{"id":44524,"date":"2026-04-15T02:32:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:32:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=44524"},"modified":"2026-04-15T02:32:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T18:32:43","slug":"overwatch-season-2-patch-notes-make-big-changes-to-roadhog-and-soldier-76","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=44524","title":{"rendered":"Overwatch season 2 patch notes make big changes to Roadhog and Soldier 76"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n
<\/p>\n

\n

Overwatch <\/em>season 2’s patch notes are full of tweaks for old heroes and almost all of the recently added characters. Soldier 76 learns a new trick after 10 years. Lifeweaver’s rework is off to a promising, if modest, start. And Mercy’s primary healing gets knocked down a bit to compensate for the permanent addition of Flash Heal.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But one of the standout sets of changes in season 2 is for Roadhog. His chain hook ability’s short cooldown timer meant that players with good aim could hook supports and squishy damage heroes every few seconds, pop them in one shot, and move on to the next. That, plus a general lack of helpful abilities for anyone other than himself, made him one of the more problematic tanks. That’s changing this season.<\/p>\n

Blizzard has also made some welcome changes to Stadium’s ranked mode. Previously, your rank reset at the start of a new season, but that hard refresh is gone now, replaced by a more generous rank decay mechanic. Ramattra makes his debut in Stadium during season 2 as well, and if you’re tired of building Torpedo Juno during every match, you’ll have a few more options available that make better use of her Mediblaster and Hyper Ring.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Overwatch season 2 patch notes
\n <\/h2>\n

Here’s the full set of patch notes for standard modes this season.<\/p>\n

\n Sigma
\n <\/h3>\n

Hyper Regeneration \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n Now restores barrier health only when damaging enemy heroes.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Experimental Barrier (6v6)<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n Maximum health reduced from 650 to 60\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      \n Ramattra
      \n <\/h3>\n

      Ramattra’s getting a bit of an overdue boost for his primary fire and vortex ability, the latter of which will permanently include his most popular perk moving forward. Blizzard hopes it’ll give Ramattra an edge against airborne characters, like Juno and Sierra.<\/p>\n

      Ravenous Vortex<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n Vengeful Vortex moved from Perk to Baseline ability.\n <\/li>\n
      • \n Projectile now explodes on contact with the ground.\n <\/li>\n
      • \n Explosion can now be manually detonated while airborne.\n <\/li>\n
      • \n Explosion damage reduced from 50 to 15.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Prolonged Barrier \u2013 minor perk (new)<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n Void Barrier duration and size increased by 25%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Void Surge \u2013 major perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n Moved from Minor to major perk.\n <\/li>\n
          • \n Delay between bursts reduced from 0.75 to 0.6 seconds.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            \n Reinhardt
            \n <\/h3>\n

            Shield Slam \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • \n Added a custom setting allowing Shield Slam to be bound to Quick Melee, enabling free look while the perk is equipped\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              \n Roadhog
              \n <\/h3>\n

              Season 2 sees Roadhog get a bit more balanced, thanks to Chain Hook’s increased cooldown timer and<\/em> his primary fire taking slightly longer to reload. He’ll also have more team-wide utility with the Hogrogen Exposure perk, which adds some healing to nearby allies when he uses his self-heal ability.<\/p>\n

              Scrap Gun<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • \n Reload time increased from 1.5 to 1.75 seconds.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Chain Hook<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • \n Cooldown increased from 6 to 8 seconds.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Invigorate \u2013 major perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  Hogdrogen Exposure \u2013 major perk (new)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • \n Take a Breather now heals nearby allies for 50% of its healing amount.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    \n Winston
                    \n <\/h3>\n
                      \n
                    • \n 6v6) Base health reduced from 350 to 325.\n <\/li>\n
                    • \n (6v6) Total health reduced from 550 to 525.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Tesla Cannon<\/strong><\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • \n Deals 50% increased damage to deployables.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        \n Wrecking Ball
                        \n <\/h3>\n
                          \n
                        • \n (6v6) Base health reduced from 475 to 450.\n <\/li>\n
                        • \n (6v6) Total health reduced from 575 to 550\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Perk costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • \n Minor perk cost reduced by 7%.\n <\/li>\n
                          • \n Major perk cost reduced by 5%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            \n Anran
                            \n <\/h3>\n

