Overwatch 2 teases balance changes for upcoming 6v6 tests

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Key things

  • Tank cooldowns are increased for 6v6 tests in Overwatch 2 to balance gameplay.
  • Some heroes are getting nerfs, while a few supports are getting buffs to accommodate the new 6v6 format.
  • The changes aim to reduce visual clutter, maintain soft crowd control, and balance hero power levels.



Overwatch 2 recently featured some balance changes for the Season 14 6v6 tests, including cooldown tweaks, returns to several hero reworks, and reduced duration of battlefield barriers and obstacles. These and other changes will be implemented in an effort to accommodate Overwatch 2 to a 6v6 format when the first test starts around December 17.

6v6 is officially back Overwatch 2 in the form of Overwatch: Classic. However, this is only the beginning of a larger experiment with six-player teams, with two different 6v6 tests. Overwatch 2 Season 14. To facilitate these tests, certain heroes will undergo changes specifically in this game mode.

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During a recent interview with Overwatch 2 Spilo content creator, lead game designer Alec Dawson gave several examples of these changes. Many tanks inside Overwatch 2 they get nerfs in the form of higher cooldowns on their abilities, such as with Ramattra's Void Barrier and Reinhardt's Charge. Others will receive rollback changes Overwatch 2 changes – Zarya's barriers are back on a separate cooldown, Reinhardt loses one Fire Strike charge and control effectiveness on Charge, and Roadhog's rework has been completely reversed.



Overwatch 2 6v6 specific balance changes confirmed

  • Tank nerves
    • Many cooldown boosts including:
      • Ramattra's Empty Barrier
      • Reinhardt's Charge
      • Reinhardt's Fire Strike (now has one charge)
      • Zarya's bubbles are on separate cooldowns
    • Tank critical passives and crowd reduction are removed, health reduced
    • Reinhardt can cancel his attack, but maneuverability has been reduced
    • Roadhog's rework is returned, losing his Pig Pen and Take a Breather resource meter, but regaining his alt fire
  • Support enthusiasts
    • Zenyatta's Orb of Discord no longer has a target cooldown and has an increased effect
    • Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade cooldowns are reduced
  • Blanket changes
    • Auto heal starts after 7 seconds instead of 5 (support is 3.5 seconds)
    • Permanent obstacles like Lifeweaver's Tree of Life and Mauga's Cage Fight will have a reduced duration


This means that some heroes – especially support Overwatch 2 – instead they get buffs to help them juggle bigger teams. For example, Zenyatta's Orb of Discord has a larger effect and no longer has a target cooldown, and Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade both have their cooldowns reduced.

These balance changes may sound familiar, as they make heroes play much like Overwatch: Classic. In general, the design philosophy of 6v6 tests is to move energy away from tanks, reduce visual clutter and complexity, but keep Overwatch 2“soft crowd control” approach. Obstacles like Lifeweaver's Tree of Life and Mauga's Cage Fight will have their duration reduced, tank passives will be removed, and the auto-healing factor will take two seconds longer to trigger. Not everything returns to its original state. Overwatch 2 levels, however – Winston keeps his alternate fire and Mei doesn't get her Endothermic Blaster freeze back. The 6v6 tests seem to be an interesting intersection between the two Overwatch 1 and 2 design philosophy.


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