Overwatch 2 is getting massive changes to tanks and damage to heroes, which will heal themselves quickly

Big changes are coming Overwatch 2 in the game’s next season, as Blizzard Entertainment experiments with ways to shake up its hero shooter. Some of those changes are currently being tested, thanks a weekend-long event called Quick Play: Hackedin which the rules of Quick Play mode have been changed to make games much, much faster.

But in season 9 of Overwatch 2, which should be released in mid-February, Blizzard is making an even bigger change that could have game-wide effects. Next season, both Tank and Damage heroes will get a “modified, toned-down version of the Support self-healing passive,” Overwatch game director Aaron Keller announced this on Friday. While some Overwatch 2 heroes can heal themselves, more of the roster doesn’t have to rely on supporting characters to keep them alive.

“This should give non-Support players more options to sustain themselves,” Keller explains. “It should also take some of the pressure off Support players to keep everyone alive, as individual players now have more control over their own health pool.”

Keller prefaced this big change to Tank and Damage heroes by pointing out how frustrating it can be when players don’t focus on teamwork.

“When a team works together – with each player using their hero to their full potential while relying on each other to execute a strategy – the game feels magical,” said Keller. “However, if this doesn’t happen and players all work alone, the game is far from magical and can become frustrating. Reliance on teammates can be one of the best and worst qualities of our game at the same time.

That frustration can go both ways. Tank and Damage heroes often look to their Support players to keep them alive, while Support players pressure the rest of the team to position themselves wisely where they can be easily reached and healed.

Another possible change could also reduce frustration, especially on the support side. Your teammates’ on-screen health indicators, which appear in PvE events (but not in core leagues). Overwatch 2 modes) may be coming to PvP modes. Keller calls them “Party Frames” and lists them among other possible features “that will make it easier for players to work together as a team.” He also mentions “additional improvements, changes to our leaderboard, and ways to reduce spawn camping” as discussed.

These are all substantive changes Overwatch 2 in 2024, which will also include the addition of at least two additional heroes – Venture and a character codenamed Space Ranger – and changes to the way the game’s Battle Pass system works.

“When I look at the future of Overwatch, a year or two from now, I don’t see exactly the same game we’re playing now, just with a few more heroes and cards added,” Keller said. “The game should always evolve with new systems and features that serve our players.”