Overwatch 2 Season 18 update patch notes bring Wuyang, progression overhaul & more
TheOverwatch 2 Season 18update is here, bringing with it a brand-new hero and a completely fresh progression system to track your performance.
After a successful hero trial,new Support character Wuyangfinally makes his full debut, as he looks to become the new go-to in that role. Progression is also getting an overhaul, with the addition of new levels, rewards, and theHero Skill Rating system in Competitive.
But this is only the tip of the iceberg, as the huge update includes a number of changes across the board, from a Perks shakeup and balancing changes to fresh Stadium maps. So, here are the full patch notes for Overwatch 2 Season 18.
When does OW2 Season 18 start?
Overwatch 2 Season 18 arrives onTuesday, July 28, 2025, with the update rolling out at11 AM PT/ 2 PM ET / 7 PM BST.
Full Overwatch 2 Season 18 patch notes
Check out the full patch notes below, as shared byBlizzard:
General Updates
Hero Progression Updates
Hero Progression 2.0 rebuilds the system from the ground up with faster leveling, smoother UI, and a permanent prestige system built to flex your grind. Earn animated Ascended borders at milestone levels, unlock Loot Boxes at key breakpoints, and track long-term growth with every Hero. If you’ve been putting in the hours, this is the system that finally shows it off.
Advanced Information Panel
Mouse and Keyboard for Consoles
Real-Time Text Moderation
First-Time User Experience
Competitive Play Updates
Hero Skill Rating
Skill Rank Reset
Competitive Rewards
Competitive Play New Player Requirements
Hero Updates
Developer Comments: Since Season 16, a notable bug has altered how damage reduction and armor interact. This fix restores their intended functionality and clarifies the rules moving forward.
In addition to balance changes for some of our heroes, every hero will be getting at least one new perk to help give options for more fun, impactful gameplay that aligns to the hero’s identity.
Heavy Rockets – Major Perk
Precision Fusion – Major Perk
Developer Comments: The change to Power Matrix aligns the perk with Doomfist’s regular Power Block, ensuring consistency in how Empowered Punch is charged.
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One-Two – Minor Perk
Seismic Empowerment – Major Perk
Aftershock – Major Perk
Power Matrix – Major Perk
Developer Comments: Jagged Wall was providing too much impact as a single ability, particularly in combination with the Reconstitution perk. Reducing its health and knockback damage lowers its overall value, while the Spike Guard change requires Hazard to be actively fighting to gain its ammo benefit.
Spike Guard – Secondary Fire
Jagged Wall – Ability 2
Off the Top – Minor Perk
Deep Leap – Minor Perk
Anarchic Zeal – Minor Perk
Reconstitution – Major Perk
Explosive Impalements – Major Perk
Junker Queen
Rending Recall – Minor Perk
Rampant Change – Minor Perk
Deep Wounds – Major Perk
Willy-Willy
Two Hearts – Minor Perk
Pyromaniac – Minor Perk
Heat Dissipator – Minor Perk
Fleeting Bulwark – Minor Perk
Defense Protocol – Minor Perk
Mobile Fortification – Minor Perk
Developer Comments: Ramattra has become too durable in Nemesis Form while blocking. The armor and Block adjustments reduce his ability to withstand large amounts of damage and force more deliberate defensive choices. The change to Ravenous Vortex removes the jarring stop in horizontal momentum, notably when paired with Vengeful Vortex.
Ravenous Vortex – Ability 2
Block (Nemesis Form) – Secondary Ability
Prolonged Barrier – Minor Perk
Relentless Form – Minor Perk
Crusader’s Resolve – Minor Perk
Barrier Re-Charge – Minor Perk
Crushing Victory – Major Perk
Ignited Fury – Major Perk
Developer Comments: Pig Pen was originally intended to give Roadhog more spatial presence on the battlefield, but in practice it reinforced his hook combo playstyle and limited his flexibility in engagements. To address this, we’ve restored the classic Primary and Secondary Fire on Scrap Gun, providing more consistent damage options and letting Roadhog better contest space on the front line. The Take a Breather adjustments have been successful, offering greater defensive uptime without excessive personal sustain, so its functionality remains the same, but it has been moved to Ability 2 with a default toggle and additional cancel options to keep that flexibility intact.
Scrap Gun – Primary Fire
Scrap Gun – Secondary Fire
Pig Pen – Ability 2
Take a Breather – Ability 2
Pent Up – Minor Perk
Shrapnel Launcher – Minor Perk
Hogdrogen Exposure – Major Perk
Pulled Pork – Major Perk.
