Hello, heroes! Librarian Husky here, ready to guide you through all the exciting changes in Overwatch 2’s Season 13 update. From new map reworks and system tweaks to significant balance changes for your favorite heroes, there’s a lot to cover. Whether you’re a casual player or grinding in competitive mode, these updates are set to reshape the battlefield. Let’s jump in and see what this season has to offer!

Balance Changes Overview

This season, one of the most notable balance changes affects how hero swaps are handled. When you switch heroes during a match, your choice will now be hidden from the enemy scoreboard for 15 seconds. According to the developers, this change is intended to slow down the counter-swapping strategies that have become prevalent in the game, where players on both sides constantly switch heroes while sitting in the spawn room. This small window of secrecy provides a more tactical element to hero swaps and adds an extra layer of decision-making, making it harder for teams to immediately counter each other’s picks.

Tank Updates

Tank heroes have seen several significant changes in Season 13, aimed at improving their gameplay balance and interactions with other heroes. One of the most impactful updates is to Magga, whose incendiary chain gun now applies ignite damage for 4 seconds, up from 3. This adjustment enhances Magga’s ability to pressure enemies, especially smaller and more mobile targets. Ramattra has also undergone a major tweak, as his Pummel attack no longer pierces barriers but now deals 2.5 times more damage to shields. This makes him a strong barrier-buster without directly threatening players behind those shields. Lastly, Reinhardt has had his barrier’s health reduced from 1,600 to 1,500, making it easier for opponents to break through his defenses. These updates collectively aim to create more balanced and dynamic interactions between tanks and other roles.

Magga

Magga, one of the tank heroes, has seen an adjustment to her incendiary chain gun. The duration of her ignite damage over time has been increased from 3 to 4 seconds. This change rewards players for landing hits on smaller, harder-to-hit targets, making her a more effective counter to mobile DPS heroes. With this increase in damage duration, Magga’s ability to apply pressure in longer engagements becomes even more dangerous for opponents.

Ramattra Adjustments

Ramattra has received significant changes to his Pummel attack. The most important adjustment is that the Pummel attack no longer pierces barriers, which was previously a major source of frustration for tank players like Reinhardt, who rely heavily on shields for team protection. However, Ramattra’s Pummel now deals 2.5 times more damage to barriers, amounting to 162 damage per punch to shields such as Reinhardt’s and Sigma’s. This change shifts Ramattra’s role into one that can quickly break down barriers but removes his direct ability to attack the players hiding behind them, resulting in a more balanced dynamic between tank matchups.

Reinhardt Barrier Update

Reinhardt’s shield has undergone a small but impactful tweak, with its total health reduced from 1,600 to 1,500. According to the developers, this change aims to fine-tune the balance between Reinhardt’s defense and offensive capabilities, as his barrier had become slightly too resilient in recent updates. By making the barrier easier to break, opponents should have an easier time dealing with Reinhardt’s team protection strategies, while Reinhardt players will need to be more strategic in how they manage their shield’s health during engagements.

DPS Hero Changes

DPS heroes in Season 13 have seen important adjustments aimed at improving their balance. Hanzo has had his base health increased from 225 to 250, restoring his previous durability and helping him survive headshots and burst damage more effectively. Sojourn now loses her minimum 25 energy cap but gains a longer delay before energy degeneration starts, from 7 to 12 seconds. Her disruptor shot damage has also increased from 60 to 80 per second, with 25% of that damage converting into railgun energy. These changes make both heroes more versatile and balanced in combat.

Hanzo

Hanzo is seeing his base health increased from 225 back to 250, a rollback to his previous health state. This adjustment compensates for changes to weapon damage that have made headshots more dangerous for Hanzo players. By returning Hanzo to 250 health, the developers aim to restore his survivability without making him too resilient against burst damage. This change should allow Hanzo players to maintain an offensive presence while providing more time to react to incoming threats.

