Overwatch's Next PTR Will Have "Significant Character Changes," but Not Symmetra

[Steven Bogos]

Overwatch's Next PTR Will Have "Significant Character Changes," but Not Symmetra

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The next Public Test Realm patch for Overwatch will have much more significant changes than we've seen in the past.

I've got some good news and bad news for Overwatch fans today. Blizzard's Geoff Goodman commented on the official forums [http://us.battle.net/forums/en/overwatch/topic/20749877229] with a breakdown of the game's upcoming Public Test Realm patch aims, and says that this time around, the changes will be much more significant. But unfortunately for Symmetra mains who have been patiently awaiting her long-overdue buff, her rework will not be included.

"This time around, the PTR is likely to be around a bit longer than before, so we're taking this opportunity to try out some more significant hero changes, and the push more significant iterations throughout this PTR cycle," said Goodman.

"One quick note, since I already know this will come up. There aren't any Symmetra changes for this patch. Her changes ended up being much more significant and require more time to finish up, but shes feeling pretty great internally so hopefully we can get her out there pretty soon," he added.

Goodman stressed that unlike other PTR cycles, this time it is very unlikely it will make it through unchanged.

It looks like Blizzard wants to experiment with some big, sweeping changes, rather than smaller tweaks. I'm sad that Symmetra isn't getting the love she so desperately needs though. I love her character but in the current meta, she is really only ever useful on the first point of defense in assault maps.

Source: Blizzard [http://us.battle.net/forums/en/overwatch/topic/20749877229]

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[Gutsripper]

Bloody hell, they keep changing stats so much it could make your head spin.

 

[Aeshi]

I wish they'd at least given us a hint as to who they're changing and how.

 

[Atratzu]

Symmetra is definitely overdue for some buffs, but I never know how I feel about the updates. Generally I'm not hardcore enough to notice tweaks one way or another, I tend to play everything "fine". I guess that's the lament of the "mediocre gamer", I'm okay at most character, not amazing at just one.

 

[RedDeadFred]

I wish they'd at least given us a hint as to who they're changing and how.

Here you go:
http://us.battle.net/forums/en/overwatch/topic/20749857162
Keep in mind that they're being a lot more experimental wit this PTR update, so it's unlikely that all of this will make it to the live game.

 

[Denamic]

Symmetra is in a weird place right now. Played as a logistics support that lays traps and teleports, she'll be almost entirely passive, only lobbing balls from long range to build charge. On the other hand, she's a powerful tank killer with insane DPS once her gun is fully charged. She'll do 120 DPS which you can't dodge or reflect. She puts reaper and tracer to shame. However, she's squishy and too immobile and will die too quickly to really be effective in a melee.

No matter how you play her, she doesn't quite measure up to a more specialised character. For now, she's a portal slave and only really useful on the first line of defense.

I think she'll get a more DPS or defense oriented overhaul, and move away from being a support.