Blizzard has released a new update for Overwatch on its Public Test Realm servers and it’s brought the much-awaited Symmetra rework to PC players. If you own the PC version, simply navigate to “Region” on the Battle.net launcher and download the “Public Test Region” build.
As for changes, Symmetra has definitely been made more viable. Her Photon Projector won’t lock onto targets but has an extended range (10 meters) and damage now ramps up to 180. Furthermore, hitting barriers causes the weapon to generate ammo. The Alternate Fire no longer pierces targets but instead explodes on contact, causing 60 Impact damage and 60 Explosive damage.
Symmetra’s turrets are now only three in number but can be thrown like projectiles. They deal increased damage, a stronger slowing effect and have more health. Teleporter is also a default ability, allowing Symmetra to set up an entrance in front of her and an exit up to 25 meters away. It lasts 10 seconds and has only 300 health but it’s now possible to send objects like Junkrat’s RIP-Tire or D.Va’s Self-Destruct through.
If that weren’t enough, Symmetra has a new Ultimate called Photon Barrier which creates a barrier that can cut off a large portion of the map. With 5000 Health, it’s pretty decent for walling off a ton of damage from the enemy team. What are your thoughts on the Symmetra changes? Let us know in the comments.
Symmetra
New Abilities
Photon Projector
- No longer locks onto targets
- Range increased to 10 meters
- Damage ramping now takes 2 seconds per damage level instead of 1 second
- Damage ramp increased from 30/60/120 to 60/120/180
- Now generates ammo instead of spending it when hitting a barrier
Alternate Fire
- No longer pierces targets
- Now explodes on contact
- Projectile speed increased
- Charge up speed increased
- Damage changed to 60 impact / 60 explosive
Sentry Turret
- Turret is now placed like a projectile instead of being set in place
- Can hold a max of 3, down from 6
- Can now deploy a max 3, down from 6
- Damage increased
- Amount of slowing effect increased
Teleporter
- Can now place the exit up to 25 meters away from Symmetra
- Entrance will automatically be built in front of Symmetra, rather than at her team’s spawn point
- Lasts 10 seconds
- Health lowered to 300
- More things can teleport through it (e.g. Junkrat’s RIP-Tire)
- Entrance can be destroyed
- If either the entrance or exit is destroyed, the other is removed
New Ultimate: Photon Barrier
- Deploys a barrier that is big enough to span and cut through an entire map
- Orientation can be changed by pressing the ultimate button again
- Has 5000 health
Developer Comments: The goal of these changes is to move Symmetra to her new damage role and make her more flexible and viable across more areas of the game than she was previously. Now that Symmetra is no longer a support hero, she is expected to be able to dish out heavy damage, and these changes allow for her to do so. She should be more powerful and interesting in more team compositions and maps, and she should also be stronger on offense and defense.