Sojourn

Sojourn has undergone several significant adjustments, particularly to her energy management and disruptor shot. She no longer retains a minimum of 25 energy for her railgun, but in exchange, the time before her energy degeneration begins has been extended from 7 to 12 seconds. Additionally, her disruptor shot now deals 80 damage per second instead of 60, and 25% of that damage will convert into railgun energy. These changes provide more flexibility to Sojourn’s playstyle, allowing her to maintain pressure on the enemy team while balancing her railgun charges more effectively.

Sombra’s Rework

Sombra has received another rework, this time focusing on her stealth ability and overall lethality. Stealth is no longer a passive ability but instead activates when she uses her translocator, lasting for 5 seconds. This change eliminates Sombra’s previously unlimited stealth and adds a stealth timer that appears around the reticle. Although taking damage won’t completely cancel stealth anymore, it will reveal Sombra for 1 second, making her presence more noticeable in engagements. These changes make Sombra more vulnerable during stealth but also provide greater clarity in her interactions with enemies.

Hack and EMP Adjustments

Sombra’s hack ability has also seen some changes. The hack no longer ends Sombra’s stealth but temporarily reveals her. The silencing duration of her hack has been reduced from 1.5 seconds to 1 second, lowering its effectiveness in certain matchups. For Bob, the hack stun duration has been reduced from 10 seconds to 3 seconds, making this specific interaction less punishing. Additionally, her EMP’s ultimate cost has been increased by 12%, and her translocator cooldown has been extended from 5 to 7 seconds. These adjustments aim to shift Sombra’s power from utility to a more lethal playstyle.

Support Hero Changes

Support heroes in Season 13 have received several key adjustments to balance their healing and utility. Baptiste has had his Biotic Launcher’s primary fire recoil reduced by 30%, allowing for smoother healing and damage output in fast-paced fights. This change helps reduce fatigue from controlling his weapon during extended engagements. Brigitte has seen a minor nerf, with the cooldown of her repair pack increased from 5 to 5.5 seconds, slightly lowering her overall healing potential. Additionally, Juno’s Med Blaster has been nerfed, reducing its falloff range from 30-50 meters to 20-35 meters, and decreasing the healing per projectile from 6.5 to 6, forcing Juno players to take more strategic positioning to maximize their healing efficiency.

Baptiste

Baptiste has received a buff that reduces the recoil on his Biotic Launcher’s primary fire by 30%. This adjustment is intended to improve Baptiste’s overall performance by making it easier to maintain consistent healing and damage output in fast-paced situations. Reducing the recoil fatigue over longer engagements helps Baptiste players stay effective without needing constant precision adjustments.

Brigitte

Brigitte has seen a minor nerf, with her repair pack cooldown increased from 5 seconds to 5.5 seconds. This change is small but will slightly reduce her healing output, particularly during extended fights. By increasing the cooldown, the developers are aiming to make Brigitte’s healing more balanced while maintaining her overall utility in teamfights.

Juno’s Med Blaster Nerfs

Juno’s Med Blaster has been adjusted to reduce her dominance in mid-to-long range healing and damage scenarios. The falloff range of the Med Blaster has been shortened from 30-50 meters to 20-35 meters, forcing Juno players to adopt a closer, more aggressive playstyle. Additionally, the healing per projectile has been decreased from 6.5 to 6, making it more challenging to heal from a distance. These changes emphasize positioning as a key factor in Juno’s effectiveness.

Map Changes

Season 13 introduces several significant map changes, aimed at improving gameplay flow and balance. Dorado now features an elevator on the red building at the first point, giving attackers easier access to the high ground, while the yellow building has been closed off with a roof to alter sightlines. Havana has been reworked to prevent spawn camping, with a new exit added for attackers at the first point and additional cover placed throughout the map. Circuit Royale also saw adjustments, including the removal of a staircase ramp and added flank routes to give attackers more strategic options. These updates enhance the competitive balance and tactical depth of each map, ensuring a more dynamic experience for both attackers and defenders.

