💖 Patch Notes May 20, 2025!

Hi heroes!! 🌟

The latest patch is here and it’s bringing a ton of exciting new content to Overwatch 2. With a fresh crossover, some major hero changes, and lots of Stadium tweaks, there’s plenty to keep you on your toes.

Let’s dive into the goodies~ 💌

🎮✨ Overwatch 2 x Street Fighter 6

ROUND ONE… FIGHT!! 👊🌈
Overwatch just tag-teamed with Street Fighter 6, and it’s basically the fanfic collab of our dreams. We’ve got eight dazzling new skins, emotes that’ll make your fists fly, and cosmetics that channel your inner fighter. Wanna unleash a Hadoken with Hanzo or Psycho Power up your way to victory?
This is your cue to choose your fighter and give the competition a stylish uppercut~ 💥🎮👘

🎮💖 Patch Notes Party! May 20, 2025 Update 💖🎮 - News - OverwatchCentral

💫 Dokiwatch? Mercy Weapon Skin💫

Mercy fans, rejoice! The Merciful Magitech Mercy weapon skin is here, and it’s a stunner. This Mythic skin takes Mercy’s classic Caduceus Staff and Blaster and reimagines them with a futuristic, magitech twist. The skin channels the spirit of Eleos, the Hamster of Benevolence, and brings a cool, radiant vibe to Mercy’s healing abilities. If you’re a Mercy main, this skin is a must.
It also seems to be linked to the Dokiwatch since Mercy has been teased as missing from the team. Maybe soon we can expect a skin for mercy to go with the beautiful staff!

Fair warning, getting this mythic skin may cause you to get distracted by Eleos cuteness and cause your team to die.

Prepare your sparkles~ 🌈🦋

🕰️ Classic Throwback – Overwatch 2020 Returns!

Grab your time machines, because we’re going back to October 2020! 💾
It’s the perfect chance to see how things have changed through time. Whether you’re a veteran returning to your roots or a newer player curious about the past, it’s a fun way to experience the game again.
This is a retro ride you do not wanna miss! 👾💖

🧠 Smarter Reports – You’re Heard!

Report trolls faster than you can blink~ now you get instant feedback if someone’s already been punished. It’s a tiny thing, but it is so satisfying to know that crime does not go unpunished! 💕

💪 Hero Updates – Buffs, Nerfs, and Snuggles

🌟 Hazard:
Our tanky beast gets a snappier climb and more lifesteal –!! 💚

Vault – Passive: Ledge climb animation time reduced from 0.6 to 0.4 seconds.
Anarchic Zeal – Major Perk: Lifesteal increased from 25% to 40%.

🔥 Reinhardt:
Fire Strike’s FASTER??! Zoom zoom smash! Also, don’t miss his Stadium adjustments—he’s getting tuned down a lil’ bit there, so go easy on the armor boy. 🛡️💥

Fire Strike – Ability 2:
- Projectile speed increased from 25 to 30 meters per second.
- Recovery time reduced from 0.63 to 0.45 seconds.

🌀 Freja:
She’s twirling into the Stadium AND getting nerfed a bit in core mode (no more air-dashing like a squirrel on caffeine). But her new powers?? Chef’s kiss! 🍃💘

Quick Dash: Cooldown increased from 3.5 to 4 seconds.

🍣 Genji:
Fewer shurikens, but zoomier! It’s like quality sushi—less is more (and more deadly). ⚡🍱

Shuriken – Primary and Secondary Fire:
- Ammo reduced from 30 to 24.
- Projectile speed increased from 60 to 75.

🏹 Hanzo:
Faster bow? Yes. Longer Sonic Hack? Yes. Still handsome? Always. 💘🧝‍♂️

Storm Bow – Primary Fire:
- Draw time reduced from 0.8 to 0.72 seconds.
Sonic Disruption – Minor Perk:
- Health pack hack time increased from 12 to 30 seconds.

🚀 Pharah:
Thrusters slowed down. Concussion reduced. You’ll need more than fireworks now! 🎆🙅‍♀️

Drift Thrusters – Minor Perk:
- Movement speed while using Barrage reduced by 20%.
Concussive Implosion – Major Perk:
- Distance pulled reduced by 50%.

💀 Reaper:
Smoother trigger = smoother death. Just what he needed to stay spooky. 🖤👻

Dire Triggers – Major Perk:
- Recovery reduced from 0.7 to 0.5 seconds.