Massive Impact – Minor Perk
Hyper Regeneration – Minor Perk
Short Circuit – Minor Perk
Barrier Toss – Minor Perk
Wrecking Ball
Transfer Efficiency – Major Perk
Adaptive Barrier – Major Perk
Graviton Crush – Minor Perk
Energy Converter – Minor Perk
Rapid Fire – Minor Perk
Remote Detonator – Minor Perk
Smart Bomb – Minor Perk
Configuration Reload – Minor Perk
Developer Comment: Recent weapon changes have made Cassidy a highly consistent threat. Reducing his health brings him more in line with other hitscan heroes.
Quick Draw – Minor Perk
Bang Bang – Minor Perk
Silver Bullet – Major Perk
Friendly Imaging – Minor Perk • Removed. Enhanced Duplication – Minor Perk
Focused Rush – Minor Perk
Partial Scan – Minor Perk
Full Salvo – Major Perk
Frost Bolts – Minor Perk
Tracking Instinct – Minor Perk
Hunters Instinct – Minor Perk
Momentum Boost – Minor Perk
Ready to Hunt – Major Perk
Aerial Recovery – Major Perk
Acrobatics – Minor Perk
Swift Cuts – Minor Perk
Blade Twisting – Major Perk
Swift Lunge – Minor Perk
Yamagami Technique – Major Perk
Scatter Arrows – Major Perk
Aluminum Frame – Minor Perk
Mine Recycling – Minor Perk
Tick Tock – Major Perk
Bomb Voyage – Major Perk
Biting Cold – Minor Perk
Permafrost – Minor Perk
Skating Rink – Minor Perk
Glacial Propulsion – Minor Perk
Concussive Implosion – Major Perk
Sky Spy – Major Perk
Death’s Shadow – Minor Perk
Shadow Blink – Minor Perk
Developer Comment: While Sojourn’s win rate is relatively low, she can still feel frustrating to play against. Lowering her health increases her vulnerability, but the slight mobility and primary fire improvements help offset the loss in survivability.
Railgun – Primary Fire
Power Slide – Ability 1
Extended Mag – Minor Perk
Deceleration Field – Minor Perk
Adhesive Siphon – Major Perk
Friction Generators – Major Perk
Soldier: 76
Field Emergency – Minor Perk
Tactical Salvo – Minor Perk
Stim Pack – Major Perk
White Hat – Major Perk
Adept Hacker – Major Perk
Advanced Teleportation – Minor Perk
Perfect Alignment – Minor Perk
Hovering Barrier – Major Perk
Craftsman – Minor Perk
Hammer Time – Minor Perk
Developer Comment: Tracer’s weapon improvements have increased her overall effectiveness. Extending Recall’s cooldown reduces her uptime, especially when paired with Major perks.
Recall – Ability 2
Blast From The Past – Minor Perk
Kinetic Reload – Minor Perk
Seismic Sense – Minor Perk
Deep Burrow – Minor Perk
SMART-R Excavator – Major Perk
SMART Extender – Major Perk
Widowmaker
Focused Aim – Minor Perk
Sniper’s Instinct – Minor Perk
Deadly Deux – Major Perk
Seeker Mine – Major Perk
Speed Serum – Minor Perk
Shrike – Major Perk
Biotic Bounce – Major Perk
Field Medicine – Minor Perk
Biotic Reloader – Minor Perk
Automated Healing – Minor Perk
Barrier Restoration – Minor Perk
Combat Medic – Minor Perk
Quick Fix – Major Perk
Inspring Strike – Major Perk
Solar Power – Major Perk
Solar Flare – Major Perk
Re-boots – Minor Perk
Locked On – Minor Perk
Master Blaster – Major Perk
Lift Off – Major Perk
Faster Blaster – Major Perk
Shuffling – Major Perk
Ready Step – Major Perk
Foxtrot – Major Perk
Lifeweaver
Developer Comment: Lifeweaver has received numerous buffs to improve his effectiveness, but his increased survivability has become difficult to deal with. This health reduction brings him in line with the rest of the support roster.
Life Cycle – Minor Perk
Lifeweaving – Minor Perk
Petal Power – Major Perk
Bass Blowout – Minor Perk
Soundwave Rider – Minor Perk
Winged Reach – Minor Perk
Divine Momentum – Minor Perk
Vanish – Minor Perk
Uprush – Minor Perk
Destruction’s Divide – Minor Perk
Ethical Nourishment – Minor Perk
Contamination – Major Perk
Reversal – Major Perk
Phantom Step – Major Perk
Developer Comments: Wuyang had a successful trial weekend as one of the top performing heroes across all platforms. Given his relatively strong standing, these adjustments are primarily targeted at gameplay-feel rather than raw damage and healing output. In particular, Rushing Torrent has been adjusted to help him reach high ground more easily, and Guardian Wave will now travel down tall ledges, which will help him support from those locations without having to give up positioning.
