Overwatch 2 Mid-Season 18 Update – Patch Notes

Blizzard has rolled out the mid-season update for Overwatch 2 Season 18, bringing Tracer to Stadium, new events, major hero balance changes, and quality-of-life improvements. This update is live now and sets the stage for an action-packed second half of the season.

⚡ Key Highlights

• Tracer joins Stadium – bringing speed, precision, and new meta-shifting powers.
• Two limited-time events:Overwatch 2 x Persona 5 Crossover – Phantom Thief skins, UI themes, and challenges (Sept 16–29).
• Overwatch 2 Anniversary 2025 – rotating fan-favorite LTMs, loot, skins, and Mythic Prisms (Sept 16–Oct 13).
• Hero updates & balance changes – buffs for Ramattra, Roadhog, Torbjörn, Widowmaker, and Brigitte; nerfs for Hazard, Wrecking Ball, Genji, Hanzo, Tracer, Lucio, and Wuyang.
• Competitive Leaver Compensation – reduced rank losses when teammates leave, applied to Core Competitive Play.
• Custom Games & AI Bots in Stadium – advanced rule customization plus bot integration for more flexible play.

Event Details

Overwatch 2 x Phantom Thieves

A stylish crossover featuring Phantom Thief skins, UI themes, neon aesthetics, and hidden map secrets. Runs Sept 16–29, 2025.

🎉 Anniversary 2025 Celebration

Weekly throwbacks to Overwatch history with rotating LTMs like Mirrorwatch, Junk’s Lab, and Classic metas, plus rewards:

• Week 1: Mischief & Magic + Launch Meta → Epic & Legendary Loot Boxes, Lifeweaver skin.
• Week 2: Mirrorwatch + Moth Meta → Loot Boxes, weapon charms.
• Week 3: Totally Normalwatch + Goats Meta → Legendary Loot Box, sprays, icons.
• Week 4: Junkenstein’s Lab + Golden Meta → Mythic Prisms, souvenirs, XP bonuses.

⚔️ Hero Balance Updates

Tanks

• Hazard – Damage reduction lowered; Violent Leap damage reduced.
• Ramattra – Bonus armor increased.
• Roadhog – Scrap Gun critical multiplier buffed; Take a Breather regenerates faster.
• Wrecking Ball – Ammo and Minefield duration reduced.
• Orisa (Stadium) – Stronger Scorched Earth and barriers; tougher Supercharger.
• Sigma (Stadium) – Powers and items reworked for more impact.

Damage

• Genji – Deflect cooldown increased.
• Hanzo – Storm Arrows normalized.
• Torbjörn – Overload duration and Molten Core DPS increased.
• Tracer – Added to Stadium with multiple new powers, passives, and custom item options.
• Widowmaker – Grappling Hook cooldown reduced; Venom Mine damage buffed.
• Mei (Stadium) – Slowball crits now apply stronger slow effects.

Support

• Brigitte – Shield Bash damage increased.
• Lucio – Projectile damage slightly reduced.
• Wuyang – Rushing Torrent cooldown increased; Guardian Wave duration reduced.
• Juno (Stadium) – PulStar Destroyers buffed.
• Kiriko (Stadium) – Donut Delivery and Talisman of Life tuned down.

Stadium Updates

• Custom Game Builder 🛠️ – expand rules, adjust round length, cash flow, item scaling, and more.
• AI Bot Integration 🤖 – bots now function across all Stadium modes, including Payload Race.
• New Lobby Options – hero draft, bans, mirror match toggles.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed missing Social tab options, loot issues, mislabeled skins, and incorrect regional store prices.
• Hero-specific fixes for D.Va, Venture, Wuyang, Junkrat, Moira, Orisa, Pharah, Soldier: 76.
• Stadium fixes for reward errors, rank convergence issues, and unintended damage/visual bugs.

📅 Timeline

• Mid-Season Update Live Now (Sept 16, 2025)
• Anniversary Event Ends – Oct 13
• Season 18 Ends – Oct 14 (shorter than usual, likely adjusted for holidays)