:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53155015/Bastion_Overwatch_002.0.0.jpg)
A new update for Overwatch is now available in the game’s public test region on PC and with it comes promised buffs to one of the game’s most contentious heroes, Bastion. Those balance changes, which could evolve as Blizzard tests them in the PTR, are substantial.
“The goal of these changes is to move some of Bastion's power from Configuration: Sentry to Recon, while keeping its sentry mode a strong option, especially versus tanks and barriers,” Blizzard said in patch notes posted to the official Overwatch website. “Overall, Bastion should feel stronger and more flexible with these changes.”
Many of the changes affect Bastion’s turret-like Sentry configuration, which now grants him additional armor and requires less time to transform into. That’s balanced by a larger bullet spread and the removal of critical damage and headshot damage.
When walking around in his Recon configuration, Bastion will have a larger magazine and less bullet spread than he did before. Bastion’s self-repair skill now appears to be ... useful.
Here are the changes to Bastion in the PTR, which Blizzard hinted at last week:
Configuration: Sentry
Deploy time decreased from 1.5 seconds to 1.0 second
Bullet spread increased by 50 percent
Bullet spread is always at maximum (it no longer increases as the weapon is fired)
Magazine size increased from 200 to 300
Headshot damage multiplier has been removed
No longer deals critical damage
Configuration: Recon
Bullet spread decreased by 25 percent
Magazine size increased from 20 to 25
Configuration: Tank
No longer grants bonus armor
Self-Repair
Can now be used while moving
Now bound to secondary fire (formerly Ability 2)
No longer interrupted by taking damage
A new resource meter has been added that deplete while Self-Repair is active and recharges when not in use
New passive: Ironclad
Bastion takes 35% less damage while in Sentry or Tank configuration
The latest version of Overwatch on the PTR also has an important buff for Mercy:
While performing a resurrection, Mercy now becomes temporarily invulnerable along with the allies being revived
The patch also has some additional tweaks, including the option to adjust sensitivity for a number of heroes’ abilities. It also introduces the server browser and additions to Overwatch’s custom game types. Check out the full patch notes here.
