Overwatch 2 Introduces Significant Hero Balancing in March 2025 Update

Blizzard has released a new Overwatch 2 update with major balance changes and gameplay tweaks. This mid-season patch, launched on March 25, 2025, adjusts hero abilities across both 5v5 and 6v6 game modes. Additionally, it follows the recent collaboration with K-pop group LE SSERAFIM, introducing exclusive hero skins and in-game challenges.

Meta Shift and Hero Adjustments

The latest balance update brings changes to 11 heroes, especially tanks like Mauga and Roadhog.

Mauga’s defenses have been weakened:

• Cardiac Overdrive no longer gives allies damage resistance.
• Cage Fight Ultimate now costs 8% more to activate, and its barriers have been reduced from 1500 HP to 1200 HP.
• Berserker Passive now converts only 40% of Overhealth instead of 50%.

Roadhog, however, has had a couple of improvements. His Take a Breather skill now heals for 450 HP, up from 400 HP, and his Ultimate, Whole Hog, has been reduced in cost by 12%. Winston too has suffered from this patch, with his Primal Rage Ultimate now costing 10% more charge to use.

Zarya got a small buff her Energy now drains slower, from 2 to 2.5 per second, letting her deal more damage for longer.

DPS and Support Heroes Tweaked

Several damage-dealing heroes have undergone adjustments. Cassidy’s Peacekeeper primary fire now has an increased falloff range of 25 meters instead of 20, while his secondary fire damage has been boosted from 45 to 50. Echo’s base health has been reduced from 225 to 150, but her shield health has been increased to 75, redistributing her survivability.

Sojourn's Power Slide ability has been mildly nerfed by its cooldown time being increased to 8 seconds and its highest duration being reduced from 1.2 to 1 second. In contrast, Widowmaker's health has been increased from 200 to 225 HP, making her more durable in fights.

Support heroes Ana and Juno have been altered as well. Ana's Biotic Grenade cooldown has been increased from 12 to 14 seconds in non-6v6 modes and from 10 to 12 seconds in 6v6. Her self-applied Nano Boost duration has been reduced from 8 to 6 seconds as well.  Juno’s Orbital Ray Ultimate now requires 10% more charge to activate.

As the players get used to these changes, Blizzard has also teased further modifications on their way with Season 16, including the much-awaited entry of new hero Freja. During Season 15, players can find Freja teasers embedded in several of the in-game maps, generating hype for her launch.

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As Blizzard continues to improve Overwatch 2's gameplay, more balance updates and improvements will be expected from the game in the coming seasons. Meanwhile, the March 2025 patch will redefine the existing meta, making players experiment with their most beloved heroes in new and competitive strategies.