Rushing Torrent – Ability 1
Guardian Wave – Ability 2
Tidal Blast – Ultimate Ability
Developer Comments: Recent Harmony Orb buffs have allowed Zenyatta to charge Transcendence much faster. Increasing its cost helps balance the improved healing of the ultimate.
Transcendence – Ultimate Ability
Zenith Kick – Minor Perk
Transcendent Condemnation – Minor Perk
Duality – Major Perk
Dual Harmony – Major Perk
Introducing Stadium Quick Play
Stadium Quick Play is a faster, lighter Stadium mode with shorter match times, quicker item economy, backfill support, and Cross Play.
Payload Race pits both teams in a race to push their own payload to the finish on a symmetrical map.
New Stadium Maps
Stadium Competitive Play Updates
Stadium Competitive Play Draft
Draft Mode is a new way to play Stadium Competitive Play and gives teams the power to shape matchups from the start, adding strategy to the selection process and gives players a pre-match advantage, enabling smart counter-picks and better team coordination. We’re going to be seeing how well players enjoy playing Stadium Competitive Play this way throughout Season 18.
New Player Requirements
New Stadium Rewards
Stadium Competitive Play Grouping Restrictions
There are now grouping restrictions for Stadium Competitive Play that will help ensure more competitive integrity at the highest of tiers as players make their way up the ladder every season.
Leaver Compensation
Dynamic Stadium Point Adjustments
Loser Consolation
General Stadium Updates
Stadium Cash
Stadium Third-Person Camera Settings
Stadium Control Settings
Armory and Hero Build UI
Other Stadium Updates
Stadium Balance Updates
Developer Comments: D.Va’s Defense Matrix and Tokki Slam builds have been overperforming compared to other tank options, giving her too much consistency across different situations. We are tuning both down slightly to bring their effectiveness more in line with other tanks, ensuring healthier balance and more diverse build choices.
Tokki Slam – Power
Face Tanking – Power
Developer Comments: Time to sharpen the blade. Junker Queen’s axe has been stealing the spotlight for a while now, but we want her knife and blade build to cut in on the action too. With more enemies taking to the skies this season, this buff gives her the edge she needs to bring them crashing back down.
Merciless Magnetism – Power
Twist The Knife – Power
Blade Parade – Power
Cut ‘Em, Gracie! – Power
Royal Bullets – Power
Thrill of Battle – Power
Bigger Magnet – Rare Ability Hero Item
Developer Comments: Sigma is going through a series of balance updates aimed at smoothing out his overall performance. One of his toughest matchups has been against brawlers who can charge in and overwhelm him. This update is part of the ongoing improvements to give Sigma more tools to hold his ground and perform better in those high-pressure encounters.
Zero Gravity – Power
The Harness – Epic Ability Hero Item
Circuit Breaker – Power
Electro Cluster – Power
Lightning Rod – Power
Volatile Volt – Power
Lunar Leap – Power
Moon Landing – Power
Primal Punch – Power
Pocket Projector – Power
Surge Protector – Power
Tesla Field – Power
Primal Slam – Power
Thick Skin – Power
Current Convertor – Rare Weapon Hero Item
Deconstructor – Rare Weapon Hero Item
Gibraltar Generator – Epic Weapon Hero Item
Harold’s Glasses – Epic Weapon Hero Item
Zero-G Suit – Rare Ability Hero Item
Horizon Expander – Epic Ability Hero Item
Unstable Prototype – Epic Ability Hero Item
Lucheng Launchers – Epic Ability Hero Item
Winton – Common Survival Hero Item
Premium Peanut Butter – Rare Survival Hero Item
Smart-Armor – Rare Survival Hero Item
S.Pacearmor – Epic Survival Hero Item
Simian Supplements – Epic Survival Hero Item
Fortified Jump Pack – Epic Surival Hero Item
Developer Comments: Head Honcho has always been a bit of a gamble, high risk but not always high reward. With this update, we’re making it a safer pick that feels more consistently useful while keeping the overall power ceiling in check.
Head Honcho – Power
Early Detonation – Power
Developer Comments: Cassidy’s trusty six-shooter has always kept him sharp against fliers, but with the spicy Stadium powers, the skies have gotten downright unruly. This season, we’re giving Cassidy some upgrades to his weaker tricks so he can hold his own, keep his aim true, and remind everyone who’s the fastest draw in the West.
Sunrise – Power
Think Flasht – Power
Flash In The Pan – Power
Quick Draw – Power
Wanted Poster – Rare Survival Hero Item
Developer Comments: Freja continues to struggle at generating currency compared to other damage options. With the improved counterplay options in the Armory and the introduction of Draft, we are bumping up her currency generation from damage to help increase her consistency in Stadium.
Developer Comments: Based on our testing data, Mei was having a hard time dealing with fliers. This update gives her a new counter item to help level the playing field and give her a bit more edge against airborne enemies.
