The next Overwatch patch notes have landed, with the February 11 update bringing experimental buffs to Orisa and Winston, while they are currently nerfing Reaper.
As with all tweaks in experimental mode, these are focus test changes that developers intend to use but want to see how they affect overall play in a safe environment.
While there aren’t many pressing issues that Bliz is addressing for an immediate balance change, there are a handful of heroes that they will see succeed more or tone down, based on how the game has evolved.
Of course, although there are some who will see Wrecking Ball absolutely nerfed in the ground, the studio will test a preliminary round of changes for the rolling hamster along with some characters who need some help.
Orisa and Winston buff

Blizzard is trying to make Orisa a more reliable tank in Overwatch.
Orisa got a fair buff. The Fortify capability “now prevents critical head shot damage while the effect is active”, giving the gait tank the ability to absorb much more damage.
The goal is to make Orisa’s presence in a match much more prominent, which is shortened by a few shots in the head when an engagement breaks out.
Along with CC immunity, community chief Josh Nash revealed that the devs want the heroes’ abilities to feel “more consistent in their defensive abilities.”

Winston will be more prepared to refuel in team matches with the changes.
Winston, like Reaper in this update, got a nerf and buff while generally being favorable to the character.
While his base armor is boosted from 100 to 150, the base’s health was reduced slightly from 400 to 350. Blizzard wants Winston to feel more “resistant” to high-velocity weapons, so they distribute only some of his stats.
Reaper’s shotgun weapon nerf

Reaper will be more prepared for extended battles with the February 11 update.
When we got back to Reaper, Hellfire Shotguns got most of the changes in that the damage per projectile was reduced by 1. However, his bullet spread was reduced from 8 to 6, which means he will be able to hit targets from a little further. distance.
This should both help and hurt Reaper, since his injury was reduced, but it gives players more opportunities in a match instead of being a bruise up close.
There are several changes to review on the February 11 Overwatch update, with permission from Blizzard, so take a look below for a complete overview.
Overwatch February 11 Patch Notes
EXPERIMENTAL HEALTH UPDATES
Next experiment begins! This time we hope to get feedback on some balance changes. We use 2-2-2 Role Queue rule sets so you can get a feel for how these balance changes can affect the live game.
COMPLETE UPDATES (EXPERIMENTAL ONLY)
Orisa
Strengthen
- Prevents critical damage to head shots while the effect is active
Developer Comments: This will make Fortify more reliable in preventing major outbreaks of incoming damage, and will help it feel more consistent as a defensive ability.
Reaper
Hellfire shotguns
- The spread decreased from 8 to 6
- Damage per projectile reduced from 7 to 6
Developer Comments: Reapers shotguns have high damage potential, but require close range or large targets to take full advantage of it. We experiment with smoothing this out by expanding the range where he can consistently handle damage while lowering the maximum damage for each shot.
Winston
General
- Base Armor / Health has been redistributed from 100/400 to 150/350
Developer Comments: With this change, Winston will be a little more resistant to high-speed shotguns, beams and weapons.
Wrecking Ball
Grappling Claw
- Knockback strength reduced 25%
Developer Comments: For how often it can occur, Wrecking Balls setbacks are potentially too severe. We reduce the distance that moves the enemy players to bring it more in line with other low cooling abilities.
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