Overwatch 2 Drops New Patch with Hero Tweaks and Stadium Hotfixes – May 2025 Update

Overwatch 2’s latest update arrived on May 1, 2025, bringing a wave of balance changes affecting ten heroes, including Kiriko, D.Va, Orisa, and Soldier: 76. The patch primarily targets the new Stadium mode, introduced with Season 16, which has already drawn major attention from the community.

What Is Stadium Mode?

Stadium is a best-of-seven, round-based mode that mirrors mechanics from tactical shooters like Counter-Strike 2. Players earn Stadium Cash each round and use it to buy upgrades and builds for their heroes. With this strategic structure comes the need for consistent tuning — and Blizzard is responding.

Key Hero Balance Changes

🛡️ Tank Heroes

D.Va

• Nano Cola™ Nitrous:Health: 25 (down from 50)
• Max Life increase: 5% (was 25%)
• Nano Boost duration: 4s (down from 8s)
• Busan Blaster:No longer generates Ultimate charge

Orisa

• Restorify: Healing per second down to 5% Max Life (from 10%)
• Solar Regenergy: Armor restoration reduced to 3% (was 5%)

Reinhardt

• Stadium Cash gain from damage/healing reduced by 13.64%

Zarya

• Lifelift: Particle Barrier scaling down to 50% of bonus Max Life
• Here to Spot You: Healing increased to 20% over 3s (from 15%)

🔫 Damage Heroes

Mei

• Coulder (ice ball form):Knockback frequency reduced by 60%
• Damage per knockback increased to 20 (from 10)
• Knockback distance increased

Reaper

• Stadium Cash gain reduced by 10%

Soldier: 76

• Stadium Cash gain reduced by 12.5%
• Rocket Visor: Duration trimmed to 0.5s (was 0.75s)
• Biotic Bullseye: Ammo restored on crits increased to 10% (up from 5%)

💉 Support Heroes

Kiriko

• Stadium Cash gain decreased by 16.67%

Juno

• Stadium Cash gain increased by 33.33%
• Cosmic Coolant: Cooldown per hit reduced to 0.5s
• PulStar Destroyers:Removed 15% Ability Power
• Added 10% Ability Lifesteal
• Solar Shielding: Ability Power now 15% (was 25%)

Lúcio

• Stadium Cash gain increased by 10%
• Crowd Pleaser: Healing now 150% of Crossfade (down from 200%)
• Megaphone: Amp It Up duration reduced to 15%
• Signature Shift: Projectile size increased to 80% (was 20%)
• B-Side Bop: Health boost increased to 50 (from 25)

⚙️ Developer Intentions & Future Plans

According to Blizzard, the goal of this hotfix is to eliminate frustrating mechanics, rebalance overperforming heroes, and bring underused powers back into viability. Future patches will continue evaluating underwhelming builds for possible buffs.

🚨 Stadium Challenges & Next Steps

While Stadium is a hit, it’s not without issues. Players report a high leaver rate and performance drops on older systems. Blizzard is actively monitoring feedback, and further optimizations are expected in upcoming updates.