Overwatch 2 May 20 patch notes
Overwatch 2’s midseason update is now live, bringing balance changes as well as the Street Fighter collab, and other additions in the May 20 patch notes.
Overwatch 2’s Season 16 has been met with some of the biggest changes that have made the game feel like a breath of fresh air so far. After all, this season has not only introduced thenew hero Frejato the roster but also addedStadiumto keep things fresh.
With the midseason update included in the May 20 patch, Blizzard has continued to deliver more content for fans to enjoy. Thepreviously speculated Street Fighter collabis now live, giving some of the heroes an all-new makeover based on the franchise.
As per usual, there are new additions, bug fixes, and hero balance changes, among others. To keep you in the loop, here’s everything the patch has to offer.
Overwatch 2 midseason update patch notes (May 20)
Stadium Continues!
Midseason is bursting with style, celebration, and surprises as Season 16 continues. Choose your fighter to KO the competition in the Overwatch 2 x Street Fighter 6 collab and join Dokiwatch by unlocking the Mythic Merciful Magitech Mercy Weapon Skin!
Then step back into another Overwatch Classic era, reignite the fight with Drives, and dress up like Palace Royals. Plus, Freja enters the Stadium and brings incredible powers that will blow the opponents away!
Overwatch 2 x Street Fighter 6
ROUND ONE – FIGHT! Overwatch 2 x Street Fighter 6 collide for an explosive crossover event, celebrating the heart-pounding action of both worlds. With eight hard-hitting skins, emotes, plus cosmetic combos inspired by iconic moves and matchups, this collab brings Street Fighter 6 to the frontlines of Overwatch 2.
So, get ready to hit those lightning-fast kicks, charge with Psycho Power, or unleash a Hadoken-like arrow, because every move hits harder with this collab’s fighting flair. It’s time to choose your fighter and KO the competition in the fight for the future.
Overwatch 2 Season 18 start date, new hero & Sojourn Mythic
Overwatch 2 mid-Season 15 update patch notes
Freja abilities and backstory in Overwatch 2
Mythic Merciful Magitech Mercy Weapon Skin
Even in her absence from the Heroes of Heart, the spirit of Mercy endures. The Merciful Magitech Mythic Weapon channels the soul of Eleos, the Hamster of Benevolence, and reimagines Mercy’s Caduceus Staff and Blaster through the radiant lens of Magitech might.
Rescued after a daring escape, Eleos now brings kindness, healing, and hope to those heroes still standing against Woe. When you’re defending your team, this charming companion within your Mythic weapon ensures that Mercy’s Hero of Heart legacy lives on in every beam, every boost, and every act of compassion.
Overwatch Classic: October 2020
The nostalgia is real and Overwatch: Classic is back in action! Experience the October 2020 Patch in all its 6v6 glory with returning balance changes, role queue, and heroes like Sigma, Echo, Baptiste, and more. Whether you’re a veteran returning home or a new hero curious about the past, this is a classic fight you won’t want to miss.
General Updates
PLAYER REPORT TOOL
Hero Updates
Vault – Passive
Anarchic Zeal – Major Perk
Developer comments: Hazard’s slower climbing fits his lumbering tank fantasy, but it was a point of friction when trying to chase down or escape from enemies, so we’re speeding up how quickly he can vault over a ledge. Additionally, we’re boosting Anarchic Zeal’s lifesteal as the current value wasn’t effective enough.
Fire Strike – Ability 2
Developer comments: Reinhardt generally does well across the game but falls off in effectiveness at high ranks. We’re increasing the speed and responsiveness of Fire Strike to make it more reliable from range.
Quick Dash
Developer comments: Freja has continued to climb in win-rate now that players have become accustomed to her kit. We are partially reverting the Quick Dash cooldown to reduce her airtime and frequency of explosive bolts.
Shuriken – Primary and Secondary Fire
Developer comments: Genji’s shurikens can feel inconsistent against fast-moving targets. Increasing the projectile speed will make them more reliable, while the ammo reduction helps offset the added effectiveness.
Storm Bow – Primary Fire
Sonic Disruption – Minor Perk
Developer comments: Hanzo’s been underperforming recently so we’re reverting his bow draw speed back to its original, faster value. The Sonic Disruption perk isn’t picked very often but increasing its duration will make it more useful and require less upkeep to control a health pack.
