting Patch Notes for August 24!

Highlights

Illari, a popular support hero in Overwatch 2, has received balance tweaks in the latest update, including nerfs to her healing pylon and Ultimate abilities.

The changes are intended to achieve a more optimal balance between healing and damage, as well as offering additional chances for opposing players to counter Illari's abilities.

Furthermore, the update incorporates bug fixes and minor adjustments for other heroes, suggesting that Blizzard may be moving towards a more stable state of character performance.

Illari, the recently introduced hero in Overwatch 2, has quickly gained popularity among players. However, Blizzard has implemented some nerfs and ability adjustments for this support hero in the game's latest update. Overwatch 2's hero balance is constantly evolving, but the recent update focuses solely on changes related to Illari.

Joining the game at the beginning of the month alongside Season 6 and the massive Invasion update, Illari is a formidable support hero with a unique playstyle. Armed with a solar rifle, she can deal damage to enemies and heal allies, similar to other support heroes. What sets her apart is her ability kit, which allows her to take advantage of strategic positions and excel in dealing damage. Her healing pylon acts as a turret, healing teammates from a safe location. Additionally, her outburst ability provides her with increased mobility. Her Ultimate, Captive Sun, releases a powerful projectile that inflicts damage to enemies, making it punishing for them to group together.

Blizzard addressed the issue of Illari's balance shortly after her introduction to Overwatch 2. They acknowledged that once she becomes available in competitive play, adjustments to her healing pylon and Ultimate abilities would be necessary. The August 24 patch for Overwatch 2 implements these changes. Her healing pylon's healing power has been reduced from 40 to 30, and its shields have been decreased from 75 to 50. In addition, some significant modifications have been made to her Ultimate ability. Barriers can now block both the initial impact and explosion damage caused by Captive Sun. The duration of the Sunstruck effect has been shortened from 7 seconds to 6. As a counterbalance, the projectile size of Captive Sun has been reduced by 50%, making it more challenging to intercept.

The following balance adjustments have been implemented for Illari in order to achieve a better equilibrium between her healing and damage capabilities, as well as providing increased opportunities for opposing players to counter her abilities. Furthermore, the most recent patch addresses several bugs that have been causing disruptions in both PvP and PvE activities. Notably, the update also reintroduces a popular voice line in Overwatch 2 that had previously gone missing.

Despite the typically volatile nature of hero balance in Overwatch 2, this latest update brings about minimal changes to the game's overall framework. This could suggest that Blizzard is approaching a point where character performance aligns more closely with expectations. Given the ever-evolving landscape of live-service games like Overwatch 2, achieving perfect balance is almost unattainable. However, with future hero overhauls on the horizon, fans can only anticipate and observe how the game's framework will continue to develop.

OVERWATCH 2 RETAIL PATCH NOTES - AUGUST 24, 2023

GENERAL UPDATES

Player Progression

Updated the Wins sub-badge level-up requirement from 2 to 1 across all heroes, game modes, and roles, and re-tuned XP granted to balance.

HERO UPDATES

SUPPORT

Developer Comments: Illari has been performing well since her release. The following adjustments aim to create a more balanced combination of healing and damage, enhancing the opportunities for countering her abilities. We will be reducing the strength of the Healing Pylon, as it is frequently positioned in obstructed or unusual locations and is not being destroyed as frequently as anticipated. While the decision for Captive Sun to bypass barriers may not be instantly clear, we will also be decreasing the size of the projectile, making it essential to have greater precision when blocking or demolishing it. Lastly, we find that the duration of the Sunstruck effect is excessively long, making it challenging to avoid reaching the detonation damage threshold.

Healing Pylon

Heal decreased from 40 to 30.

Shields decreased from 75 to 50.

Captive Sun

Projectile Impact and explosion are now blocked by barriers.

Projectile size decreased from 1.5 to 0.75 meters.

Sunstruck duration decreased from 7 to 6 seconds.

BUG FIXES

GENERAL

Fixed bug where some event challenges weren't counting towards "Savior of the Underworld" for the Brigitte Sparkplug skin.

The Ashe Snakewrangler Skin in the Battle Pass has been corrected to be a free reward rather than a premium one. Players on the free Battle Pass track who have already reached this tier will now automatically receive this skin.

The issue of players being put into the Underworld Event Mission and Invasion Story Missions as backfill has been resolved.

Fixed an issue that allowed Spectating of players in the Underworld Event Mission and Invasion Story Missions.

HEROES

Echo

Fixed an issue with cloned Illari's Captive Sun explosion, damaging herself and her allies.

Orisa

Fixed an issue where the "Who Said Chivalry Is Dead?" voice line is missing from Hero Gallery.

Fixed an issue where World Cup Skin for Orisa was inaccessible.

MISSIONS

Toronto

Fixed in a previous update - Fixed an issue with Slicers clipping into the Ferry, making them difficult to target.

Gothenburg

Fixed in a previous update - Fixed an issue where "The Babies Are Safe" challenge was unable to be completed.

Corrected an problem where the Titan would remain unseen during the initial moments of its introduction.

Resolved the occurrence of an imperceptible obstacle around the Mega-Cannon that hindered Brigitte's ability to use Shield Bash and Whip Shot.

Underworld

Fixed in a previous update - Fixed an issue where the "Stop, Thief!" challenge was unable to be completed.

Overwatch 2 is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

Source: Blizzard