A new patch for Overwatch has hit the Public Test Realm (PTR) on January 23, bringing nerfs to some of the game’s most oppressive heroes including Orisa, Sigma, and Baptiste, while helping up strugglers like McCree.
Overwatch’s meta has been dominated by double shield since the release of Sigma, however, that might be set to chance thanks to new changes introduced on the PTR on January 23.
Three major components of the meta composition have been heavily nerfed, including Hero 31 and tank partner Orisa, as well as oppressive healer Baptiste, and currently-favored DPS Reaper.
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Almost every part of Sigma’s kit has been targeted in the latest PTR patch. His primary fire length has been shortened, giving him less long range threat. His Accretion also does 20 less damage, down to 40 from 60, making him less of a burst threat in close range as well.
However, the biggest changes hit his ultimate, Gravitic Flux. The powerful ability has plagued Overwatch team compositions who even dare to group up, but now there will be more counterplay open for enemies.
Sigma can now be interrupted before enemies fall, giving the opposing team a chance to try and avoid the damage even if they don’t have movement abilities. A well-timed Ana sleep dart will end the ultimate early, putting Sigma’s team in a tricky spot if he ults recklessly.
The slow duration on landing has also been cut from 0.9 seconds to 0.6 seconds.
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Combined with nerfs to Orisa’s Halt, only snaring enemies for 0.65 seconds instead of a whole second, it will be a lot harder to execute the duo’s bread-and-butter combo.
Baptiste’s Biotic Launcher beared the brunt of his nerfs, with the weapon now doing less damage and less healing overall. The recovery time between his burst-fire damage has been increased, while the radius on his healing orbs has been decreased, putting an emphasis on accuracy.
McCree was the only hero to receive buffs on the January 23 patch. His health was increased up to 250, and while the recovery time on his primary fire was also upped to 0.5 seconds from 0.42, firing his Deadeye will no longer lock his aim, giving him a bit more freedom to move around.
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Jeff Kaplan stated in a forum post on January 22 that the Overwatch team will be focusing on “frequent balance chances” in 2020, and they’ve come right out of the gates with a huge patch to shake up the meta.
The changes are currently only available on the PTR, and are subject to change before coming to live in the upcoming Patch 1.45 release.
You can find the full patch notes below.
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Overwatch January 23 PTR Patch Notes
Hanzo
Storm Arrows
- Damage reduced from 70 to 60
McCree
General
- Base health increased from 200 to 250
Peacekeeper (Primary Fire)
- Recovery time increased from 0.42 to 0.5 seconds
Deadeye
- Firing Deadeye no longer locks the player’s aim
Reaper
The Reaping (Passive)
- Healing amount reduced from 40% to 30% of damage dealt
Orisa
Fusion Driver (Primary Fire)
- Damage reduced from 11 to 9
Fortify
- Cooldown increased from 8 to 10 seconds
Halt!
- Snare duration reduced from 1 to 0.65 seconds
Sigma
Hyperspheres (Primary Fire)
- Range reduced from 22 to 20 meters
Gravitic Flux
- Can now be interrupted before targets begin falling
- Impact slow duration reduced from 0.9 to 0.6 seconds
Accretion
- Explosion damage reduced from 60 to 40
Baptiste
Biotic Launcher (Primary Fire)
- Recovery time increased from 0.36 to 0.45 sec
Biotic Launcher (Secondary Fire)
- Heal explosion reduced from 60 to 50
