Overwatch 2 Season 9 introduces the largest-ever changes since the release of the game, and players are having wildly mixed reactions, with a certain subset of the player base really enjoying the new changes.
For those of you who haven't kept up, Overwatch 2 Season 9 has introduced lots of changes the players were recently concerned about, as they'd make the game too easy.
One player said, "My first game of the season was a close match. Like both teams were on even skill levels and there was an actual competition between them. I won, and it felt like I earned the win."
This sentiment was echoed by many other users who felt that the changes encouraged healthier practices for the macro and positioning that made the game more engaging. Gone are the days of stacking heals and face-tanking everything that comes your way. Fights tend to be a lot closer and more competitive, especially in low elo.
One of the biggest complaints players had was the fact that most games feel too one-sided for either side to have fun. With the new meta, there's a lot more survivability and consistency in your DPS, so there's more room for mistakes on both sides. This patch was aimed to improve the experience in low elo, and it seems to be doing a great job with that.
The Overwatch 2 tier list has been turned over its head due to these changes, and some powerhouses have dropped several ranks, while others have become raid bosses. Zenyatta, in particular, continues to terrorise the 5v5, and everyone is collectively upset at how unfair he feels.
Of course, this isn't to say that the patch isn't without its fair share of criticisms. You'll find that sentiment echoed everywhere, with a lot of it justified due to the dozens of bugs that have arrived. Tank players, in particular, feel quite hurt over the whole healcut passive for DPS characters mechanic, as they now have to rely on cover.
Another major point of contention has to do with the skill level required to do well on heroes dropping. Pulling off sick plays no longer feels as satisfying to some people who dedicated hundreds of hours to mastering their characters. Hanzo's arrows no longer guarantee one-shots, and aiming is generally easier across the board.
Support mains, in particular, still feel weak as their DPS isn't sufficient, and healbotting is no longer an option. Moira feels stronger than ever though. These changes reflect a new approach for the overall Overwatch 2 experience and seem to be receiving a decent response on the macro level. However, individual heroes require a lot more balance changes to feel good.
Here's an interesting list of the most common sentiments for each hero in season 9 a Reddit user compiled recently.