Overwatch 2 Update Weakens Hazard and Sojourn

In the latest tweak to Overwatch 2, players will notice some significant changes to their gameplay experience. Blizzard has adjusted the cost of Hazard’s Ultimate and made modifications to Sojourn’s abilities, specifically targeting her damage output and energy generation. These changes seem poised to counteract some of the enhancements these characters received with the launch of Season 14.

As of December 10, Overwatch 2 ushered in Season 14, and with it came an array of updates. Fans of first-person shooters might have spotted various balance tweaks across the board. Sojourn, for one, had her Railgun’s lethality enhanced, while Hazard enjoyed an all-around power boost thanks to his role as a tank hero introduced in this season.

However, with the new hotfix, Blizzard is reining in some of these changes to maintain a fair game balance. Hazard’s Ultimate, Downpour, now takes 13% longer to charge, effectively slowing down how frequently he can deploy it. Sojourn, on the other hand, experienced a series of nerfs. Her primary fire damage has been decreased by a single point per shot, her Overclock generates less energy per second, and her Disruptor Shot no longer contributes to charging her Railgun.

This update exemplifies Blizzard’s commitment to maintaining balance through their Rapid Balance Update technology, first rolled out in Season 13. This system allows the game to receive timely adjustments without waiting for regular monthly patches, helping maintain an engaging and balanced multiplayer experience.

Alec Dawson, who leads gameplay design, shed some light on the current shifts in gameplay dynamics. He noted that Hazard is comfortably strong, so the hotfix aims to bring his performance in line, specifically in over-performing areas. In contrast, Sojourn, despite her previous buffs, required adjustments to prevent her from overshadowing popular heroes like Ashe, Cassidy, Reaper, and Widowmaker. Meanwhile, characters such as Reinhardt, Mercy, Kiriko, and Ana are seeing an upswing in use, while Orisa, Mauga, Roadhog, and Juno are losing ground among players.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that replay codes won’t be affected by this hotfix, unlike what usually happens with larger patches. However, players should be aware that on December 19, a bug fix will erase all current replay codes from Season 14. So, those who want to keep their recorded gameplay moments should do so before this fix is implemented.

The detailed patch notes for this update on December 16 include specific changes: Hazard’s Downpour Ultimate cost has been increased, and Sojourn’s Railgun now fires at a slightly reduced rate. Her Disruptor Shot no longer contributes energy, and the Overclock’s energy charge rate has been lowered. These adjustments demonstrate Blizzard’s continual efforts to fine-tune Overwatch 2 for a balanced and enjoyable gaming experience.