👟 Soldier: 76:
Stim Pack is now on weapon swap! Simpler, cleaner, still speedy grandpa. 👴💥

Stim Pack – Major Perk:
- Anti-heal removed. Now deals 75 self-damage on use.
- Is now activated by using Weapon Swap.

🕵️‍♀️ Sombra:
Slower stealth means more chances to catch that sneaky hacker! 🕶️💣

Translocator – Ability 2:
- Fade in time increased from 0.15 to 0.3 seconds.
- Stealth reveal duration on taking damage increased from 1 to 1.3 seconds.

🎯 Widowmaker:
Spread shrinks! Damage goes up! And with better Venom Mine buffs, she’s finally more than a sniper waifu. 💋🔫

Widow’s Kiss – Primary Fire:
- Maximum spread reduced from 3 to 2 degrees.
- Damage increased from 13 to 14.
Deadly Deux:
- Venom Mine’s bonus damage increased from 50% to 100%.

🌞 Illari & 💐 Lifeweaver:
Both supports get some gentle love — longer beams for Illari and faster blossom charges for Lifeweaver. Healer hugs all around~ 💕🌱

Illari:
- Solar Rifle – Secondary Fire: Range increased from 15 to 20 meters.
Lifeweaver:
- Healing Blossom – Primary Fire: Auto-Charge rate increased by 25%.
- Superbloom – Major Perk: The number of hits to trigger reduced from 20 to 16.

We’re keeping the magic alive as we head into our jam-packed Midseason update! 🥳

In today’s blog, learn more about Freja joining Stadium, Mercy’s new Mythic Weapon Skin, our Street Fighter 6 collab, and the return of Overwatch Classic 🎉

✨ https://t.co/JhHRdFhhzH pic.twitter.com/gfXKp92g7K
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) May 20, 2025

🏟️ Stadium Hero Updates & Powers

Mercy Rule: Now triggers at a 10,000 cash difference! Less one-sided suffering, more gg fun! 💸🌈
Round Cash Buffs: Poorer rounds now get a little economic sparkly boost. Fair, and functional! ✨💰

Freja’s Debut in Stadium:
Okay okay pause — Freja just got like… a MILLION new Stadium powers and items. From “Cyclone” arrows to “Tourniquet” boots to scarf-speed buffs, she’s basically a stylish anime storm. 🌪️🧣🌟

(Seriously, it’s like opening a loot box and it’s ALL purple and gold~!!)

🛡️ Reinhardt – Stadium Tweaks

Due to core buffs, Stadium Reinhardt is being toned down slightly:

Smashing (Power):
- Move speed per stack 2% → 1%
- Life Steal per stack 5% → 3%
- Max stacks 5 → 10
- Duration 3s → 2s
To Me, My Friends!: Healing from max life 3% → 4%
Wilhelmwagen: Mitigated healing 15% → 5%
Rocket Strike (Epic Hero Item):
- Fire Strike speed bonus 50% → 25%
- Ability Power 20% → 10%
Chimera’s Maw: Ability Power 10% → 5%

🎯 Freja – Stadium Debut

Freja joins the Stadium roster with a storm of new powers and mods! Notables include:

🔋 New Powers

Cyclone – Wind meets precision

When you use Updraft, fire a Take Aim bolt at your crosshair. Instant air-pressure burst damage? Yes please.

Seekerpoint – Chase ’em down!

When a Take Aim bolt sticks an enemy, fire 3 additional crossbow shots at them automatically (dealing 66% reduced damage).

Seismic Shot – Bigger boom!

Take Aim explosion radius increased by 33%. Doubled if the bolt was stuck to a target.

Thread the Needle – Line ’em up!

Take Aim bolts now pierce enemies. Additional explosions after piercing deal 66% reduced damage.

Deep Pockets – Stay loaded

Using any ability restores 50% of your max ammo.

Forager – Sustain in the skies

For 2 seconds after using Quick Dash, Revdraw Crossbow hits heal you for 3% of your max life.

Peak Performance – Float like a falcon

While firing Revdraw Crossbow, your fall speed is reduced by 80%.

Redux – Cooldown management

Hitting enemies stuck by Take Aim or Bola Shot:
- Reduces cooldowns by 5%
- Refunds 1 ammo

Volley à Deux – Double shot drama

Every 5th Revdraw Crossbow shot fires 2 additional bolts in a spread (they deal 50% reduced damage).

