Blizzard Hotfixes Overwatch 2 Stadium, Buffing Comeback Mechanics
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- Blizzard implemented a hotfix patch update to balance Stadium mode in Overwatch 2.
- The update buffed the bounty cap reward, an effort to increase comeback mechanics in the mode.
- A handful of heroes were rebalanced as well, including Zarya.
Blizzard implemented a patch update catered toward stabilizing the meta in Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode, the newest competitive mode for the team-based hero shooter. The developers increased bounty caps from 2,000 to 3,000, thereby widening opportunities for comebacks in a game mode that rewards steamrolling the opponent.
In addition to the buff for the comeback mechanic, heroes received balancing as well. Overpowered picks, such as Zarya, were nerfed, while underperforming heroes, such as Ana, received minor buffs to their kit.
Here are all the full Overwatch 2 Retail Patch Notes:
Economy
- Increased bounty cap to 3,000 (up from 2,000).
Armory
- Reduced timer from 100 seconds to 75 seconds in rounds 1 and 3.
- Reduced timer from 75 seconds to 60 seconds in round 2.
Tank
Zarya
- Reduced cash income from damage and healing by 12.5%.
Damage
Cassidy
- Reduced income from damage and healing by 12.5%.
Reaper
- Revolving Ruin – Power
- Reduced Attack Speed per stack to 4% (down from 5%).
- Increased maximum stacks to 10 (up from 8).
- Wraith Renewal – Power
- Fixed an issue where Wraith Renewal healing was always being doubled, regardless of what your current Life was.
- Spirited to Slay – Power
- Fixed an issue that caused Reaper’s cooldowns to be reset without getting an Elimination.
Support
Ana
- Home Remedy – Power
- Increased Overhealth gain to 200% (up from 100%).
- Dreamy – Power
- Decreased heal to 80% (down from 100%).
- Decreased duration to 4s (down from 8s).
- Venomous – Power
- Increased damage to 50 (up from 30).
- Quick Scope – Rare Hero Weapon Item
- Increased Weapon Power to +10% (up from 5%).
- I.V. Drip – Rare Hero Survival Item
- Increased Overhealth to 150 (up from 100).
Overwatch 2’s Stadium mode incorporates shop and build elements reminiscent of a MOBA. The game mode has its own ranked system and hero pool, thereby requiring its own unique balancing. Blizzard introduced the game mode on April 22, 2025.
