[Update #2]: Overwatch Archives 2020 update has now suddenly arrived, bringing with it PvE challenges and some truly amazing new skins.
[Update]: The Season 21 update has brought in Hero Bans, a brand new map rotation, and even more balance changes.
Ever since Overwatch added replays, the most requested feature has been the ability to easily share those replays with friends and content creators. Well, it may have taken Blizzard quite a while, but I'm happy to say that the newest PTR update has now finally brought in just this feature!
The way the system works is about as simple as it gets. Each replay has a corresponding six-digit code, so share that with your friends through whatever means you prefer, and they'll be able to immediately check out your replay. The one big limitation is that the replay code will only work for the current patch, which given the rapid update schedule these past few months, means that each replay will have a shelf-life of around a few weeks.
Besides replay sharing, this update is also bringing in some small but rather exciting balance changes. Since the list isn't exactly long, here they are in full:
D.Va
• Boosters
- Cooldown increased from 3 to 4 seconds
Mei
• Ice Wall
- Cooldown increased from 10 to 13 seconds
- Player collision now allows large heroes to fit through 1 pillar gaps
Sigma
• Gravitic Flux
- Ultimate cost reduced 10%
Soldier: 76
• Helix Rockets
- Cooldown reduced from 8 to 6 seconds
General
• In the Assault, Payload, and Hybrid game modes for Competitive Play, when both teams complete a round of offense and have more than 2 minutes of time bank then each team’s time bank is equally reduced until one of the teams has a 2 minutes remaining
Example: If Team A completes a round of offense on Volskaya with 4:37 remaining in their time bank, and Team B completes their round on offense with 2:50 remaining, then 50 seconds is removed from each team’s timebank. This leaves the teams tied 2-2 and Team A with 3:47 remaining and Team B with 2:00 remaining
While the Mei and D.Va nerfs are more than welcome given how dominant both of those heroes are right now, I must admit I'm ecstatic that my boy Soldier 76 is finally getting some love! He has desperately needed a way to help him secure kills, and while this doesn't directly improve his damage output, it does make him a lot more consistent. And honestly, I think that's all he really needs to be viable at all ranks!
You can read more about these changes, as well as the accompanying bug fixes, over at the official website.