PTR Patch 1.14.1.0

Long time, no see!

I have no excuse.

Sorry it’s been so long; I’ve been in the process of visiting with my boyfriend’s family and heading back home only to start playing Overwatch‘s Summer Games (which, if you are unaware they are going on, you should get on it! There are some incredible new skins and COMPETITIVE LUCIOBALL.)

I would have been sucked straight back into playing the Summer Games today, but I spotted some notifications that I, admittedly, should have seen earlier…

Deathmatch is on PTR servers!

What exactly is Deathmatch?

In Overwatch, Deathmatch is a game mode in which players compete to see who can get the highest kills. There are two versions of this game mode: 8 Player Free-For-All Deathmatch and Team Deathmatch.

I have played both, and can definitely say that they were enjoyable for me! (Once, I got to third place with McCree before the match ended!) I encourage any PC Overwatch player to try them both on the PTR. The 8 Player FFA Deathmatch mode allows you to play on…

Chateau Guillard

Chateau Guillard

That’s right! With Deathmatch comes the introduction of Chateau Guillard, the ancestral home of Amélie Lacroix, better known as the Talon operative Widowmaker. There are several hints to lore and nods to Widowmaker in general that I think are extremely interesting in this map. The room pictured below holds three pieces of information.

Easter Egg #1: The Laptop

The email on the screen reads:

Objet: Votre Reservation

Bonjour Madame Guillard,

Nous vous confirmons par ce message qu’une limousine vous attendra a l’aeroport Nice Côte d’Azur a 21 h 30.

La trajet entre Nice et Monaco devrait durer environ trente minutes. Vous pouvez evidemment modifier cette reservation a votre convenanve. Nous restons a votre entiere disposition pour toute autre demande.

(Google) Translation:

Object: Your Reservation

Good morning Madame Guillard,

We confirm with this message that a limousine will wait for you at Nice Côte d’Azur airport at 9:30 PM.

The journey between Nice and Monaco should last about thirty minutes. You can of course modify this reservation to your convenience. We remain at your disposal for any other request.

This can only be a nod to the most recent comic detailing Doomfist, which you can find here, as well as Widowmaker’s newest Summer Games skin, Côte d’Azur.

I absolutely love this skin.

Easter Egg #2: The Plane Ticket

The ticket says that someone under the name of Danielle Guillard is departing from, I believe, Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France and arriving at the Côte d’Azur airport in Nice, France. Danielle must be Widowmaker’s cover name, as Amélie is, I believe, officially thought missing or dead.

Easter Egg #3: The Wedding Photo

Widowmaker must be living in Chateau Guillard, since her laptop is there. So why would a picture of Gérard be there if she is only a ruthless killer?

Personally, I don’t think she is.

There have been many hints suggesting that Widowmaker not only remembers her old life, but regrets her past actions. This photograph is one of those hints: A memory of her wedding day. Here is a larger and brighter version, which you can also see in-game as one of Widowmaker’s sprays:

Yes, but what a shame, what a shame the poor groom’s bride is a MURDERER.

Another piece of information that makes me think Amélie regrets her actions is the Christmas comic. There is an image of Widowmaker standing beside Gérard’s grave:

So sad.

And there are voice lines in-game that show Amélie’s regret and anger about Gérard’s death, I think. Before the match begins, sometimes Widowmaker sighs and says the name of her deceased husband. Other times, if there is an Ana on the team, Ana will say that Gérard was a fool for loving Amélie. Widowmaker retorts immediately and harshly, accusing Ana of not knowing anything about Gérard.

There hasn’t been any concrete evidence that Widowmaker is breaking free from Talon’s mind-control effects, but this whole situation reminds me of a conversation in Captain America: Civil War (if you haven’t seen it yet, SKIP TO THE NEXT PICTURE!)

Captain America: “What you did all those years… It wasn’t you. You didn’t have a choice.”
Bucky: “I know. But I did it.”

Easter Egg #4: The Spider

This is just a cute little Easter Egg that I happened across while exploring the map; what a nice nod to Widowmaker!

What’s tha– Oh!

It’s a black widow. I see what you did there, Overwatch team!

Isn’t that cool? Now, onto the…

Hero Changes

Junkrat

• Concussion Mine
  • Junkrat can now hold two mines
• RIP-Tire
  • Tire’s movement speed has been increased by 30%
  • There is no longer a time limit when wall climbing

Developer Comments: Giving the Junkrat the ability to store two concussion mines adds some much-needed flexibility and versatility to his kit, particularly when using the mines for mobility. RIP-Tire’s damage has always been very good, but it was often difficult to steer the tire into position before it was destroyed. Increasing its speed will allow players to effectively detonate the tire more often and decrease the amount of time that Junkrat is vulnerable while controlling it.

Wooly’s Comments: To be honest, I’m very nervous that “flanking Junkrat” will become a thing, and I will be murdered by bombs only to have that little trash mouse fly away, cackling like a maniac. But I think it will be incredible for people who play Junkrat!

Orisa

• Fusion Driver
  • Projectile speed increased by 20%
• Protective Barrier
  • Barrier size increase by 20%
  • Barrier shape has been changed to allow for more coverage from enemies that are below the barrier

Developer Comments: The projectile speed increase helps Orisa’s consistency, especially at medium ranges (or further). Her barrier size has been increased to better protect her team, and the new shape makes the shield more effective when it’s used on slopes or on top of objects (such as a payload).

Wooly’s Comments: They’re trying really hard to make Orisa a good substitute for Reinhardt. And honestly I thought she was in a pretty decent spot already, so this is an interesting change!

Roadhog

• Take a Breather
  • Can now be used while moving
  • Damage taken while healing has been reduced by 50%

Developer Comments: These changes help Roadhog be much more aggressive when looking for hook targets or blocking for his team. The combination of these effects significantly increases Roadhog’s sustainability and survivability.

Wooly’s Comments: Overwatch devs, why, oh why do you do this to me? Roadhog will be beefier, and now he can move while healing (which honestly should have always been a thing). I am so scared.

Widowmaker

• Grappling Hook
  • Cooldown has been reduced from 12 seconds to 8
• Venom Mine
  • Affected targets are now visible through walls (to you as Widowmaker only)

Developer Comments: Widowmaker is extremely powerful in the right hands, but her abilities often felt a little weak. The Grappling Hook cooldown reduction means she is more likely to have it available when she needs to escape. Venom Mine is intended to be an early warning system, uncovering enemies that are attempting to flank her or her team. With this change, she can see enemies when they trigger the mine, even if they’re on the other side of a wall.

Wooly’s Comments: I think this change is awesome for Widowmaker! I have often said that I think her hook’s cooldown should be shorter, and my prayers have been answered! I think 8-10 seconds of cooldown on Grappling Hook is a good range.

Au Revoir!

Thanks so much for reading! Tell me what you think about the changes in the comments section below!

~ Wooly