Overwatch 2 beta update reworks Roadhog, nerfs Soldier: 76, and more

Blizzard’s PvP beta for Overwatch 2Although the game has only been online for a few weeks, the developer already makes changes to it, such as significant tweaks for the heroes Roadhog and Soldier: 76. Zenyatta can also kick more now that the game is live. In addition to bug fixes and balance adjustments made as a result of player feedback Overwatch 2Is adapting due to broader changes Overwatch 2The heroes of Heroes with its 5v5 team structure.

Soldier: 76 is one of the most significant and welcome changes. According to Blizzard’s patch notes for the Overwatch 2 beta, ol’ Jack Morrison had his Pulse Rifle damage lowered (“we are seeing fewer counters to him with one less tank per team,” Blizzard says) and had his sprint speed reduced (on account of damage heroes already having a passive speed boost), but got a buff to his Ultimate, which can now deal critical damage. That should all be good news for Soldier-seeking players.

Roadhog got a whopper of a change to his Ultimate ability: Whole Hog no longer auto-fires his scrap gun, and he can’t be stunned out of his Ult. Here’s Blizzard’s explanation of the new Whole Hog, which previously put Roadhog in a Thank you vulnerable position:

This ability has changed from a ‘Channeled’ ultimate (e.g. Pharah, Reaper, Cassidy), into a ‘Transform’ ultimate (e.g. Soldier: 76, Genji, Winston). That’s what it means.

You must use Primary Fire in order to fire the weapon.

Whole Hog can be used with normal capabilities without having to cancel the ultimate

Stuns won’t cancel the ultimate

You can tweak healing rates and speed as well as ammo numbers, but there are two key changes. Sojourn’s alt fire for her railgun has a wider projectile, and Zenyatta got a firmware update to his kicking leg. Blizzard gave the Omnic monk a new passive, Snap Kick, which increases his quick melee damage by 50% and “significantly increases” knockback from kicks.

“Zenyatta has trouble fighting at close range, so he was at a disadvantage if an enemy flanked or jumped on top of him,” Blizzard says. “His new passive, Snap Kick, will help him create space and put enemies at his fighting range.”

Blizzard promises more improvements throughout the game Overwatch 2The beta PvP includes new heroes as well as reworks to support heroes. If you haven’t gotten into the PC-only beta yet, this weekend’s Overwatch League games offer another chance to get in via drops.