Overwatch "remaster" patch makes changes to nearly half the hero roster Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Overwatch "remaster" patch makes changes to nearly half the hero roster Nerf this. News by Imogen Beckhelling Contributor Updated on 26 Sep 2019 3 comments In a whopping 8 GB download available right now for the Public Test Region (PTR), Overwatch has made changes to 13 heroes in a patch dubbed a "remaster". This year, Overwatch has seen some of the biggest changes since release, with the introduction of role queue and new tank hero, Sigma. But bringing in such a strong shield tank has disrupted the game's meta, and a lot of the new hero updates have seemed designed to combat it. Sigma is the most affected with the changes. His Kinetic Grasp ability (which allows him to absorb enemy damage and turn it into shields) no longer blocks Roadhog's Chain Hook or Brigitte's Whip Shot, making him susceptible to their interruptions. Sigma's ultimate, Gravitic Flux, will only hold players in the air for 0.9 seconds, reduced from 1.2 seconds. Perhaps the biggest change for the tank hero however, is to his Experimental Barrier. The regeneration rate for it has been reduced from 175 to 150 per second, and there's now a one second cooldown after recalling it, stopping players from spamming the shield and encouraging them to use it more strategically. The barrier's initial 0.2 second cast time has also been removed. On their own, these changes aren't huge, but paired with some of the buffs detailed below he becomes a much more manageable tank to take down due to the risks he'll have to take to effectively use these abilities. Orisa's Protective Barrier cooldown is increased, Symettra's Photon Barrier duration and health is reduced, and Baptiste's Immortality Field health is decreased - all nerfs to protective abilities. Where the buffs are concerned, Tracer's pistol damage falloff now starts at 13 meters, up from 10, heavily increasing the damage she can do at range (as demonstrated by u/THE-WALRUS-KING below). Quick look at the tracer falloff buff :) from r/Overwatch To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings D.va's Defense Matrix has been buffed, as has Winston's barrier and Lucio's speed boost effects - all changes which could help see a return of the long-reigning dive meta (a comp which had its own problems back in 2017). Moira, Doomfist, Sombra, Roadhog and Mercy bring up the last of heroes to receive updates, all of which you can read in detail in the patch notes. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Modder dives into Demon's Souls files following PS5 jailbreak, discovers fabled Ring of the Chieftain Who knows what's nexus? 4 Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 11 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Sennheiser's legendary HD 599 open-back headphones are just £70 at Amazon in the Prime Early Access Sale Comfortable with neutral sound and a wide sound stage. Preview Football Manager's new Console edition is the best you'll get without a PC Getting Touch-right. 1 Splatoon 3 Amiibos will be out next month Ink-coming! 3 Fans think Phil Spencer's shelf is teasing the Xbox Game Pass streaming box UPDATE: Xbox confirms old Keystone prototype. 61 Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store