New PTR patch in testing brings changes to Orisa and numerous other Overwatch characters

A brand new patch is set for testing on Overwatch‘s PTR server, and it’s another big one. It features multiple large changes that could have an immediate effect on the meta, as six of the game’s 24 heroes are receiving changes. They’re listed below:

Ana

• Biotic Rifle

Damage decreased from 80 to 60

• Biotic Grenade

Impact damage reduced from 60 to 30

Impact healing reduced from 100 to 50

Junkrat

• No longer hurts himself from his own explosions. (Effect added to current passive: Total Mayhem)

Orisa

• Fusion Driver

Magazine size lowered from 200 to 150

• Supercharger

Cost increased by 15%

Sombra

• Stealth

Sound effects and VO distance for entering and exiting Stealth reduced to 15 meters.

• Translocator

Cooldown reduced from 6s to 4s

Winston

• Barrier Projector

Cooldown now starts when the barrier is placed, instead of when it ends

Zenyatta

• Orb of Destruction

Alternate fire recovery reduced from 1s to 0.6s

• Orb of Discord

Can now target enemies through barriers

The biggest of these initial changes is Ana getting a wholesale nerf, with her damage being brought down to 60 from 80. This immediately means she can no longer three-shot most of the cast at 200 health, now having to finish them off with an additional fourth shot. It’s not clear yet if this also affects her healing, but her Biotic Grenade took a huge hit, with both its splash effect of healing and damage being halved. The culprit of the much-maligned tank meta may soon be on her way out.

Orisa has yet to hit the live servers, but she’s already seeing reasonable changes, as her magazine size has been dropped to 150, which is much more manageable. Sombra, Winston and Zenyatta all saw significant changes as well, as these buffs will help them out in various ways. Meanwhile, the buff to Junkrat is minor but could help him out in certain close quarters situations.

This patch is coming soon to PTR, possibly as early as Tuesday morning.

What do you think of these various changes coming to Overwatch? Let us know on Twitter @GAMURScom.

Contact the author: scott.d@gamurs.com