Overwatch 2 April 25 Hotfix Patch Notes Builds Hope For the Future

Overwatch 2 Developers have been on fire recently with their additions to the game. Perks, Hero Bans, the new Stadium game mode, and overall game balance have reinvigorated the Overwatch 2 fanbase. The Developers have monitored their internal data and player feedback, rolling out a hotfix patch to fix the over- and underperforming aspects of Overwatch 2. The Hotfix Patch specifically targets Stadium for most of its changes.

Overwatch 2 April 25 Hotfix Patch Notes

Below is a list of the Hotfix Patch Notes.

Damage

Freja

Quick Dash – Ability 1

• Cooldown reduced from 4.5 to 3.5 seconds.

Updraft – Ability 2

• Cooldown reduced from 12 to 10 seconds.

Stadium Updates

Tank

D.Va

• Increased damage reduction against Beams to 65% (up from 30%).

Damage

Cassidy

• Reduced the amount of Stadium Cash Cassidy gains from dealing damage and healing to 40% (down from 50%).

General item Updates

Weapon Items

Salvaged Slugs – Epic Weapon Item

• Increased ammo restoration chance to 50% (up from 40%).
• Increased damage to barriers to 30% (up from 25%).

Volskaya Ordnance – Epic Weapon Item

• Increased the weapon damage per 100 Max Life to 5% (up from 3%).
• Increased the extra weapon damage capacity to 20% (up from 15%).

Survival Items

Iron Eyes – Rare Survival Item

• Damage Reduction against incoming Critical Hits increased to 20% (up from 15%).

Reinforced Titanium – Rare Survival Item

• Damage Reduction against incoming Ability Damage while you have Shields increased to 15% (up from 10%).

Bug Fixes

General

• Fixed an issue where Competitive Points are not granted if the match ends early because one team left entirely.
• Fixed an issue where Overhealth is consumed on top of normal damage if the total amount of damage is more than the current amount of Overhealth on that

Final Thoughts

Given the speed at which the Hotfix came out, it bodes well for Overwatch 2. There is still hesitancy about Freja since she is currently underperforming, but that might be because of a lack of player competency and understanding of the hero. The increased mobility may tip Freja over the edge to become a meta mainstay for future patches.

The buffs and nerfs to Stadium are all positive moves in the right direction. Since you do not know what Tank the enemy is choosing, D.Va is a risky pick given how powerful Zarya is against her. The damage reduction increase against beams while the Defence Matrix is active should make the matchup more bearable.

Cassidy has become a menace in Stadium, often surpassing everyone in the lobby, so a nerf to his Cash generation is justified. Lastly, the overall increase in durability against high burst damage is a significant change since it often feels like you lose fights before they begin due to Cassidy, Ashe, or Juno finding an early elimination.