Overwatch February 11 patch notes: Orisa and Winston buffs, Wrecking Ball nerfed

Despite rumours of Overwatch 2 being delayed impacting the first title with a severe lack of new content, Blizzard is constantly trying to spice things up with multiple updates and patches that aim to change the game's meta.

With the experimental mode, the developers can try more extreme measures to achieve their goals, and proof of that is the most recent 11th February update, which is now live on all platforms, including PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch.

The changes Blizzard has cooked up are quite interesting. First off, Orisa's Fortify ability, which already allows the quadruped tank to absorb a considerable amount of damage, won't have the headshot hitbox active, meaning she'll resist even more incoming damage.

• Read more: Genji's Korean voice actor reveals he hasn't started recording Overwatch 2 Genji voiceover

Another fan favourite tank in desperate need of a rework, if I do say so myself, is Winston. The scientist had a small shift in his health and armor ratio, gaining an extra 50 of the latter.  

Take a look at the full patch notes below.

Overwatch February 11 Experimental patch notes

(Image: Blizzard Entertainment)

ORISA
This will make Fortify more reliable at preventing large bursts of incoming damage and should help it feel more consistent as a defensive ability.
Fortify

• Prevents critical headshot damage while effect is active

REAPER
Reaper's shotguns have a high damage potential but require close range or large targets to fully utilize. We're experimenting with smoothing this out by extending the range at which he can consistently deal damage while lowering the maximum damage of each shot.
Hellfire Shotguns

• Spread reduced from 8 to 6
• Damage per projectile reduced from 7 to 6

WINSTON
With this change Winston will be slightly more resilient against shotguns, beams, and weapons with a high rate of fire.

• Base Armor/Health has been redistributed from 100/400 to 150/350

WRECKING BALL
For how often it can occur, Wrecking Ball's knockback is potentially too strong. We're reducing the distance it moves enemy players to bring it more in line with other low cooldown knockback abilities.
Grappling Claw

• Knockback strength reduced 25%