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Overwatch 2 Season 16 mid-season patch notes: Sombra nerf, Hazard buff, Soldier: 76 update

BBG News

Soldier: 76 has gained the ability to trigger his Stim Pack by switching weapons, as he currently does. In other updates, a pair of tanks have received boosts, while Sombra has experienced a decrease in power. Let me explain further.

The mid-season update for Overwatch 2 Season 16 has arrived! This latest patch includes adjustments to some tanks, numerous modifications for damage heroes, and two balance tweaks for support characters. To learn about all the retail Overwatch 2 May 20 changes, read on!

Overwatch 2 Season 16 mid-season patch notes

Tanks: Hazard and Reinhardt buffs

In the mid-season update of Overwatch 2 Season 16, both Hazard and Reinhardt receive enhancements. For Hazard, his Vault move climbs faster, and his Anarchic Zeal Perk now provides more life restoration. These modifications make Hazard quicker on his feet and more resilient. On the other hand, Reinhardt’s Fire Strike projectile speed is boosted, and its recovery time is reduced. This update enhances Reinhardt’s ability to attack and apply pressure, particularly in advanced rank matches.

DPS: Freja, Pharah, and Sombra nerfs plus Hanzo, Reaper, and Widowmaker buffs

Concerning the adjustments made to the heroes: Freja’s Quick Dash cooldown has been increased, decreasing her ability to stay airborne and repeatedly launch explosive bolts. For Pharah, the Drift Thrusters Perk now slows her movement during Barrage, and her Concussive Implosion Perk only pulls enemies a shorter distance. This reduces her overall power. In addition, Sombra’s Translocator and stealth updates have been modified to give opponents more chances for counterplay. Essentially, it takes longer for Sombra to leave stealth and become invisible after sustaining some damage.

In the following changes:

1. Hanzo’s power draw speed has been increased, and his Sonic Disruption Perk now lasts longer on health packs.
2. Reaper’s Dire Triggers Perk recovers quicker.
3. Widowmaker’s primary fire needs more precision and deals slightly more damage; also, her Venom Mine does double bonus damage with the Deadly Deux Perk.

This means that Hanzo can draw his power faster, and his Sonic Disruption Perk will hack health packs for a longer duration. Reaper’s Dire Triggers Perk now has a shorter recovery time. For Widowmaker, her primary fire requires more accuracy but deals slightly more damage, and her Venom Mine does double bonus damage with the Deadly Deux Perk active.

In simpler terms, Widowmaker is a character who performs better on specific maps, but due to hero bans limiting her effectiveness, we aim to make her useful in a wider variety of game scenarios.

Blizzard Entertainment

Alongside Genji and Soldier: 76, updates are also applied to them. Now, Genji’s shurikens move quicker but carry fewer rounds. As for Soldier: 76, his Stim Pack Perk becomes simpler to trigger, yet it inflicts self-damage rather than applying an anti-healing effect.

Support: Illari and Lifeweaver buffs

In the current mid-season update, only Illari and Lifeweaver among our support heroes have received updates. Now, Illari’s healing beam has a longer reach, allowing her to provide healing from safer spots. As for Lifeweaver, his Healing Blossom ability charges quicker, and with fewer hits activated, his Superbloom Perk kicks in, enhancing the efficiency of his healing capabilities.

Alongside numerous changes detailed in the patch notes, the latest update for Overwatch 2 introduces the Street Fighter 6 collaboration, an enchanting mythic “Merciful Magitech” Mercy weapon skin, a Stadium adjustment, and a reversion to the October 2020 setting within the Overwatch Classic game mode.

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2025-05-20 21:12

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