Overwach 2 Patch Nerfs Cassidy and Mei, Slightly Buffs Lifeweaver

Mei’s slow effects are slightly reduced, while Cassidy’s Magnetic Grenade will no longer track you to the ends of the Earth.

Blizzard Entertainment released a new patch for Overwatch 2, following several balance changes made when Season 5 went live. The latter introduced some CC changes for Cassidy, whose Magnetic Grenade could now hinder enemies briefly, and Mei, who could slow even more with sustained fire from Endothermic Blaster.

While the CC on Magnetic Grenade remains unchanged, the seeking radius is now 1.3 meters, and the homing duration is now 0.75 seconds. Endothermic Blaster’s maximum slow is down to 40 percent, while primary fire damage per second has gone from 55 to 70. Furthermore, Deep Chill now has a 65 percent maximum slow effect.

As for Lifeweaver, who struggles to be viable after so many changes, Thorn Volley has been slightly buffed. It now takes 0 to 20 projectiles to reach the max spread, and the ammo count is 80 instead of 70. Will this make him a top-tier pick? Probably not, but it’s there. Check out the full patch notes below.

Overwatch 2 Retail Patch Notes – June 28, 2023

HERO UPDATES

DAMAGE

Cassidy

Magnetic Grenade

We’d like for Magnetic Grenade to require slightly more demanding aim and intention in its use, especially at the longer ranges. The following adjustments will enable more counterplay for some heroes with quick reactions to be able to escape before the grenade sticks to them as well.

Seeking radius lowered from 1.5 to 1.3 meters.
Homing duration lowered from 1 to 0.75 seconds.

Mei

Endothermic Blaster

Despite the primary fire gameplay feeling more interesting now, Mei’s effectiveness overall was negatively impacted by the trade in damage for more slowing utility. We’re shifting some of that power back into her damage.

Maximum slow applied by primary fire reduced from 50% to 40%.
Primary fire damage per second increased from 55 to 70.

Deep Chill (Passive)

Maximum slow applied when this effect activates reduced from 75% to 65%.

SUPPORT

Lifeweaver

Thorn Volley

Lifeweaver provides a lot of healing and defensive utility but struggles with the consistency of his offensive damage output when not in close range. As he typically wants to position himself further away from his allies, these changes will enable well-aimed burst fire with the Thorn Volley weapon to be more effective at applying pressure to the enemy team.

Increased the number of projectiles to reach maximum spread from 0 to 20.
Maximum ammo increased from 70 to 80.

BUG FIXES

GENERAL

Fixed a bug with the competitive Titles not unlocking after earning them in the previous season.
Fixed a bug with our audio that caused an issue with the “Team Radio” feature, and call outs from team members should now more accurately reflect their locations.
Fixed in a previous update – Fixed a bug where the challenge requirement for games played in the “Flex Your Power” weekly challenge was incorrect.

MAPS

Antarctica Peninsula

Fixed a location that allowed players to escape the spawn room.
Fixed an issue causing low FPS performance when specific heroes were in certain areas.

Paraíso

Fixed a location that allowed players to escape the spawn room.
Fixed an issue causing low FPS performance when specific heroes were in certain areas.

Watchpoint Gibraltar

Fixed in a previous update – Fixed an issue with an Attacker’s spawn room that allowed the Defenders to enter.

HEROES

Doomfist

Fixed a bug with Rocket Punch that could result in not applying knockback during some heroes’ abilities.

Mei

Fixed in a previous update – Fixed a bug with Mei’s Secondary Fire not dealing extra damage to slowed heroes if you swapped heroes during the match.
Fixed in a previous update – Fixed an issue with Blizzard where enemies who had been frozen previously with Mei’s Endothermic Blaster would not freeze/remain frozen in the Blizzard.