                            Anran’s getting a few buffs to help balance her damage output and make it a little easier to get an elimination after igniting an opponent.<\/p>\n

                            Fan the Flames<\/strong><\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • \n Impact damage increased from 5 to 6.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              Inferno Rush<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • \n Impact damage reduced from 50 to 30.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Dancing Blaze<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • \n Now heals Anran for 50 health on the first target hit and 25 health for each subsequent target.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Hungering Blaze \u2013 major perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • \n Perk changed. Increases the healing of Dancing Blaze\u2019s subsequent strikes by 25.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    \n Ashe
                                    \n <\/h3>\n

                                    Double Barreled \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • \n Time required to retrigger Coach Gun increased from 1 to 2 seconds\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      \n Bastion
                                      \n <\/h3>\n

                                      Perk costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      • \n Minor perk cost increased by 10%.\n <\/li>\n
                                      • \n Major perk cost increased by 6%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        Configuration Reload \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • \n No longer fully refunds cooldown.\n <\/li>\n
                                        • \n Now reduces cooldown by 4 seconds.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          Armored Artillery \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          • \n Overhealth degeneration reduced from 100 to 50 per second\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            \n Echo
                                            \n <\/h3>\n

                                            Echo’s old perk that let her duplicate allies now returns as a permanent part of her kit, which, Blizzard says, should make it easier to pull off combos with the rest of your team.<\/p>\n

                                            Duplicate<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                              \n
                                            • \n Can now duplicate allied heroes.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                              Focused Rush \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                \n
                                              • \n Range increased from 4 to 6 meters\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                \n Emre
                                                \n <\/h3>\n

                                                No more endless lifesteal from Emre’s Siphon Blaster perk.<\/p>\n

                                                Siphon Blaster<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                  \n
                                                • \n Added an accessibility option allowing right\u2011click auto\u2011fire at a reduced fire rate.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  Heat Sink \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                    \n
                                                  • \n Heat generated from direct hits reduced from 100% to 60%\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                    \n Junkrat
                                                    \n <\/h3>\n

                                                    Mine Recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                      \n
                                                    • \n Moved from minor to major perk.\n <\/li>\n
                                                    • \n Eliminations with Concussion Mine restore one charge.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                      Bomb Voyage<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                        \n
                                                      • \n Moved from major to minor perk.\n <\/li>\n
                                                      • \n Attack speed bonus reduced from 35% to 25%\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                        \n Pharah
                                                        \n <\/h3>\n

                                                        Hover Jets<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                          \n
                                                        • \n Bonus movement speed reduced from 40% to 30%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          Barrage<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                            \n
                                                          • \n Pharah can now move while using Barrage.\n <\/li>\n
                                                          • \n Explosion damage reduced from 30 to 25.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                            Drift Thrusters \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                            Concussive Force \u2013 minor perk (new)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                              \n
                                                            • \n Concussive Blast deals up to 50 explosion damage\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                              \n Reaper
                                                              \n <\/h3>\n

                                                              Dire Triggers<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                \n
                                                              • \n Moved from perk to baseline ability\n <\/li>\n
                                                              • \n Cooldown increased from 3 to 6 seconds.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                Trigger Finger \u2013 major perk (new)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                  \n
                                                                • \n Using an ability or reloading refreshes Dire Triggers\u2019 cooldown.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                  \n Soldier 76
                                                                  \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                  It took 10 years, but Soldier can sprint and<\/em> reload now! He just runs slower while reloading. So much for being a modified superhuman.<\/p>\n

