Overwatch 2 Season 12 Patch Notes
Overwatch 2 has kicked off its 12th season, titled New Frontiers, bringing a wealth of new features and updates. Juno, a new Martian hero, joins the roster, adding a unique dynamic to the gameplay. The season also introduces Clash, an exciting new game mode, and comes with two new maps, Hanaoka and the Throne of Anubis, enhancing the players‘ experience.
Season 12 also includes significant changes to the competitive landscape. A complete reset of competitive ranks requires players to undertake new placement matches. The update brings various hero balance adjustments, system enhancements like the improved Avoid feature, and faster Flashpoint spawn boosts. These changes aim to create a more balanced and engaging play environment.
Overwatch 2 Season 12 Patch Notes – August 20, 2024
New Hero – Juno
A new Support hero, Juno, has arrived from Mars in Overwatch 2. Juno is equipped with a Mediblaster for healing and Pulsar Torpedoes for causing damage. The Hyper Ring ability allows her to increase team movement speed, enhancing both offense and defense. Juno's high mobility makes her adept at providing critical support wherever needed.
New Game Mode – Clash
Clash is a new core game mode featuring five capture points arranged in a linear path on a mirrored map. Players begin at the central objective, earning points by capturing specific areas. Each end objective offers additional points, and victory requires five total points. Clash is available in Quick Play, Competitive Play, and the Arcade with the new Hanaoka and Throne of Anubis maps.
New Map – Throne Of Anubis
The Throne of Anubis map introduces a setting full of ancient Egyptian themes. Hidden deep within temple grounds, the Throne of Anubis holds a significant and mysterious power. Players will have to navigate through quiet streets filled with historical charm and underlying tension.
Hero Mastery Updates
Hero Mastery courses for Pharah and Zarya are now available. Players can take on single-player challenges to perfect their skills and earn rewards. This limited-time event is available from August 20 to September 3, offering up to 22,500 Battle Pass XP.
General Updates
Avoid As Teammate
The Avoid List has been updated with new features.
- 15 avoid slots: 3 Pinned and 12 Recent.
- Pinned slots never expire.
- Recent slots expire after 7 days.
- The system refreshes the expiration time and offers a dedicated tab in the Social menu.
Spawn System Changes
Wave Respawn replaces Group Respawn.
- Default respawn time: 12 seconds.
- Overtime respawn time: 14 seconds.
- Wave Respawn is disabled in Overtime and specific end-of-track scenarios.
- Wave Respawn aims to make matches less one-sided.
Shop Updates
All skins can now be tried out in the practice range directly from the Hero Gallery or the Premium Shop.
Competitive Play Updates
Mid-Year Rank Reset
All players‘ competitive skill ranks are reset.
- Requires ten placement matches per role.
- Ranks reset every six months to reflect significant updates.
Predicted Rank
- Predicted Rank is now visible in all locations and helps determine group queuing times.
- Improves queue times after rank resets.
Hero Updates
Tank Heroes
D.Va
- The update focuses on balancing tanks to increase their effectiveness.
Hero Quality of Life Updates
Several heroes, particularly those with high mobility, are adjusted to provide a better gameplay experience. The focus is on balancing mobility with other in-game skills and effectiveness.
Map Updates
New maps are introduced, and existing maps receive updates to enhance gameplay. These changes aim to provide a fresh and balanced experience for all players.
Bug Fixes
A multitude of bugs have been addressed to provide a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience. These fixes touch on hero abilities, map issues, and general gameplay errors.
