Overwatch 2 patch notes: Mystery Heroes Role Queue, Competitive Drives, and more

Amy Chen

Amy Chen

This mid-season update features a crossover event, Mystery Heroes Role Queue, and more.

The latest Overwatch 2 patch notes are now live. This Season 12 update launches the game into its mid-season and features the Overwatch 2 x World of Warcraft crossover, the Role Queue Mystery Heroes game mode, details about Competitive Drives, map updates, plus a slew of balance adjustments.

Overwatch 2 patch notes: September 17, 2024

This patch brings in the Overwatch 2 x World of Warcraft crossover event alongside the legendary Lich King Reinhardt, Sylvanas Windrunner, Thrall Zenyatta, and Diamond Magni Torbjorn skins. According to Blizzard, the event itself goes on until Sept. 30.

Overwatch 2 World of Warcraft event schedule (Image via esports.gg)
Overwatch 2 World of Warcraft event schedule (Image via esports.gg)

However, the game itself states that the event ends on Oct. 1. It's likely the latter date since Overwatch 2 changes typically go live on Tuesdays.

Mystery Heroes Role Queue in Overwatch 2 (Image via esports.gg)
Mystery Heroes Role Queue in Overwatch 2 (Image via esports.gg)

Overwatch 2 gets Mystery Heroes Role Queue

Next, the Mystery Heroes Role Queue is now in Overwatch 2 as a new type of Mystery Heroes game mode. Instead of getting assigned a completely random hero when you jump into the fray, you can queue up for a specific role instead.

OW2 patch notes: Competitive Drives

Overwatch 2's mid-season patch notes also go into Competitive Drives. These are limited-time events that happen in Competitive Play Role Queue. Completing these Drives means bonus Competitive Points and signatures. Signatures refer to new in-game cosmetics that make your name pop. Note that signatures are removed after a rank reset as well.

Competitive Drives in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)
Competitive Drives in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard Entertainment)

When you win matches, you get points that progress toward checkpoints. Here are the Competitive Drive checkpoint awards:

  1. 500 Competitive Points
  2. Signature
  3. 1000 Competitive Points
  4. Advanced signature
  5. 500 Competitive Points
  6. Elite signature
Hanaoka is a Clash map in Overwatch 2 (Image via esports.gg)
Hanaoka is a Clash map in Overwatch 2 (Image via esports.gg)

Flashpoint and Clash map changes

In terms of the map adjustments, Flashpoint spawn rooms now have a longer speed boost. Instead of 1 second, it's now 2 seconds.

Meanwhile, Clash's Fast Respawn feature is now removed after capturing a point. "Respawn times for defenders get reduced by 2 seconds for each segment the attackers secure in the final capture zone," Blizzard added.

Today's Overwatch 2 patch notes include D.Va and other tank updates (Image via esports.gg)
Today's Overwatch 2 patch notes include D.Va and other tank updates (Image via esports.gg)

OW2 patch notes today

  • General
    • Armor flat damage reduction decreased from 10 to 7 per impact.
  • Tanks
    • Knockback resistance reduced from 40% to 25%.
  • D.Va
    • Mech armor health reduced from 375 to 325.
    • Mech base health increased from 200 to 225.
  • Orisa
    • Fortify: Movement speed penalty reduced from 20% to 10%.
  • Roadhog
    • Take a Breather: Resource regeneration rate increased from 8 to 10 per second.
  • Sigma
    • Hyperspheres: Impact damage reduced from 25 to 15. Explosion damage increased from 30 to 40. No longer deals damage to self.
  • Bastion
    • Configuration: Assault: Spread reduced from 2.2 to 2 degrees.
    • Configuration: Artillery: Ultimate cost reduced by 12%.
  • Cassidy
    • Flashbang: Hinder duration reduced from 1.2 to 0.9 seconds. Explosion damage increased from 45 to 75.
    • Deadeye: Ultimate cost reduced by 10%.
  • Hanzo
    • Storm Bow: Normal arrows are no longer affected by global projectile size increases. Maximum damage increased from 120 to 125. Time to fully charge increased from 0.72 to 0.87 seconds.
  • Venture
    • Explorer's Resolve: Shield health gained per ability reduced from 40 to 30.
  • Moira
    • Coalescence: Damage per second increased from 70 to 85.
  • Lifeweaver
    • Thorn Volley: Maximum ammo increased from 80 to 100.
  • Zenyatta
    • Destruction Orb: Damage increased from 48 to 50.
    • Orb of Discord: Cooldown per target reduced from 7 to 6 seconds.

Above are the patch notes for the different heroes — courtesy of Blizzard. The details and reasoning behind all of them can be found on Blizzard's official website.

That's all for now. Stick around on esports.gg for more Overwatch 2 news and updates!