Overwatch 2 has recently announced exciting balance changes set for Season 17, which launches on June 24. A notable highlight is the comedic reduction of Bastion’s size, now trimmed down by 10%. Originally aiming for a 15% decrease, developers adjusted to a smaller reduction after realizing it rendered him “too cute.” This change is expected to enhance his survivability by making him a harder target to hit. In addition to Bastion’s size modification, several other characters will see adjustments aimed at improving gameplay.
Junker Queen’s Commanding Shout will now prioritize Overhealth for allies, strengthening her role as an offensive tank. Pharah and Lifeweaver will also benefit from quality-of-life enhancements to their respective abilities: Helix Shields and Cleansing Grasp. Other minor balance changes are anticipated, aiming to refine the overall game experience. One of the key modifications in this update is an increase in the damage role passive healing penalty from 25% to 30%.
This shift, alongside a global health regeneration timer adjustment from five to six seconds, is intended to counterbalance the high healing output from support characters and ensure damage heroes remain impactful in play. Scott “Custa” Kennedy, the associate hero designer, also hinted at potential future adjustments for Sombra, who has faced a high ban rate lately. He described her situation as complex and emphasized that changes would not be immediate. Players might not see significant nerfs for her in Season 17, but could expect notable adjustments or even a rework soon.
These updates promise to keep Overwatch 2 fresh and engaging, as players adapt to the new dynamics that Season 17 will bring.