New map Rialto and Hanzo rework is up

Overwatch’s new map payload is here with the Hanzo rework.

Blizzard announced earlier this week that the new patch will bring the Rialto (Venice-themed) map to PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. This map has been tested on the Overwatch PTR server since April 19, in addition, another version of the map also took place during the previous Overwatch Acives event (which ended on April 30).

Rialto will remain locked in Competitive Play “until the next patch comes out”. Players will be able to play this map in Quick play and Arcade, as well as custom games.

The update also balances out some of the heroes in the Rialto patch, with the biggest change being in Hanzo. Hanzo’s Scatter Arrow has been replaced with continuous firing arrows. Other balances include nerfs for Tracer and Brigitte, buffs for Lucio’s Wall Ride.

Update details:

Hanzo

Storm Bow

• Arrow flight speed increased from 85 to 100

Sonic Arrow

• Cooldown reduced from 20 seconds to 12 seconds
• Duration reduced from 10 seconds to 6 seconds
• Working range reduced from 10 meters to 7 meters

Lunge

• Pressing jump while in the air will jump sideways

Storm Arrows

• Replaced Scatter Arrow
• Hanzo can now shoot 6 arrows in a row. Although the damage is reduced, always shoot when the bowstring is at its most tense

Developer comments: The goal of the changes to Hanzo is to allow him to have new options while still dealing high damage, while removing the frustration of fighting the Scatter Arrow. Hanzo is now more flexible with his Lunge, combined with the increased arrow speed and the new Storm Arrow ability, he can now deal high damage continuously more than before.

Junkrat

Frag Launcher

• Projectile size reduced from 0.3 to 0.2

RIP-Tire

• Tire movement speed reduced from 13 to 12

Developer comments: These changes are intended to improve the fatigue of those who have to deal with Junkrat. Decreasing the size of the Frag Launcher means that Junkrat needs to aim a bit more carefully for the bullets to hit and slowing the Tire will give enemies more time to destroy it before it is detonated.

Lucio

Wall Ride

• Wall running is now less interrupted when running on the same surface
• Can now go through corners (both in the outer and inner corners) without having to leave the wall
• Can now land on the same side of the wall after jumping off the wall, as long as the jump is far enough away from the original jump position.

Soundwave

Developer comments: Wall Ride has been heavily modified to help work smoothly in more areas of the map. Lucio players will notice a huge improvement in Wall Ride when used. Also, Soundwave’s Sonic Amplifier doesn’t need a cooldown or the effect of running out of ammo, so Blizzard has decided to remove this element.

Tracer

Pulse Bomb

• Max damage reduced from 400 to 300

Developer comments: Pulse Bomb is too strong when used to deal with tanks, heroes easily stick Pulse Bomb on people due to their large size. The damage reduction will make this move no longer a “tank killer”, but still lethal to the vast majority of other heroes.

Genji

Deflect

• Hitbox size has been reduced

Developer comments: Genji’s Deflect hitbox is too big, sometimes it can even reflect projectiles that are quite far away from the character. We’ve shrunk the hitbox to solve this but still protect Genji from projectiles flying in front of him.

Brigitte

Shield Bash

• Cone angle reduced from 90 degrees to 60 degrees

Developer comments: When fighting Brigitte, Shield Bash always hits you even though you feel you have dodged it. In the opposite direction, when playing Brigitte, you sometimes hit the wrong object in the match. With the cone angle reduced, this skill will become more accurate to its graphic side.”

While Overwatch has a lot of balance changes, they probably won’t see the meta affected much. The Hanzo rework will have the most impact on the game, and there’s a good chance we’ll see a lot of Hanzo in the game. Meanwhile, Brigtte’s nerf wasn’t large enough to reduce her presence in the meta. What are your thoughts on these balance changes?