Coldspot – Rare Survival Hero Item
Evasive Maneuvers – Power
Extra Charge – Power
Launch Vector – Power
Blitz Barrage – Power
Carpet Bomb – Power
Recursion Battery – Power
Cyclic Salvo – Power
Fuel Depot – Power
Triple Volley – Power
Fuel Conversion – Power
Heat Seekers – Power
Speed Kills – Power
Blast Enhancer – Epic Weapon Hero Item
Precision Targeting – Epic Weapon Hero Item
Cairo Coolant – Rare Ability Hero Item
Overcharged Ordnance – Rare Ability Hero Item
Helix Inhibitor – Epic Ability Hero Item
Flight Plan – Rare Survival Hero Item
Tuned Turbines – Rare Survival Hero Item
Forward Shielding – Epic Survival Hero Item
Ana’s Aim Assist – Epic Survival Hero Item
Developer Comments: Live data shows that Ana currently earns the lowest average currency at late game. While her overall performance has improved, we want to ensure she has enough resources to make meaningful and strategic choices in the armory. This update should help boost her economy and open up more build paths.
Venomous – Power
Tranquilizer – Epic Ability Hero Item
Burst Aid – Power
Righteous Cleave – Power
Whirlwhip – Power
Optimizer – Power
Packstacker – Power
God Ray – Power
Maces to Faces – Power
Mender Bender – Power
Sköldkastning – Power
Lindholm Wall – Power
Aura Farming – Power
Consecrated Ground – Power
Omni-Boost – Rare Weapon Hero Item
Haste Paste – Rare Ability Hero Item
Chain Extender – Epic Ability Hero Item
Scavenged Steel – Epic Ability Hero Item
Mitzi’s Medicine – Epic Ability Hero Item
Squire’s Satchel – Rare Survival Hero Item
Valkyrian Core – Rare Survival Hero Item
Dragon’s Incinerator – Epic Survival Hero Item
Nullifier Neuroworks – Epic Survival Hero Item
Hardlight Weave – Epic Survival Hero Item
Developer Comments: Juno lost her blinky shoes, and her performance took a hit. While some players were happy to see her less airborne, it made it much harder for Juno to stay impactful. This buff helps her regain strength while making sure she doesn’t end up permanently zipping around the skies.
Orbital Alignment – Power
Blink Boosts – Power
Developer Comments: More dunking.
Beat Drop – Power
Developer Comments: Mercy has consistently been one of the top heroes in Stadium and hasn’t yet received any major updates. In this update we have a large suite of changes with the goal of adding more variety to how Mercy players can build. Most notably Crepusuclar Circle has been replaced. It has long been a dominant pick that made it very difficult to build any other way as well as being a pain point for Mercy’s opponents. However, we’ve added two new powers in its place. So, we hope you’ll enjoy exploring the new options. We’ve tried to make Ability Power builds and Caduceus Blaster builds more realistic with new Power interactions and updated itemization.
Triage Unit – Power
Crepuscular Circle – Power
Threads of Fate – Power
Battle Medic – Power
Serenity – Power
Protective Beam – Power
Tethered Tourniquet – Power
Supply Surge – Power
Glass Extra Full – Rare Weapon Hero Item.
Chain Evoker – Epic Survival Hero Item
Angelic Acrobatics – Epic Ability Hero Item
Blessed Boosters – Epic Ability Hero Item
General Items
Developer Comments: These general item changes are aimed at overall making you feel like you have more viable options to select within the Armory. We’re improving situational itemization in the common and rare tiers, particularly against fliers. We’re also adding some more survivability, particularly in some of the less popular rare items, so there’s more options for damage-oriented builds in the mid-game.
Ballistic Buffer – Common Survival General Item
Icarus Protocol – Rare Weapon General Item
Skyline Nanites – Rare Ability General Item
Electrolytes – Common Survival General Item
Field Rations – Common Survival General Item
First Aid Kit – Common Survival General Item
Stockpile – Rare Weapon General Item
Emergency Chip – Rare Weapon General Item
Technoleech – Rare Weapon General Item
Custom Stock – Rare Weapon General Item
Wrist Wraps – Rare Ability General Item
Junker Whatchamajig – Rare Ability General Item
Vitality Amplifier – Rare Ability General Item
Vishkar Condensor – Rare Survival General Item
Reinforced Titanium – Rare General Survival Item
Iron Eyes – Rare Survival General Item
Bloodbound – Rare Survival General Item
Crusader Hydraulics – Rare Survival General Item
Sonic Recharger – Epic Ability General Item
Overdrive Core – Epic Weapon General Item
Solider: 76
For more on Overwatch 2, be sure to check outwhen Maximilien’s Vault returns, as well as thecurrent player count.
