'Overwatch' Update Patch Notes: New PTR patch, further changes to Ana, Roadhog and Sombra

It's pretty common for Overwatch patches introduced on the public test realm to go straight to the official game unchanged, but it looks like Blizzard is taking its time with the current PTR build. In a post on Blizzard's forums, Overwatch's principal designer, Geoff Goodman, revealed that the pending modifications to Ana, Roadhog and Sombra are getting tweaked a little bit more to find the right balance. 

Here's everything that's changing in the latest Overwatch update to the PTR.

Overwatch Update PTR Patch Notes: Ana nerfs, Sombra buffs, Roadhog hook improvements 

In response to some of the fan complaints surrounding Roadhog's nerfed hook, called "hook 2.0," the Overwatch team has made some additional tweaks to help it behave a little more reliably. For example, there was a GIF circulating on the Overwatch Reddit that showed a character easily avoiding Roadhog's hook by hiding behind incredibly small bits of cover, even with the majority of the character's body sticking out. The new changes will help Roadhog hook a partially covered target.

Here's the relevant part of the patch notes:

Roadhog Hook

There's also a new nerf to Ana's biotic grenade. The duration of the grenade is now four seconds, down from five. This nerf is in addition to the previous patch that reduced the healing boost the grenade provides to friendly targets.

The new PTR update also gives a pretty nice buff to Sombra's hack ability. It now has a cooldown of just eight seconds, down from 12. The previous PTR patch reduced the activation time for the ability to .8 seconds, down from one second.

The new PTR patch did not mitigate the nerfs to D.Va's health pool, even though that's something a lot of Overwatch fans have been vocal about. Whether Blizzard will adjust the modifications to her armor and health remains to be seen, but Mic will keep you updated if any further changes are made.

More Overwatch news and updates

For more on Overwatch, check out the rest of what Mic has to offer. Here is a full explanation of the different types of health in Overwatch, the latest rumor of a Terry Crews-voiced Overwatch character, an update on that Mei ice wall exploit, hilarious video of a play of the game involving the jump pad on Oasis, a roundup of the best Overwatch plays of the week, our definitive ranking of every Overwatch hero and a giant Overwatch FAQ for beginners.