Season 9 of Overwatch 2 to Introduce Passive Healing, Boosting Damage and Tank Heroes

In Season 9 of Overwatch 2, Damage and Tank heroes are set to receive a new self-heal passive ability. This significant update will grant non-support heroes an automatic heal after a brief period of not taking damage.

Overwatch 2 game director Aaron Keller announced the addition of this new passive ability in a blog post, with the implementation set for early February as Season 9 begins. While Support heroes already possess this passive ability, it will be less potent for Damage and Tank roles. The specifics of how this version will be adjusted have not been disclosed in the blog post.

Keller stated that the change aims to provide non-Support players with more options for sustaining themselves and relieve some of the pressure on Support players to keep everyone alive. This shift in balance is intended to address the current teamwork issues in Overwatch 2, wherein team synergy is high when sticking together but becomes challenging when teams split up. The addition of passive healing for every hero is expected to make splitting off more rewarding and reduce frustrations for support players who are typically blamed when damage or tank heroes venture off alone without receiving healing.

Keller hinted at additional upcoming changes, with a focus on reducing damage spikes during combat. While details were not provided, the changes could potentially address the impact of ultimate abilities, which often inflict significant damage within a short timeframe.

In addition, Blizzard is experimenting with ways to streamline the Overwatch 2 experience and offer players more choices. The current trial of Quicker Play mode, a faster-paced version of the regular quick play, is part of these efforts.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am excited about the upcoming changes in Season 9 of Overwatch 2. The introduction of passive healing for Damage and Tank heroes is a welcome addition that will make the game more enjoyable for everyone. Currently, Support players often feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of keeping their teammates alive, and this change will alleviate some of that pressure. It will also make it more rewarding for Damage and Tank heroes to split off from the group and take on their own objectives, which will add a new level of strategy to the game.

I am also intrigued by the potential changes to reduce damage spikes during combat. This could make the game more balanced and less frustrating for players who are often caught off guard by powerful ultimate abilities. Overall, I believe that these changes will make Overwatch 2 a more enjoyable and dynamic game, and I can't wait to experience them when Season 9 begins.