Overwatch 2 Season 13 balance update might upset the ongoing Hero meta, here's why

Overwatch 2's much-awaited Season 13 is now here, but there are a few new changes that tweak the way the game is played. In the previous seasons, Blizzard faced multiple setbacks due to tonnes of unbalanced changes in the server. To fix this, the latest Overwatch 2 Season 13 patch has addressed several Hero changes, which might change the way you traditionally play some characters, especially Ramattra and Sombra.

Keeping that in mind, this article will explore those pivotal changes and explain how it’s different from the previous seasons.

Note: The article is completely subjective and solely reflects the author’s opinions.

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Why will Overwatch 2 Season 13 balance update upset the ongoing Hero meta?

If you take a good look at the Overwatch 2 Season 13 Hero balance changes, you can get an idea of why it might upset the ongoing Hero meta. While Heroes like Mauga, Sojourn, Hanzo, and Baptiste got some minor buffs in the latest patch, a few meta Agents like Ramattra, Sombra, and Juno were hit with major nerfs. Additionally, It might surely change the current meta of the new season.

Ramattra nerf

Ramattra in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard)

The Ramattra nerf in the Season 13 update will significantly affect his playstyle. The Null sector commander was one of the very few direct counters to Reinhardt, as he could pierce through Rein’s shield in his Omnic form. However, he can no longer damage through the barrier.

On the flip side, Ramattra can now break any kind of barrier by inflicting 2.5 times more damage. As a result, instead of inflicting direct damage to shield characters, especially Reinhardt, he can help break the shields quickly. However, there's a downside to it.

While earlier Ramattra could easily provide damage through any Hero barriers, including Brigitte, Reinhardt, and Sigma, the aforementioned change will make Ramattra more vulnerable and reduce his damage output. This nerf might lead to a huge negative effect on the Hero’s pick rate.

Moreover, this will encourage other shield opponents to use their barriers to counter Ramattra's pummel attacks while their DPS heroes shoot down the vulnerable null sector lord.

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Sombra balance

Sombra in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard)

Overwatch 2 Season 12’s top-tier DPS Hero Sombra has received a huge nerf. The Mexican hacker lost her passive stealth ability; she can only use her stealth for 5 seconds after using her translocator to a certain location.

It means you can’t make cheeky plays anymore where you could catch solo vulnerable Heroes like Ana, Baptiste, and Soldier76, who prefer to inflict heals or damages from a distance. Sombra players need to be more careful with their plays and most likely seek cover like traditional flank Heroes.

On the flip side, Overwatch developers have buffed Sombra's damage abilities, enabling her to provide 20% more damage to hacked targets. Moreover, her “Opportunist” ability enables her to see critically injured targets, helping her take down extremely vulnerable opponents quickly.

If you’re a Sombra main, you must change your approach with her and seek more safe spots to keep yourself invulnerable to Tanks or other DPS Heroes. As a result, we might not see Sombra dominate the meta like she did the previous two seasons.

DPS players might lean towards Sojourn or Hanzo as they have buffs. While Sojourn's damage per second was increased from 60 to 80, Hanzo's HP was increased from 225 to 250.

You might be interested in: Ovw 2 Season 13: All Battlepass skin

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Juno nerf

Juno in Overwatch 2 (Image via Blizzard)

Juno's balances might disappoint you as we believe the Martian support will be extremely vulnerable after this change.

Since Juno’s damage falloff range and healing per projectile have reduced quite a bit, you can no longer heal or damage from a mid or long-range distance. You must play close range and be in a risky position to have an impact inside the arena.

Juno was already quite vulnerable to hitscan Heroes, thanks to their tracking abilities. However, this change will surely make her extremely vulnerable.

Moreover, it might lower her pick rate. As a result, we might see significant changes in the current Support meta where players would lean towards other characters, especially Baptiste due to his 30% recoil reduction buff.

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For more news related to Season 13, check out more articles from Sportskeeda’s Overwatch 2 page.