Drift Thrusters – Minor Perk
Concussive Implosion – Major Perk
Developer comments: Drift Thrusters and Concussive Implosion have been too consistent at securing kills. These adjustments will give better opportunities for counterplay when fighting against these perks.
Dire Triggers – Major Perk
Developer comments: We’re aligning the recovery of Dire Triggers with Reaper’s primary fire to improve the flow when alternating between the two.
Soldier: 76
Stim Pack – Major Perk
Developer comments: Stim Pack’s button mapping made it difficult to activate, especially in combat. Binding it to Weapon Swap improves the control scheme and removing the anti heal makes it less punishing to use.
Translocator – Ability 2
Developer comments: Invisibility is a frustrating mechanic to play against for many, so we’re increasing the windows for counterplay. Sombra will now take longer to exit stealth and to disappear after taking damage.
Widowmaker
Widow’s Kiss – Primary Fire
Deadly Deux
Developer comments: Widowmaker is a more map-dependent hero than most and now with hero bans restricting her usefulness we’re looking to make her viable in more situations.
Solar Rifle – Secondary Fire
Developer comments: Illari often has to move into high-risk positions to heal effectively. Extending the range on her healing beam will give her more flexibility in how she positions and supports her team.
Lifeweaver
Healing Blossom – Primary Fire
Superbloom – Major Perk
Developer comments: The opportunity cost to use Thorn Volley is still too high compared to constantly charging Healing Blossom. We are improving the auto-charge to make weaving damage between healing less punishing.
Stadium Updates
Mercy Rule
Developer comments: We feel that not enough games that reach 3-0 are triggering the Mercy Rule when they probably should. We’ll be keeping a close eye on this and will be considering other changes to the Mercy Rule system in the future.
Round Completion Cash
Smashing – Power
To Me, My Friends! – Power
Wilhelmwagen – Power
Rocket Strike – Epic Hero Ability Item
Chimera’s Maw – Rare Hero Ability Item
Developer comments: To compensate for the buff to Reinhardt’s Fire Strike in Core Overwatch, we’re decreasing the burst potential of Reinhardt’s Fire Strike build and normalizing the max projectile speed Fire Strike can reach. We’re also tuning down Reinhardt’s Melee build to be a bit more counterable, which is performing too consistently given the high payoff of the build.
Cyclone – Power
Seekerpoint – Power
Seismic Shot – Power
Thread the Needle – Power
Deep Pockets – Power
Forager – Power
Peak Performance – Power
Redux – Power
Volley à Deux – Power
Lille Fælde – Power
So Cooked – Power
Mighty Gust – Power
Tracker Tag – Rare Hero Weapon Item
Slipstream Scarf – Rare Hero Weapon Item
Portable Zipline – Epic Hero Weapon Item
Windwalker Boots – Rare Hero Ability Item
Magnetic Maelstrom – Epic Hero Ability Item
Hunter’s Mark – Rare Hero Survival Item
Aeroweave Cloak – Rare Hero Survival Item
Tourniquet – Rare Hero Survival Item
Toxin Tips- Epic Hero Survival Item
Cratered – Power
Developer comments: Soldier 76’s Helix Rocket build is one-shotting a little too consistently. We’re decreasing the damage here a bit to reduce the burst potential.
Item Changes
Champion’s Kit – Epic Ability Item
The Closer – Epic Weapon Item
Eye of the Spider – Epic Weapon Item
Nano Cola – Rare Ability Item
Talon Modification Module – Rare General Weapon Item
Gloomgauntlet – Epic Survival Item
Icy Coolant – Rare Weapon Item
Multi-Tool – Rare Ability Item
Bloodbound – Epic Survival Item
Geneticist’s Vial – Epic Survival Item
Electrolytes – Common Survival Item
Adrenaline Shot – Common Survival Item
Developer comments: Stacking large amounts of Weapon Power or Ability Power have become too prevalent, crowding out other itemization options. We are lowering the cost efficiency of these items to promote greater item diversity and weaken builds that rely on high amounts of burst through stacking Weapon or Ability Power. We’re also strengthening some weaker item options.
