Mercy, Roadhog, and Symmetra buffed in new Overwatch PTR patch

Following a Developer Update outlining a new feature for Overwatch spectating, Blizzard uploaded a new patch to the game’s test server. Mercy, Reaper, Symmetra, and Roadhog are all getting buffs, according to the patch notes.

For Mercy, it means a buff for Valkyrie, her ultimate ability. The ultimate cost has been reduced by 15 percent, with healing per second increased from 50 to 60. Blizzard reduced her healing output in a previous patch. The changes are supposed to target how slowly her ultimate built up. Former support hero Symmetra’s buff is with regard to her Photon Projector, which will have its primary fire beam charging up to 20 percent faster.

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“It’s still difficult to use Symmetra’s Photon Projector beam effectively, even after its range was increased,” Blizzard wrote in the patch notes. “By speeding up the primary fire rate, it takes less time to ramp up to its full damage potential and will be a stronger options when she’s presented with targets to charge up on.”

Reaper’s Hellfire Shotguns spread randomization has been reduced by 50 percent, with The Reaping’s life steal ability increased from 20 percent to 30 percent of damage dealt. The spread randomization will make his firing feel more consistent, with increased healing with the passive ability. He’ll be able to go head-to-head at a close range with these buffs.

Roadhog’s buffs are the heaviest, with changes to Chain Hook, Scrap Gun, and Whole Hog. Chain Hook’s pull delay has been reduced from .5 to .3 seconds, with the target’s momentum greatly reduced. Cooldown will begin immediately instead of after the hooking.

For Scrap Gun, the spread pattern has been adjusted for primary and secondary fire, with randomization reduced by 50 percent. Knockback for Whole Hog has a maximum velocity increase by 25 percent, with “horizontal recoil decreased slightly.” The large changes will make his abilities more consistent, Blizzard said.

Alongside the new PTR changes, Jeff Kaplan also discussed new content announced for Overwatch at BlizzCon. Blizzard isn’t announcing a new map at BlizzCon this year, but Kaplan said that it’s been working on new map content. The maps got lost in the shuffle, Kaplan said. “They didn’t have as big of an impact as we wanted,” he said in a Developer Update posted to YouTube. He did say, however, that the content announced at BlizzCon will be “awesome.”