Patch Notes
Past Experiments
Overwatch Experimental Patch Notes - July 30, 2020
Experimental Updates
The next experiment begins! This time we’re experimenting with the Assault (also known amongst the community as “2CP”) game mode! Internal tests like these are a common part of development and we want to give you a look at some of the changes we have been trying out. The current iteration of this experiment is not planned to reach the Retail version of Overwatch you’re used to playing in Quick Play, Competitive Play, and the Arcade.
- Game mode overview
- Teams take turns attempting to capture points on the map. The game begins with Team 1 attempting to capture Point A. Once Team 1 either succeeds or fails to capture Point A, the teams switch sides and Team 2 attempts to capture the same point. If both teams succeed in claiming Point A, the next round will then move to Point B and the game continues. The team who succeeds in capturing more points wins the game
- Gameplay Flow
- Each team starts with 6 minutes of time to score as many points as possible
- Every time a capture point is successfully claimed, the attacking team scores 1 point
- After each point is successfully claimed or defended, teams switch sides and respawn
- Once both teams attack capture Point A and if the score is tied 1-1, both teams then attempt to attack and capture Point B
- After each team attacks capture Point B, and if the score is still tied at 2-2, teams go back to attempting to capture the Point A and this cycle continues one team wins, or both teams’ remaining time reaches zero without a winner. A draw is then declared
- Attacker respawn time has been reduced to 8 seconds, and defender respawn time has been extended to be 11.5 seconds
- After each team initially attacks capture Point A, each successive round has a shortened setup time
- After the initial attack by both teams on capture Point A, additional attempts to claim Point A in later rounds will have the defenders spawn in a new temporary spawn area
- The new temporary defender spawn area is only active until the round begins
- This new temporary defender spawn room was placed closer to capture Point A to allow for the shorter setup time. After the round starts, defenders will spawn in their normal spawn room
- Time Adjustments
- This game mode uses similar “time bank” rules found in Competitive Play, even when played outside of Competitive
- If the game is tied at the end of each team’s attacking rounds, if one or both teams have less than 60 but more than 0 seconds remaining, then an equal amount of seconds is added to both team’s available time until both have at least 60 seconds remaining
- If one team has 60 seconds or more time remaining, and the other team has no time remaining at all, then only the team with at least 60 seconds of time will have an additional opportunity to attack and win
- Win Conditions
- If Team 1 fails to fully claim a capture point, the Team 2 wins if they fully claim the capture point or can exceed the first team's capture percentage with a minimum of 33% captured
- If a team fully takes the point and the other team fails to completely take the point, then the team that captured the point wins
- If both teams cannot fully claim a capture point, the team with the greater capture completion percentage (with a minimum of 33%) wins
- If neither team can achieve at least a 33% capture completion percentage, the game ends in a draw
Overwatch Experimental Patch Notes - July 23, 2020
Experimental Hero Updates
The next experiment begins! This time we’re hoping to get your feedback on some balance updates. We’re using the 2-2-2 Role Queue ruleset so that you can get a feel for how these balance changes might affect the live game.
Genji
Recent Genji buffs made him see a lot more play. This is great to see, but some of these changes pushed him a bit too far. We’re pulling back on some of these changes, specifically with a goal of reducing some of his burst potential, and we’ll keep a further eye on him to make sure he lands in a good spot.
General
- Damage decreased from 30 to 28
Secondary Fire
- Recovery increased from 0.65 to 0.75
Moira
The main goal of these Moira changes is to give Moira players a chance to make bigger plays and flex their player skill. Biotic Orb (damage) is now generally harder to hit all enemies in a large area but will now reward well-aimed shots with significantly increased damage per second. The Fade change is intended to directly offer Moira players a chance to make big plays, and potentially turn a fight around single-handedly if used well. For example, Moira can now Fade allies to save them against big ultimates, such as Self-Destruct or Graviton Surge. You can also Fade an ally that has already been pinned by Reinhardt to force them to be released, saving them. There are many powerful uses of this new Fade effect, we’re looking forward to seeing how players use it!
- Attach angle reduced by 37%
Damage Orb
- Damage radius reduced from 4 meters to 3 meters
- Projectile slow amount after a target is found increased from -72.5% to -80%
- Damage-per-second now scales based on how close the target(s) are to the Biotic Orb
- Between 0 – 1 meter: It will deal 150 damage per second
- Between 1 meter – 3 meters : Scales linearly down from 150 to 25 damage per second
- Note: The normal damage orb on live is always 50 damage per second
- The total potential damage the Biotic Orb can deal is unchanged: 200 damage total
- Now phases out all allies within 6 meters (and self) for 1 second after exiting Fade
- Phasing makes a hero immune to all damage and effects. It will work exactly like Reaper’s Wraith Form or Moira’s own Fade effect in this regard
Experiments
The Experimental Mode allows players to try out potential new balance updates, game modes, and rule changes. The content within this mode is not guaranteed to be released and the mode may not always be available.
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