Overwatch 2 Season 14: Key Updates and Balance Changes

Release Date and Season Overview

Overwatch 2 Season 14 launched on December 10, 2024, at 11:00 AM PT (7:00 PM GMT), marking the beginning of an eight-week season filled with new content, balance changes, and exciting events. This season introduces a Nordic mythology theme, brings back Christmas modes, and adds a new tank hero named Hazard.

New Hero: Hazard

Hazard, the new aggressive tank hero, is now available to all players immediately upon login, with no need for unlocking. Here are some key changes to Hazard’s kit:

• Bonespur: Damage per spike increased from 6.75 to 7.5, and each volley’s center projectile now launches straight without random spread.
• Spike Guard: The angle of protection increased from 104 degrees to 180 degrees, but damage per second reduced from 75 to 70.
• Violent Leap: Post-slash recovery time for Primary Fire and Quick Melee increased from 0.3 seconds to 0.5 seconds.
• Jagged Wall: Health increased from 350 to 400, and knockback damage increased from 40 to 50.
• Downpour: Airborne momentum lost by casting Downpour reduced from 90% to 50%.
• Vault: Minimum obstacle height to trigger Vault reduced from 1.75 meters to 1.25 meters, allowing Hazard to scale short obstacles more consistently.

Hero Balance Changes

Tank Heroes

• Hazard: As mentioned, Hazard received several buffs to enhance his damage, survivability, and mobility.
• Mauga: Base armor reduced from 200 to 150, but base health increased from 375 to 425.
• Orisa: Armor increased from 300 to 325, but base health reduced from 175 to 150. Orisa’s Terra Surge ultimate ability now pulls enemies in from a further distance (increased from 8.5 to 10.5 meters).
• Ramattra: Ravenous Vortex now briefly interrupts horizontal momentum when first affecting a target and ignores barriers for line of sight.
• Winston: Jump Pack damage increased from 50 to 60. Torbjörn’s turret build time reduced from 3 to 2.5 seconds, and its base health increased from 225 to 250.

Damage Heroes

• Ashe: Coach Gun can now be activated while affected by mobility locking abilities, though it won’t move Ashe.
• Pharah: Jet Dash cooldown increased from 8 to 9 seconds.
• Sojourn: Railgun secondary fire damage scaling increased from 1-100 damage to 20-120 damage.
• Soldier: 76: Biotic Field cooldown reduced from 18 to 15 seconds.
• Symmetra: Teleporter base shield health increased from 200 to 250.

Support Heroes

• Baptiste: Regenerative Burst cooldown decreased from 15 to 14 seconds, and its radius increased from 10 to 12 meters.
• Brigitte: Inspire duration reduced from 5 to 4 seconds.
• Illari: Captive Sun explosion radius increased from 8 to 10 meters.
• Lucio: Crossfade self-healing penalty decreased from 60% to 40%, and Sound Barrier now falls faster when used in mid-air.

Global Changes

• Projectile Size: The size of all projectiles has been slightly reduced, making it harder to land hits.
• Damage Role Passive: The damage role passive now reduces healing taken by 25% for three seconds after these characters inflict damage.

Events and Game Modes

• Winter Wonderland 2024: This event brings back popular modes like Mei’s Snowball Offensive and Freezethaw Elimination. Players can complete event challenges to earn the Winter Casual Hanzo skin until January 7, 2025.

Bug Fixes and Custom Game Updates

• Several bug fixes have been implemented, including the fix for Reinhardt’s Earthshatter bug on certain maps.
• A new option to enable or disable passive health regeneration is now available in Custom Game settings.

Mid-Season Update Expectations

Although the mid-season patch for Season 14 has not yet been released, players are eagerly anticipating further balance changes and updates. Given the pattern of previous seasons, it is expected that the mid-season patch will address any balance issues that have arisen since the start of the season and possibly introduce new cosmetics or game modes.

In summary, Season 14 of Overwatch 2 is packed with significant balance changes, new hero additions, and festive events, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience for players throughout the season.