Overwatch developer Blizzard has showcased a major display of faith in the game’s professional players, leaning on them to decide which changes should be deployed on its Experimental card.
In a panel featuring a collection of Overwatch League pros, Twitch streamers, and the game’s Lead Hero Designer Geoff Goodman, various alterations were made to the first-person shooter’s cast of characters. Not only will these changes be playable from March 22, but four regional tournaments will also be played on the Experimental card with a total prize pool of $40,000.
What Overwatch Experimental card changes are coming?
Buffs, nerfs, and other alterations were given to the majority of characters, with only a few heroes escaping the panel’s clutches. Some of the most significant changes include Wrecking Ball’s Adaptive Shields now charging players’ ultimates when they shoot at him, Ana being able to use her Nano Boost on herself, and Sombra’s abilities receiving lengthier cooldowns.
The changes are already proving to be controversial among the game’s community. In the Blizzard forum post outlining the upcoming Experimental card patch notes, users complained that the changes would only prove to be beneficial to Overwatch’s top players and that they wouldn’t benefit the wider player base. There were also concerns that Wrecking Ball and Sombra had been “gutted,” meaning that they had been nerfed to the point that they would no longer be usable.
Fortunately, as these changes will only go live in the Overwatch Experimental card, they won’t affect the game’s traditional modes. They will instead be deployed to a temporary game mode players will be able to access later this month.
Overwatch Experimental card patch notes
The full Overwatch Experimental card patch notes are as follows:
Widowmaker
Venom Mine
- Increased Range
- Increased Duration
Ana
Biotic Rifle
- Ammo increased from 12 to 14
Nano Boost
- Can now be used on yourself
Sigma
- No Changes
Junkrat
Concussion Mine
- Minimum damage increased to from 30 to 35
Reaper
Shadowstep
- Decreased Sound Volume/ Removed Voice Lines
Mercy
Valkyrie
- Guardian Angel now resets per final blow (elimination)
Ashe
Dynamite
- Damage reduced to 18 DP/s (100 to 90 Total)
Wrecking Ball
- Character Model Changed/Decreased Hitbox
Quad Cannon
- Ammo Decreased to 70
Adaptive Shields
- Now gives enemies ultimate charge
Grapple
- Increased Cooldown to 6/7
Sombra
Translocator
- Increased cooldown to 7
Hack
- Increased Cast time by .5 (1.15)
- Hack duration increased from 5 to 6 seconds
Zarya
Projected Barrier
- Range Increased by (approx. 3-4 meters) (not specified)
Reinhardt
Earthshatter
- Duration now scales with range
Brigitte
Inspire
- Now cancels duration upon death
Soldier: 76
Helix Rockets
- Now has a charge count of 2 (2nd charge is gained)
- Damage decreased to 80
- Self-damage decreased (not specified)
Tactical Visor
- Increased Range
Pharah
General
- Now has an added Damage Gain/Reduction depending whether you are in the Air or On the ground (-5%/+10%)
Zenyatta
Transcendence
- Increased Movement & Jump Verticle speed (approx. 5%)
Tracer
General
- Health Increased by 25
Recall
- Increased Cooldown
Winston
General
- Health Changed to 350/165
Roadhog
- No Changes
Baptiste
Regenerative Burst
- Ally healing reduced
Immortality FIeld
- Health Cap reduced from 20% to 1 health
Bastion
Self-Repair
- Increased Movement speed while active
Hanzo
Dragonstrike
- Increased Damage
- Increased projectile speed
- Decreased Dragon Cast Location (Dragons now cast closer to hanzo)
Genji
Shuriken
- Secondary fire spread reduced
Dragonblade
- Now gets more duration upon per elimination
Doomfist
- No changes
Orisa
Protective Barrier
- Barrier Health increased to 700
- Cooldown increased to 11
Supercharger
- Increased health of supercharger device
Moira
- No changes proposed
Echo
Duplicate
- Now exits with 50% health (not specified on the exit cause)
Torbjorn
Turret
- Now can have two turrets online
- Reduced Health/Damage
Symmetra
Sentry Turret
- Projectile Speed increased (when traveling in the air)
Lucio
Crossfade
- Range Increased by 50%
- Effects scales with distance
Soundwave (Boop)
- Cooldown increased from 4 to 6-8 seconds
Mei
Endothermic Blaster
- Ammo increased to 140
D.Va
Boosters
- Increased Range (Increased Boosters duration)
In other Overwatch news, players have been wondering if the PS5 version of the game will receive 120 FPS enhancements on the next-gen version of the game. The Overwatch League also stated it would refund purchases of Sinatraa’s alien skin following sexual assault allegations leveled at the player.
