Overwatch 2Feb 27, 2018 2:14 pm CT

Latest Overwatch patch introduces changes to Sombra, Doomfist, and Mei

By Anne Stickney

The changes mentioned in Overwatch’s last Developer Update have just hit live servers with the latest patch. There are a few small changes to Doomfist and Mei — who now has an increased Freeze duration — but it’s the Sombra adjustments that’ll take a little getting used to. Sombra’s EMP is no longer blocked by small objects like sign posts. Her Translocator has had its time increased from 15 to 20 seconds. The biggest change, however, comes with Sombra’s Hack ability, which has been given a rework.

As mentioned in the Developer Update, Sombra’s Hack no longer gains ultimate charge from health pack healing. This eliminates the need for Sombra’s teammates to take damage and heal with hacked health packs to give her ultimate a quick charge. The change does mean that Sombra’s ult will pop up less often — but to compensate for that, she’s been given more abilities to Hack. Genji’s Cyber-agility, Hanzo’s Wall Climb, and Pharah’s Hover Jets can all be disabled by Hack. In addition, Mercy’s Angelic Descent and Lucio’s Healing Boost, Speed Boost, and Wall Ride are all able to be Hacked. In theory, the changes should make her more effective — and way less reliant on her ultimate as well. Her ultimate may not charge as quickly, but when used, it’ll be far more effective.

Along with the hero changes, the Blizzard World map got some adjustments. Additional health packs have been added to the map, and some health pack locations and sizes have been changed. The changes were made just to give a boost to gameplay on the map overall, hopefully improving the experience for players. Read on for the full list of patch notes below.

Originally Posted by Blizzard (Official Post)

HERO UPDATES

Doomfist

Hand Cannon
- Ammo recovery rate increased from 0.8 seconds to 0.65 seconds per bullet

Developer Comments: This change will help Doomfist more consistently be able to use his weapon as part of his combos.

Mei

Endothermic Blaster
- Freeze (slow) duration increased from 1 second to 1.5 seconds
- Weapon alternate fire ammo cost reduced from 25 to 20

Developer Comment: Increasing Mei’s slow duration helps her freeze targets that are particularly elusive such as Genji or Lúcio. Lowering her alternate fire ammo cost allows her to more safely use it without costing her the ability to freeze enemies.

Sombra

EMP
- No longer blocked by small objects (e.g. sign posts)
Hack
- No longer gains ultimate charge from health pack healing
- Cast time reduced from 0.8 seconds to 0.65 seconds
- Now disables the following abilities:
  - Genji—Cyber-agility
  - Hanzo—Wall Climb
  - Pharah—Hover Jets
  - Lúcio—Healing Boost and Speed Boost (turns off current song entirely), Wall Ride
  - Mercy—Angelic Descent
Machine Pistol
- Machine Pistol spread reduced from 3 to 2.7
Opportunist
- Enemy health bars are now visible when health drops below 100% (formerly 50%)
  - Her ability to detect enemies through walls at 50% or less remains unchanged
Translocator
- Duration increased from 15 seconds to 20 seconds

Developer Comment: The goal of these changes for Sombra is to remove the necessity for her teammates to take damage and heal themselves with her hacked heath packs to try to get her ultimate charged up quickly. Her ultimate will now come up less often, but there are more abilities that are disabled by Hack so it is more effective when used. Previously, Opportunist would only activate when an enemy’s health bar dipped below 50% but now the passive will reveal all damaged enemies which should help Sombra identify targets in her line of sight to pick off. Overall these changes should make her more effective and less reliant on her ultimate.

MAP UPDATES

Blizzard World

Some health pack sizes have been reduced
Some health pack locations have been changed
Additional health packs have been added

Developer Comments: Health packs are a valuable resource in Overwatch and positioning around them is key to holding ground on defense or keeping up momentum on offense. We have moved the location of some health packs and included additional ones to improve game play on Blizzard World.