Summary
A newOverwatch 2hotfix has increased Hazard’s Ultimate cost and nerfed Sojourn’s damage, as well as the energy generation of her Disruptor Shot and Ultimate. This small balance update counters back some of the strength both heroes got inOverwatch 2Season 14.
On December 10,Overwatch 2began Season 14. As with most major content updates in the FPS, the season brought along a bunch of hero balance changes, including buffs to a bunch of heroes, such as an increase to Sojourn’s Railgun damage, and blanket powerups to nearly every part of Hazard’s kit with thetank hero’s introduction inOverwatch 2Season 14.
Now,Overwatch 2is dialing back a few numbers on these two heroes to balance out their previous buffs. A small hotfix that just went live increased Hazard’s Downpour cost by 13%, slowing the rate at which he can deploy his ultimate by a little bit. Sojourn received several nerfs to compensate for the increase to her Railgun damage in Season 14 – each shot of her primary fire now does one less damage, her Overclock ultimate generates 20 less energy per second, and her Disruptor shot no longer generates energy for her Railgun.
This newOverwatch 2hotfix is another example of Blizzard’s Rapid Balance Update tech, which it began experimenting with in Season 13. The new technology has allowedOverwatch 2to apply occasional balance update quick fixes outside its usual monthly season and mid-season patches.
Overwatch 2lead gameplay designer Alec Dawson provided some commentary on the current game state as of Season 14 along with this hotfix. Hazard allegedly landed on the “safe side of strong,” with this balance change, hoping to pull back on the one place where it saw him overperform. On the other hand, Sojourn’s previous buffs saw the hero on the rise, despite the nerfs to hitscan projectile sizes, which influenced the popularity ofOverwatch 2characters like Ashe, Cassidy, Reaper, and Widowmaker. Otherwise, Reinhardt, Mercy, Kiriko, and Ana are being played more often, while Orisa, Mauga, Roadhog, and Juno are becoming less popular.
The patch notes also make mention of replay codes not being wiped from this hotfix. This is becauseOverwatch 2is scheduling a bug fix on December 19 that will delete all existing replay codes from Season 14. Normally, this only occurs with major patches, so fans who want to preserve some of their recent gameplay highlights with Hazard, or any other clipssince the launch ofOverwatch 2Season 14 on December 10, will want to record their replays before the upcoming hotfix.
Overwatch 2 Season 14 Hotfix – July 03, 2025
Hotfix Balance Update
This is a hero balance hotfix. Replay codes from the Jul 07, 2025 patch are still available.
Overwatch 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Overwatch 2 is an always-on and ever-evolving free-to-play, team-based action game set in an optimistic future, where every match is the ultimate 5v5 battlefield brawl. Power up your railgun and disrupt the battlefield as Sojourn, or yield your axe and command attention as Junker Queen. Battle to take control of a robot and move it toward the enemy base in the new Push Mode. Bring the fight to new destinations across the globe in iconic locations like New York, Rome, Monte Carlo and Rio. Daily challenges and frequent updates mean there is always something new to play.
