Overwatch PTR Patch Notes - November 14, 2018

[Stoy]

Overwatch PTR Patch Notes - November 14, 2018

A new Overwatch patch is currently in development and now available for testing. To share your feedback or report and issue, please post in the PTR Feedback or PTR Bug Report forums.

Please note that the below patch notes only include changes currently available for testing on the PTR. While many of these changes will also be available on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in a future patch, the PTR is PC-only and therefore will only reflect changes coming specifically to that platform.


General Updates

• Audio
  
  • PC - An option to use Windows Spatial Audio is now available. This feature can be found in the Windows Start Menu under Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Sound > Speaker Device > Spatial Sound
  • Developer Comments: Since launch, we’ve supported Dolby Atmos for players who use headphones, and we’re now expanding this support to include the Windows 10 implementation for spatial audio. Spatial audio is configured in the Windows 10 sound settings and will take priority over the settings in the game client. This will allow for more options, including settings for Windows Sonic Headphones, Dolby Atmos for Headphones, and Dolby Atmos for Home Theater.

Hero Updates

• Bastion
  
  • Configuration: Recon
    
    • Ammo increased from 25 to 35
  • Configuration: Sentry
    
    • Weapon spread decreased by up to 33% while firing
  • Developer Comments: Bastion could use a little bit of an offensive boost to balance out how vulnerable Configuration: Recon’s bulky size and Sentry’s stationary nature make it. To address this, we increased the ammo he receives in Recon mode and gave Bastion a lower spread in Sentry mode to make it more effective at farther ranges than it was previously.
• Brigitte
  
  • Shield Bash
    
    • No longer can travel or stun targets through barriers
  • Developer Comments: Brigitte’s Shield Bash is a strong ability that often feels difficult to counter. This change will offer new options for counter play, enabling shield tanks to better protect themselves and their teammates.
• Doomfist
  
  • Rising Uppercut
    
    • Loss of air control duration lowered to 0.6 seconds from 3 seconds
  • Seismic Slam
    
    • Maximum range reduced from 20 meters to 15 meters
  • Developer Comments: Doomfist’s high mobility allows him to engage and disengage from extremely long ranges. Decreasing the range of his targeted aerial version of Seismic Slam requires him to get closer before engaging an enemy and makes it slightly harder for him to escape from combat. The loss of air control on Rising Uppercut was a frustrating mechanic for players, but it allowed Doomfist to set up combos. We’ve found a decent middle ground by limiting the time Doomfist has to line up his next move.
• McCree
  
  • Peacekeeper
    
    • Alternate fire damage increased from 45 to 55
  • Developer Comments: McCree’s Fan the Hammer wasn’t as reliable of an option against higher health heroes as it should be. Increasing its damage will make it more potent in close-range engagements where it is intended to be most effective.
• Torbjörn
  
  • Molten Core
    
    • Damage increased from 130 to 160 per second
  • Developer Comments: While the Molten Core damage pools were intended to provide players with tools for area denial, they weren’t proving threatening enough to deter enemies for a significant amount of time because their damage was too low.

Bug Fixes

• General
  
  • Fixed a bug that prevented a landing exertion visual effect from playing when a hero impacted a slippery surface before landing
  • Fixed issues that could cause the client to miscalculate projectiles
  • Fixed an issue caused enemy players to appear to have jittery movement at framerates over 100
• Ashe
  
  • Fixed a bug that caused Ashe’s Dynamite to create a second small explosion visual effect a few moments after the first explosion
• Bastion
  
  • Fixed a bug that caused Bastion’s Tank mode treads to continue moving while stunned during Configuration: Tank
  • Fixed a bug that caused Bastion’s colored outline to include squares floating above him while in Configuration: Tank
• D.Va
  
  • Fixed a bug with the Lying Around Highlight Intro that caused Cruiser D.Va’s hair to clip into the mech
• McCree
  
  • Fixed a bug that caused McCree’s Deadeye’s animation and sound effects to play twice if it was canceled quickly
• Reinhardt
  
  • Fixed a bug that prevented Reinhardt’s Earthshatter from traveling over certain terrain
• Sombra
  
  • Fixed a bug that caused Sombra to hear the detect sound effect when entering stealth or teleporting
• Symmetra
  
  • Fixed a bug that caused additional sound effects to play while viewing Symmetra’s Creation victory pose in the Hero Gallery
  • Fixed a bug with Symmetra’s teleporter where it would play its self-destruct sound effects when viewed in the Hero Gallery
• Widowmaker
  
  • Fixed a bug that allowed Widowmaker’s Venom Mine to reveal enemy barriers through walls
• Maps
  
  • Fixed a bug that caused the Assemble Heroes countdown timer to remain at 29 seconds
• UI
  
  • Colorblind Options
    
    • Fixed a bug that caused a player’s UI to appear as the enemy color during FFA Deathmatch games
    • Fixed a bug that prevented colorblind set team colors from appearing on the tab and victory screens

[Thelxi]

I really like these changes. I though they were also nerfing the damage on Brig's stun, but it looks like they will just stick with the barrier nerf (for now). I think this is a good change as it allows her to still keep genjis and tracers in check while not letting her shit all over Rein anymore.

I'm a big fan of the DF nerfs too. Exactly what I wanted to be nerfed. His knockup was essentially a root that was too good of a CC that let him unload his combo too easily. Easily is relative of course as he is very hard to play, but this will make him even harder to play, which is good. The range on his slam was also ridiculous, so another good surgical nerf imo, that will also make him even harder to play. Have fun doomfist mains.

[Deleted]

Bastion can become the new soldier

[KCguy]

I really like these changes. I though they were also nerfing the damage on Brig's stun, but it looks like they will just stick with the barrier nerf (for now). I think this is a good change as it allows her to still keep genjis and tracers in check while not letting her shit all over Rein anymore.

I'm a big fan of the DF nerfs too. Exactly what I wanted to be nerfed. His knockup was essentially a root that was too good of a CC that let him unload his combo too easily. Easily is relative of course as he is very hard to play, but this will make him even harder to play, which is good. The range on his slam was also ridiculous, so another good surgical nerf imo, that will also make him even harder to play. Have fun doomfist mains.

Yeah. The DF nerfs are a welcome change. I can't play him worth beans, but if you can play him he's very OP. Finally. lol

[Frozen Death Knight]

I am honestly pretty baffled that Brigitte's Shield Bash was allowed to even go live as it was. When I got back to the game and tried to play Reinhardt, playing against Brigitte felt so crappy. Oh well, better late than never that they did something about the lack of proper counterplay.