Lille Fælde – Trap in the skies

After using Updraft, your next airborne Take Aim fires a Bola Shot instead of a normal explosive bolt (deals 60% reduced damage).

So Cooked – Lingering heat

Bola Shot’s damage zone now:
- Deals 50% more damage
- Lingers for 3 seconds
- Eliminations count toward Bounty Hunting

Mighty Gust – Airbender moment

Updraft sends a wind blast at your crosshair, knocking enemies back and dealing 40 ability damage

🎯 New Hero Items for Freja

🔫 Weapon Items

Tracker Tag (Rare)

+30% Max Ammo
Take Aim stick = +20% Attack Speed for 3 seconds

Slipstream Scarf (Rare)

+25 Health
+5% Weapon Power
+25% Quick Dash Distance

Portable Zipline (Epic)

+15% Weapon Power
Eliminations reset both Quick Dash charges

⚙️ Ability Items

Windwalker Boots (Rare)

+25 Health
+5% Cooldown Reduction
+20% Updraft Height

Magnetic Maelstrom (Epic)

+15% Ability Power
Bola Shot pulls in nearby enemies even when it misses

🧬 Survival Items

Hunter’s Mark (Rare)

+25 Health
Reveals enemies with 75+ Bounty within 40m
Eliminating them = +250 Stadium Cash

Aeroweave Cloak (Rare)

+25 Health
+100% Take Aim Slowed Momentum duration

Tourniquet (Rare)

+25 Health
After Updraft, reset Quick Dash and gain +50 Overhealth for 5s

Toxin Tips (Epic)

+50 Health
Take Aim bolts slow enemies by 30%
But now take 1 second longer to explode

🎯 Soldier: 76 – Stadium Nerf

Cratered (Power):
- Explosion damage bonus reduced 25% → 15%

New Midseason patch notes! 🚨

🦸 Heroes – Movement updates to Freja, Pharah, & Sombra
🏟️ Stadium – Mercy Rule updates, Item changes, & Freja added
🛠️ General – Player Report Tool will now instantly notify you if a reported player has already been actioned

📝… pic.twitter.com/2yvjxAoUvw
— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) May 20, 2025

🧰 Bug Fixes

General

Fixed an issue where challenges were not progressing when queued as a specific role.
Fixed a graphical error that caused flashing for certain heroes on consoles.

Heroes

💪 Doomfist

Fixed an issue where Doomfist was able to continue charging his punch through Sigma’s Accretion stun.

🌞 Illari

Fixed an issue where Illari’s Captive Sun Ultimate would not explode after a deflect.

👼Mercy

Fixed an issue where Mercy’s resurrect could complete in spawn if spawn timer was reached.

Stadium

Fixed an issue where Zarya’s Hybrid Battery item wouldn’t reset energy to 0 when sold.
Fixed a visual issue causing the Rank Progress bar to show incorrect Stadium Points after a match.
Fixed an issue with Competitive title rewards displaying the wrong role in stadium.
Fixed an issue with Zarya not working with Codebreaker item.
Fixed and issue where the mercy rule would activate inconsistently.
Fixed an issue with Mercy’s First Responder power.
Fixed an issue where the armory could load in an incomplete state.
Fixed an issue where the Better Together challenge was not tracking for D.VA players under certain conditions.
Fixed an issue where the Better Together challenge was not counting towards MVP or Star of the Show challenges.
Fixed an issue that occurs when Soldier uses the On Me power with both Vishkar Condenser and Vital-E-Tee mods together.
Fixed an issue that occurs when Junker Queen uses both the Reckoner’s Roar power and Cybervenom mod.
Fixed an issue that occurs when Ana uses both Comfy Cloud and Dreamy powers.
Fixed an issue that occurs when Mei uses both the Coulder power and Cybervenom mod.
Fixed an issue with Freja’s animation while holding down her secondary fire.
Fixed an issue with Mercy’s Equivalent Exchange mod and this has now been re-enabled.
Fixed an issue with Genji’s Deflect-O-Bot power and this has now been re-enabled.
Fixed an issue where Moira’s Empowering You power would not play hit markers when the buffed ally dealt damage.

🎁 Final Thoughts

This patch really brings it all: Arcade-style collabs, a new Mercy mythic, rebalanced heroes, Stadium chaos, and even a trip down memory lane with Classic. Whether you’re brawling in the Stadium or booping through King’s Row, there’s never been a better time to log in and play.

So grab your friends, and I’ll see you in the Stadium~ 🌸🎮💖