Dorado Updates

Dorado has seen a variety of updates in this patch, with key changes to its first and second points. Most notably, an elevator has been added to the red building on the first point, making it easier for attackers to reach the high ground. Meanwhile, the yellow building on the same point is now closed off with a roof, changing sightlines and providing more cover. Additionally, the back flank route has been slightly adjusted to give attackers a better chance of success when pushing through this area.

Second and Third Points in Dorado

At the second point, which is often referred to as the courthouse or church, attackers now have a new staircase that provides easier access to the high ground. Defenders also have additional cover options in the area, balancing the fight for control. On the third point, the door has been moved back, and new cover has been placed along the path, giving both attackers and defenders more strategic opportunities as they approach the final stage of the map.

Havana Reworks

Havana has undergone significant reworks to improve the flow of the map and reduce the impact of spawn camping. A new exit has been added to the attackers’ spawn on the first point, making it more difficult for defenders to lock down the attacking team right out of the gate. One of the windows on the first point has also been removed to reduce sniping pressure. The second point’s middle area has been closed off, and new walls have been added near the mega health pack, providing more cover for players.

Third Point Changes in Havana

The attacker spawn on the third point has been reworked to prevent spawn camping in the final stages of the map. A new exit has been added, allowing attackers to approach the third point from a different angle, improving strategic options and reducing the likelihood of being trapped by the defending team.

Circuit Royale Updates

Circuit Royale has seen a series of adjustments aimed at improving gameplay balance and reducing spawn camping issues. A new attacker spawn door has been added to prevent defenders from executing common spawn camp strategies. Additionally, the first staircase ramp has been removed, and a new entrance to the hotel building has been added, allowing attackers to approach the high ground with more options and less exposure to sniper sightlines.

Second Point Changes in Circuit Royale

On the second point, the high ground has been slightly reduced, and new barricades have been added for cover. A new flank option has been introduced in the form of a building opening, encouraging more diverse strategies for attacking teams.

Third Point Adjustments

For the third point, the back pool flank has been significantly expanded, offering players larger pathing and additional cover. This change provides more opportunities for flanking and reduces the dominance of defenders in this area. The archway has also been opened up, and a new door has been added, giving players more options for navigating through this section of the map.

Nani Map Updates

The Nani map has received updates aimed at improving gameplay flow, particularly by reducing run-back times for attackers. The initial attack respawn has been moved much closer to the first point, allowing for quicker re-entry into the fight. Point A has been redesigned into a jump puzzle, with an open staircase providing more vertical movement options for both attackers and defenders. This new design introduces fresh strategic possibilities for navigating this section of the map.

Point B and Third Checkpoint in Nani

Point B has seen changes as well, with the iconic green bust being moved back to alter sightlines and create more opportunities for flanking. A new staircase has been added near the mega health pack room to give attackers easier access to high ground. At the third checkpoint, the defender spawn room has been moved forward, making defenders immune to damage within the room and preventing spawn camping by attackers.

System Updates

Season 13 brings several system updates that enhance the player experience, particularly in communication and matchmaking. A highly anticipated feature is the new mic volume sliders, allowing players to adjust their microphone volume directly from the scoreboard, along with options to mute, report, or join and leave voice chats seamlessly. Additionally, text chat muting has been added, giving players greater control over in-game communication. Matchmaking has also been improved, with reduced queue times for wider skill matches and adjustments to role deltas, particularly for tanks, to ensure better balance. These updates aim to create a more streamlined and enjoyable gameplay environment for all players.

Mic Volume Sliders and Scoreboard Features

A long-requested feature has finally arrived: players can now adjust their mic volume using new volume sliders directly from the scoreboard. Additionally, players can now report others, join or leave team voice chats, and mute specific players from the same menu. Text chat muting is also now available, giving players more control over in-game communication.

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