overwatch experimental card changes

Overwatch allows pro players to decide on huge Experimental card changes

Overwatch developer Blizzard has showcased a major display of faith in the game’s professional players, leaning on them to decide which changes should be deployed on its Experimental card.

In a panel featuring a collection of Overwatch League pros, Twitch streamers, and the game’s Lead Hero Designer Geoff Goodman, various alterations were made to the first-person shooter’s cast of characters. Not only will these changes be playable from March 22, but four regional tournaments will also be played on the Experimental card with a total prize pool of $40,000.

What Overwatch Experimental card changes are coming?

Buffs, nerfs, and other alterations were given to the majority of characters, with only a few heroes escaping the panel’s clutches. Some of the most significant changes include Wrecking Ball’s Adaptive Shields now charging players’ ultimates when they shoot at him, Ana being able to use her Nano Boost on herself, and Sombra’s abilities receiving lengthier cooldowns.

The changes are already proving to be controversial among the game’s community. In the Blizzard forum post outlining the upcoming Experimental card patch notes, users complained that the changes would only prove to be beneficial to Overwatch’s top players and that they wouldn’t benefit the wider player base. There were also concerns that Wrecking Ball and Sombra had been “gutted,” meaning that they had been nerfed to the point that they would no longer be usable.

Fortunately, as these changes will only go live in the Overwatch Experimental card, they won’t affect the game’s traditional modes. They will instead be deployed to a temporary game mode players will be able to access later this month.

Overwatch Experimental card patch notes

The full Overwatch Experimental card patch notes are as follows:

Widowmaker

Venom Mine

  • Increased Range
  • Increased Duration

Ana

Biotic Rifle

  • Ammo increased from 12 to 14

Nano Boost

  • Can now be used on yourself

Sigma

  • No Changes

Junkrat

Concussion Mine

  • Minimum damage increased to from 30 to 35

Reaper

Shadowstep

  • Decreased Sound Volume/ Removed Voice Lines

Mercy

Valkyrie

  • Guardian Angel now resets per final blow (elimination)

Ashe

Dynamite

  • Damage reduced to 18 DP/s (100 to 90 Total)

Wrecking Ball

  • Character Model Changed/Decreased Hitbox

Quad Cannon

  • Ammo Decreased to 70

Adaptive Shields

  • Now gives enemies ultimate charge

Grapple

  • Increased Cooldown to 6/7

Sombra

Translocator

  • Increased cooldown to 7

Hack

  • Increased Cast time by .5 (1.15)
  • Hack duration increased from 5 to 6 seconds

Zarya

Projected Barrier

  • Range Increased by (approx. 3-4 meters) (not specified)

Reinhardt

Earthshatter

  • Duration now scales with range

Brigitte

Inspire

  • Now cancels duration upon death

Soldier: 76

Helix Rockets

  • Now has a charge count of 2 (2nd charge is gained)
  • Damage decreased to 80
  • Self-damage decreased (not specified)

Tactical Visor

  • Increased Range

Pharah

General

  • Now has an added Damage Gain/Reduction depending whether you are in the Air or On the ground (-5%/+10%)

Zenyatta

Transcendence

  • Increased Movement & Jump Verticle speed (approx. 5%)

Tracer

General

  • Health Increased by 25

Recall

  • Increased Cooldown

Winston

General

  • Health Changed to 350/165

Roadhog

  • No Changes

Baptiste

Regenerative Burst

  • Ally healing reduced

Immortality FIeld

  • Health Cap reduced from 20% to 1 health

Bastion

Self-Repair

  • Increased Movement speed while active

Hanzo

Dragonstrike

  • Increased Damage
  • Increased projectile speed
  • Decreased Dragon Cast Location (Dragons now cast closer to hanzo)

Genji

Shuriken

  • Secondary fire spread reduced

Dragonblade

  • Now gets more duration upon per elimination

Doomfist

  • No changes

Orisa

Protective Barrier

  • Barrier Health increased to 700
  • Cooldown increased to 11

Supercharger

  • Increased health of supercharger device

Moira

  • No changes proposed

Echo

Duplicate

  • Now exits with 50% health (not specified on the exit cause)

Torbjorn

Turret

  • Now can have two turrets online
  • Reduced Health/Damage

Symmetra

Sentry Turret

  • Projectile Speed increased (when traveling in the air)

Lucio

Crossfade

  • Range Increased by 50%
  • Effects scales with distance

Soundwave (Boop)

  • Cooldown increased from 4 to 6-8 seconds

Mei

Endothermic Blaster

  • Ammo increased to 140

D.Va

Boosters

  • Increased Range (Increased Boosters duration)

In other Overwatch news, players have been wondering if the PS5 version of the game will receive 120 FPS enhancements on the next-gen version of the game. The Overwatch League also stated it would refund purchases of Sinatraa’s alien skin following sexual assault allegations leveled at the player.

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