Massive Changes Coming to Overwatch 2: Devs Unveil Surprising Support Nerf in Upcoming Balance Patch

Blizzard has confirmed that the upcoming hero balance changes for Overwatch 2 will include minor tweaks to Zenyatta's Orb of Discord ability and more. Zenyatta's last adjustment was made in October 2023, when Blizzard addressed a bug that allowed him to gain extra attack speed in addition to Kiriko's ultimate bonus.

Back in April 2023, some Overwatch 2 players expressed their frustration with Zenyatta's ability kit on social media, stating that the hero had become too powerful and needed adjustments as soon as possible. They also mentioned that Zenyatta possesses one of the most powerful support ultimates in Overwatch 2, as it can heal allies within its range. However, the primary issue with Zenyatta lies in his Orb of Discord ability, which enables him to launch an orb at an enemy, amplifying the damage they receive.

Blizzard has confirmed in a recent blog post that Zenyatta's Orb of Discord ability will receive a nerf in the upcoming mid-season patch. Many Overwatch 2 players choose Zenyatta for this ability's effectiveness, but Blizzard plans to weaken it slightly in order to change his impact on the current meta. The exact changes are still unknown, but players can anticipate a decrease in the debuff it provides.

Zenyatta, a support class hero in Overwatch 2, possesses some of the strongest DPS potential compared to other healers. He utilizes orbs of harmony to heal allies and gains temporary damage immunity. When used strategically, his abilities allow him to survive even against formidable DPS heroes.

Blizzard may need to make further adjustments to Zenyatta in response to an odd bug discovered by an Overwatch 2 player. This bug allows Zenyatta to kick enemies through walls, resulting in their sudden death by being propelled off the stage. Some players found this hilarious, joking that Zenyatta takes "never skip leg day" to a whole new level.

In the upcoming mid-cycle patch, there will be slight adjustments to Zenyatta, as well as balance changes for Torbjorn and Symmetra in Overwatch 2. These changes aim to shift the focus of power away from their turrets and towards the rest of their ability kit. Reinhardt and Orisa, frontline heroes, will also receive increased capabilities. However, players will have to wait until mid-July to experience these changes and see how they impact their viability.

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