Overwatch 2’s latest update introduces major changes to the new Stadium mode, focusing on the mercy rule, item pricing, hero balance, and adding the hero Freja. The mercy rule, which brings the game to an early end if one team has a substantial lead and wins three rounds in a row. In the past, the rule was only activated with a 15,000 cash difference, but Blizzard thought this was too high, and games took longer than expected. The update reduces this to a 10,000 cash difference to prevent so many premature endings.
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Overwatch 2 Stadium Update: Freja Joins, Mercy Rule Adjusted, Hero & Item Balance Changes Explained
Additional Stadium mode changes include extra cash bonuses when both teams have less cash than expected at round end and an increase in competitive points earned from matches. A significant part of the update is dedicated to rebalancing item costs and usefulness in Stadium. Blizzard saw that stacking massive amounts of Weapon Power or Ability Power had become too good, and other items were not as relevant. To help incentivize more varied item builds, values of many high-tier items were raised or their stats nerfed a touch, while many poor items were buffed.
On the hero’s side, Freja joins the Stadium roster with her own new powers and weapon items. Reinhardt and Soldier: 76 were also affected. Soldier: 76 – Helix Rocket damage reduced to decrease the 1-shot direct hit damage potential, which lowered total damage from 25% to 15%. Reinhardt received several nerfs to his Rocket Strike and Smashing power to compensate for the buffs his Fire Strike item in core Overwatch received and to reduce his melee damage build, which was outputting a little too much damage regularly.
Outside Stadium, hero balance tweaks include faster projectile speed and recovery for Reinhardt’s Fire Strike, a slight nerf to Freja’s Quick Dash cooldown, nerfs to Sombra’s invisibility, buffs to Hanzo’s primary fire and Sonic Disruption perk, and nerfs to Pharah’s Drift Thrusters and Concussive Implosion perks. The patch also introduces a Street Fighter 6 crossover and a new Overwatch Classic playlist returning to the 2020 gameplay style. Blizzard’s Stadium roadmap outlines upcoming heroes and maps for future seasons.
FAQs
Who is Freja in Overwatch 2?
Freja is a new support hero introduced in the Stadium Update, with abilities designed for healing and defense.
What is the Mercy Rule update in Push mode?
The Mercy Rule now activates when a team has a 10-meter lead and less than a minute remains.