                                                                  Sprint<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                    \n
                                                                  • \n Can now reload while sprinting.\n <\/li>\n
                                                                  • \n Reloading while sprinting reduces Sprint\u2019s movement speed bonus by 50%,\n <\/li>\n
                                                                  • \n diminishing over the duration.\n <\/li>\n
                                                                  • \n Added a custom setting allowing Sprint to cancel reload.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                    Agility Training \u2013 major perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                    Full Stride \u2013 New major perk (new)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                      \n
                                                                    • \n Sprint\u2019s movement speed bonus gradually increases by an additional 25% over 2 seconds\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                      \n Sombra
                                                                      \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                      Perk costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                        \n
                                                                      • \n Minor perk cost reduced by 6%.\n <\/li>\n
                                                                      • \n Major perk cost reduced by 5%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                        Stealth<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                          \n
                                                                        • \n Movement speed bonus reduced by 50% while revealed by damage\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                          \n Tracer
                                                                          \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                          Perk costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                            \n
                                                                          • \n Minor perk cost reduced by 10%.\n <\/li>\n
                                                                          • \n Major perk cost reduced by 7%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                            \n Vendetta
                                                                            \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                            Vendetta’s still getting balance changes, this time in a bid to make her engage and retreat more strategically.<\/p>\n

                                                                            Perk costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                              \n
                                                                            • \n Minor perk cost reduced by 6%.\n <\/li>\n
                                                                            • \n Major perk cost reduced by 5%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                              Onslaught (Passive)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                \n
                                                                              • \n Movement speed per stack reduced from 4% to 2%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                Palatine Fang<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                  \n
                                                                                • \n Overhead swing bonus range reduced from 2.5 to 2.0 meters\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                  Armor<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                  \n Widowmaker
                                                                                  \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                  Perk costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                    \n
                                                                                  • \n Minor perk cost reduced by 6%.\n <\/li>\n
                                                                                  • \n Major perk cost reduced by 4%.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                    \n Ana
                                                                                    \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                    Ana’s completely vulnerable when her grenade is on cooldown, so Blizzard reduced the cooldown timer slightly.<\/p>\n

                                                                                    Biotic Grenade<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                      \n
                                                                                    • \n Cooldown reduced from 14 to 12 seconds\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                      \n Brigitte
                                                                                      \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                      Brig’s shield will last slightly longer now, so getting up close to activate Inspire should cause a bit less trouble.<\/p>\n

                                                                                      Barrier Shield<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                        \n
                                                                                      • \n Health increased from 250 to 300.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                        Combat Medic \u2013 minor perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                          \n
                                                                                        • \n Cooldown refunded increased from 0.5 to 0.75 seconds\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                          \n Jetpack Cat
                                                                                          \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                          Frenetic Flight<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                            \n
                                                                                          • \n Acceleration reduced by 11%\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                            \n Juno
                                                                                            \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                            Pulsar Torpedoes (6v6)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                              \n
                                                                                            • \n Cooldown increased from 10 to 12 seconds.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                              Glide Boost<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                \n
                                                                                              • \n Movement speed bonus reduced from 50% to 40%\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                \n Lifeweaver
                                                                                                \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                                Blizzard promised Lifeweaver changes, and the big one is that his life grip ability finally has a cleanse effect built into it, where that function was confined to a perk in previous seasons.<\/p>\n

                                                                                                Healing Blossom<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                  \n
                                                                                                • \n Maximum healing increased from 80 to 90.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                  Rejuvenating Dash<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                    \n
                                                                                                  • \n Healing increased from 45 to 55.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                    Life Grip<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                      \n
                                                                                                    • \n Now cleanses allies when pulled.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                      Sow the Seed \u2013 major perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                        \n
                                                                                                      • \n Cooldown reduced from 14 to 11 seconds\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                        \n Lucio
                                                                                                        \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                                        Crossfade (6v6)<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                          \n
                                                                                                        • \n Healing reduced from 20 to 18.\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                          Accelerando \u2013 major perk<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                            \n
                                                                                                          • \n Gain 15% attack speed while Lucio’s Speed Song is active, tripled during Amp It Up\n <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                                                            \n Kiriko
                                                                                                            \n <\/h3>\n

                                                                                                            Blizzard wants Kiriko to be less of an escape artist now, so you’ll have to play closer to your team. Equally important, she’ll heal more effectively by tossing seven ofuda per second instead of five.<\/p>\n

                                                                                                            Swift Step<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                                                                            Teleport range reduced from 35 to 30 meters.<\/p>\n

                                                                                                            Healing Ofuda<\/strong><\/p>\n