A Recent Hero Hotfix May Be a Small Step Forward for Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2 has found itself in an interesting position recently following the launch of Marvel Rivals. Although NetEase’s new title has certainly drawn away some of its player base, Overwatch 2 still boasts a substantial audience and remains dedicated to improving the game to keep players engaged. With their latest hero hotfix patch, the developers appear to be making small but positive strides forward - let's dive into the details below.

The Recent Hero Hotfix May Signals A Better Future for Overwatch 2

As most players have noticed, the recent Hero Hotfix for Overwatch 2 introduced a series of buffs and nerfs targeting some of the game’s most polarizing characters: Hazard, Sojourn, and Widowmaker. Hazard saw a slight nerf to his forward guard, while Sojourn’s Railgun deteriorates slightly earlier. However, the most attention-grabbing change is to Widowmaker - her scoped shots no longer benefit from projectile size increases.

New Hero balance hotfix incoming 🚨

🦾 Sojourn Railgun energy degeneration now starts at 9 sec
🕸️ Widowmaker scoped shots no longer benefit from projectile size increase
😈 Hazard Spike Guard duration reduced to 3 sec & damage reduction reduced to 65%

📝 https://t.co/JvSLXsRTCL

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) January 7, 2025

For several seasons, Widowmaker has been one of the most contentious and, dare I say, hated characters in the game. The controversy revolves around two key aspects: her one-shot potential and control of space simply by existing. While some argue her one-shot potential requires skill (a debatable point), combining that with her ability to deny tons of space by merely standing there has led to near-game-breaking encounters.

The issue becomes most apparent on maps with elevated positions where Widowmaker can nest. When this happens, matches devolve into a game of “hide and seek,” forcing teams to prioritize survival over engaging in actual Overwatch gameplay. While it might seem like Widowmaker’s effectiveness depends on player skill, simply having her on the enemy team is enough to disrupt the flow of the match.

Even a less-experienced Widowmaker can cripple your composition with a single shot, which is particularly devastating in the current 5v5 format (as opposed to the 6v6 mode still being tested). With dive heroes like Genji still nerfed into irrelevance, countering her often feels impossible.

This latest change, which reduces the projectile size of her scoped shots, will require Widowmaker players to aim more carefully to secure kills. While it doesn’t fully address the core issues - many players still advocate for the removal of her one-shot mechanic - it’s a step in the right direction. At least in 5v5 matches (unfortunately, 6v6 tests will still use standard projectile sizes), players can feel reassurance that Widowmaker will now need to demonstrate more precision.

While not the comprehensive solution fans hoped for, this adjustment represents a reasonable middle ground from the developers and a small but meaningful improvement for Overwatch 2.