Overwatch 2 May 8 Patch Brings Fresh Stadium Mode Balance Tweaks

Blizzard continues fine-tuning Overwatch 2's Stadium mode with a new May 8 patch focused on targeted hero adjustments and item tweaks. While smaller than the major May 1 update, these changes introduce impactful shifts—especially for D.Va, Lucio, and Ashe—and are expected to shake up build paths and team comps.

🔧 Key Takeaways:

• D.Va and Lucio receive mixed changes: some buffs, some nerfs—boosting flexibility and counterplay.
• Ashe gets notable buffs, enhancing her offensive potential.
• Minor but meaningful adjustments hit Junker Queen, Reinhardt, Moira, and general Stadium items.

Below is the full breakdown of hero and item updates:

🛡️ Tank Hero Changes

D.Va

• Countermeasures – PowerMitigation requirement lowered: 100 (from 150)
• Mastermind’s Mitigator – Rare Ability ItemDamage mitigation requirement reduced to 200 (from 300)
• Stat Boost – PowerDefense Matrix recovery rate increased to 125% (from 100%)
• Ultrawide Matrix – PowerDefense Matrix duration increased to 25% (from 20%)
• Multi-Task Mod – Epic Weapon Hero ItemWeapon Power boost increased to 20% (from 10%)
• Singijeon’s Pulse Plating – Epic Survival Hero ItemUltimate Charge gain raised to 10% (from 5%)
• Plot Armor – Rare Survival Hero ItemDamage reduced now contributes to Defense Matrix mitigation

Junker Queen

• Booming Voice – Epic Ability ItemAbility Power reduced to 15% (from 25%)
• Slicing Spree – Rare Survival ItemMove Speed reduced to 5% (from 10%)
• Move Speed near wounded enemies lowered to 5% (from 10%)
• Attack Speed near wounded enemies increased to 10% (from 5%)

Reinhardt

• Impact Burst – PowerBonus damage reduced to 15% (from 20%)
• Smashing – PowerMove Speed per stack decreased to 2% (from 3%)

Zarya

• Lifelift – PowerParticle Barrier health scaling reduced to 25% of bonus Max Life (from 50%)
• Pre-Workout – PowerLifesteal reduced to 15% of Energy (from 20%)

🔫 Damage Hero Changes

Ashe

• Head Honcho – PowerDamage boost per unscoped shot increased to 5% (from 3%)
• B.O.B. Jr. – PowerAttack Speed reduction lessened to 20% (from 50%)
• Infrared Lenses – Epic Ability Hero ItemFixed issue limiting Burning damage bonus to Viper & B.O.B.
• Now applies to all Ashe damage
• Burning damage bonus reduced to 20% (from 25%)

🩺 Support Hero Changes

Lucio

• Crowd Pleaser – PowerHealing scaled down to 100% of Crossfade (from 150%)
• Let’s Bounce – PowerWall Slam damage reduced to 25 (from 40)
• Knockback Increase reduced to 25% (from 30%)
• Sonic Boom – PowerHealing from damage increased to 30% (from 20%)
• Fast Forward – PowerDamage boost increased to 30% (from 25%)
• #1 Single – Rare Ability Hero ItemAbility Power reduced to 5% (from 10%)
• All Out Auditiva – Epic Ability Hero ItemAbility Power reduced to 15% (from 20%)
• Amp It Up duration reduced to 25% (from 33%)

Moira

• Precarious Potency – PowerBiotic Grasp healing boost increased to 25% (from 20%)
• Destruction’s Divide – PowerCoalescence toggle effectiveness boosted to 30% (from 25%)

🎒 General Stadium Item Adjustments

• Booster Jets – Epic Weapon ItemMove Speed penalty while using an ability reduced to 10% (from 20%)
• Nebula Conduit – Epic Survival Item

With another round of hero rebalances and item tuning, Stadium mode continues evolving rapidly. Players looking to optimize their builds or exploit shifting metas should dive in and start testing new setups.