Overwatch 2 teases balance changes for upcoming 6v6 tests

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Important takeaways

  • Tank cooldown is increased for 6v6 tests in Overwatch 2 to balance the game.
  • Some heroes get nerfs, while a couple of supports get buffs to adapt to the new 6v6 format.
  • The changes aim to reduce visual clutter, maintain smooth crowd control, and balance hero power levels.



Overwatch 2 recently teased some of the balance changes for the Season 14 6v6 Tests, including cooldown adjustments, the return of multiple hero reworks, and duration reductions for barriers and battlefield obstacles. These and more changes will be implemented in an effort to adapt Overwatch 2 to the 6v6 format when the first Test begins on or around December 17.

6v6 has officially returned to Overwatch 2 in the form of Overwatch: Classic. However, this is just the start of a larger experiment with six-player teams, with two different 6v6 tests planned for Overwatch 2 Season 14. To facilitate these tests, some heroes will undergo changes specifically for this game mode.

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During a recent interview with Overwatch 2 content creator Spilo, lead game designer Alec Dawson gave some examples of these changes. Many thoughts in Overwatch 2 receives nerfs in the form of higher cooldowns on its abilities, such as with Ramattra's Void Barrier and Reinhardt's Charge. Others are reverted to Overwatch 2 changes – Zarya's barriers are on separate cooldowns again, Reinhardt loses a Fire Strike charge and control effectiveness on Charge, and Roadhog's rework has been completely reversed.



Confirmed Overwatch 2 6v6 specific balance changes

  • Tank nerves
    • Many cooldown boosts, including:
      • Ramattra's Void Barrier
      • Reinhardt's charge
      • Reinhardt's Fire Strike (now has a charge)
      • Zarya's bubbles are on separate cooldowns
    • Passives for tank critical and crowd control reduction removed, health reduced
    • Reinhardt can cancel his charge, but maneuverability is reduced
    • Roadhog's rework resets, loses Pig Pen and Resource Meter Take a Breather, but regains his alt-fire
  • Support buffs
    • Zenyatta's Orb of Discord no longer has a cooldown per target, and has an increased effect
    • Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade cooldowns are reduced
  • Blanket changes
    • Auto-healing starts after 7 seconds, instead of 5 (support is 3.5 seconds)
    • Persistent obstacles such as Lifeweaver's Tree of Life and Mauga's Cage Fight will have shorter durations


That said, some heroes – especially supports in Overwatch 2 – receives buffs instead of helping them juggle bigger teams. For example, Zenyatta's Orb of Discord has a larger effect and no longer has a cooldown per target, and Ana's Sleep Dart and Biotic Grenade both have their cooldowns reduced.

These balance changes may sound familiar, as they make heroes play the same way they do in Overwatch: Classic. In general, the design philosophy of the 6v6 tests is to shift power from the tanks, reduce visual clutter and complexity, but retain Overwatch 2s “soft crowd control” approach. Obstacles like Lifeweaver's Tree of Life and Mauga's Cage Fight will have their duration reduced, tank passives will be removed, and the auto-heal factor will take two seconds longer to start. Not everything is reset Overwatch 2 levels, though – Winston keeps his alt fire, and Mei doesn't get her Endothermic Blaster's freeze back. It looks like the 6v6 tests will be an interesting intersection between Overwatch 1 and 2 design philosophies.


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