[Update #2]: Overwatch is heavily nerfing Sigma, Wrecking Ball and Ashe, while also buffing Hanzo.
[Update]: Overwatch has added the Winter Wonderland 2020 event and amazing new Priority Pass system!
In an effort to bring some more diversity to the tank roster in higher tier matches, as well as tone down Sigma's dominance, Blizzard has now released some nifty buffs for D.Va and Reinhardt. A portion of D.Va's health has been transformed into armor to make her sturdier, while Reinhardt has received not only more health, but more melee damage as well!
Additionally, in order to ensure double-shield doesn't become a major part of the meta ever again, Blizzard has also toned down Baptiste's ultimate and Immortality Field. Here are all of the details:
Baptiste
• Immortality Field
- Health decreased from 200 to 150
• Amplification Matrix
- Ultimate cost increased by 15%
To adjust Baptiste's overall power for the recent increased effectiveness of his Biotic Launcher and Amplification Matrix, we're taking some durability out of Immortality Field and increasing the cost of his ultimate once again.
D.Va
• Mech Armor/Health has been redistributed from 200/400 to 300/300
We're increasing the ratio of armor to health that D.Va's mech has to enable it to withstand more damage from shotguns, beams, and weapons with a high rate of fire.
Reinhardt
• Base Armor increased from 200 to 250
• Rocket Hammer
- Damage increased from 75 to 85
The intent of these changes is to slightly bolster Reinhardt's frontline presence once he closes the distance with an enemy. The increased Rocket Hammer damage will reduce the number of swings necessary to eliminate some heroes so we'll be keeping a close eye on the overall impact of this change.
While I still think that Sigma is the better tank, this does at least make Reinhardt far more of a threat once you get him into combat. In other words, these changes won't make Reinhardt fit into any of the existing meta team compositions, but it might just make him an integral part of some brand new ones! What exactly these team comps will look like, however, that we'll probably have to wait a little while to properly see as the upcoming holiday season is bound to have things slow down a bit.
The final thing worth mentioning is that Overwatch's Winter Wonderland event will be launching this December 15th! As always, the details are few and far between, but I can only hope it'll have some nifty challenges like the previous Halloween Terror event!
Whatever the case may be, I'll make sure to let you know once the update goes live.