Importance Score: 30 / 100 🔵
For April Fools’ Day, many video game developers often resort to humorous social media posts showcasing improbable announcements like fictional dating simulators or products with no intention of actual release. Overwatch 2, however, has amplified this tradition by introducing a complete, playable game mode that intensifies each hero to their most unrestrained and disorderly state. This yearly custom implements such drastic alterations to game balance that it could trigger a ‘fight or flight’ response even in veteran esports competitors.
Totally Normalwatch: Overwatch 2’s April Fools’ Game Mode
The “Totally Normalwatch” mode is accessible within the Arcade menu until April 14. This limited-time event features an array of comical modifications, such as Hanzo now capable of riding Orisa into combat, Ashe‘s robotic companion B.O.B. relinquishing his minigun to relentlessly pursue adversaries across the map, and Moira‘s healing abilities being entirely converted into damage-dealing attacks. These examples merely scratch the surface of the extensive modifications applied to all 42 heroes within the Overwatch 2 roster.
Previous April Fools’ Jokes in Overwatch
In prior years, Overwatch April Fools’ pranks have encompassed amusing alterations like shrinking Mauga, a tank hero typically towering over others, to a mere foot in height, or adding humorous voice lines to every hero’s Ultimate ability activations. Intriguingly, a review of past April Fools’ patch notes reveals that some joke balance adjustments have transitioned into the core game through the revised Perks system, which modifies various abilities during matches. Consequently, there’s a possibility that certain changes introduced this year might also materialize in the standard game in the future.
Overwatch 2 “Totally Normalwatch” Patch Notes
The comprehensive patch notes for the “Totally Normalwatch” mode are detailed below:
D.Va
Developer Comments
The Meka Squad is facing significant challenges against the Gwishin Omnics, prompting experimentation with new designs aimed at conserving materials and resources.
- Mech Size reduced by 50%.
- Mech Base Health reduced from 375 to 25.
- Mech Armor Health remains unchanged.
- Pilot D.Va size reduced by 50%.
- Pilot Base Health reduced from 175 to 25.
Fusion Cannon
- Rate of fire increased by 100%.
Light Gun
- Rate of Fire increased by 100%.
- Reload Speed increased by 25%.
- Damage reduced by 25%.
Self-Destruct
- Press Interact during Self-Destruct to freeze mech in place.
Doomfist
Developer Comment
Doomfist has determined that the optimal strategy for victory involves punching opponents… repeatedly.
Hand Cannon
- Removed from Primary Fire.
Quick Melee
- Replaces Hand Cannon as the Primary Fire.
- Melee speed increased by 50%.
- Melee damage increased by 50%.
- Doomfist now lunges toward nearby enemies when he melees.
Rocket Punch
- Melee damage now builds Rocket Punch Charge meter.
- Charge meter no longer decays.
- Charge time reduced by 50%.
Seismic Slam
- Cooldown decreased by 1 second.
Hazard
Developer Comments
Hazard has grown tired of immobilizing opponents, opting instead to experiment with methods of knocking them around.
Jagged Wall
- Jagged Wall Knockback increased by 400%.
- Jagged Wall Cooldown decreased from 12 to 8 seconds.
Junker Queen
Developer Comments
Everyone has become weary of Junker Queen‘s constant shouting and begun to disregard her. Consequently, she has become self-centered, hoarding her Commanding Shout buffs exclusively. She also seeks direct confrontation with anyone struck by Gracie.
Jagged Blade
- Can no longer be recalled with Secondary Fire.
- Junker Queen flies towards Gracie while Secondary Fire is held.
Commanding Shout
- No longer affects allies.
- Overhealth increased by 50%.
- Bonus Move Speed increased from 30% to 60%.
Mauga
Developer Comments
Gunny and Cha-Cha will now elevate their Papa, along with anyone tethered to him.
- While airborne and firing both Chainguns simultaneously, Mauga is propelled backward in his aiming direction.
Incendiary Chaingun
- Ammo reduced from 300 to 150.
- Reload Speed increased by 15%.
Volatile Chaingun
- Ammo reduced from 300 to 150.
- Reload Speed increased by 15%.
Overrun
- Can now be used during Cage Fight.
Cage Fight
- Tether is now centered on Mauga and follows him.
- Grants Mauga infinite ammo for the duration.
Orisa
Developer Comments
“I observe you glancing in my direction. Do you desire to ride me into battle?”
- Hanzo can press Interact while near Orisa to ride her into battle, granting Orisa increased movement speed.
Javelin Spin
- Javelin Spin now draws enemies towards Orisa.
Ramattra
Developer Comments
Ramattra has elevated the discourse of battle, along with his adversaries.
Ravenous Vortex
- Now inverts the gravity of all enemies within its radius.
Reinhardt
Developer Comments
Reinhardt recently watched street racing anime and has become so captivated that he has mastered drifting techniques.
Charge
- Cooldown reduced from 7 to 3.5 seconds.
- Turn speed increased by 150%.
- Charge persists until collision with a wall.
Roadhog
Developer Comments
We have acknowledged widespread feedback regarding the inconsistency of Chain Hook over the years, and we hope that deploying three hooks at once enhances its reliability as a lethal tool.
Chain Hook
- Now launches 3 Hooks simultaneously.
Sigma
Developer Comments
Sigma has realized his deviation from Newton’s third law of motion. He reasons that deflecting projectiles blocked by Kinetic Grasp would make him a more law-abiding physicist.
Kinetic Grasp
- Deflects projectiles instead of absorbing them.
- Sigma gains free flight during Kinetic Grasp.
Winston
Developer Comment
“Winston Slam!”
Jump Pack
- Press Crouch to perform a body slam, dealing increased damage upon landing during Jump Pack.
Wrecking Ball
Developer Comment
Hammond has decided to emulate tumbleweeds and snowballs.
- Size reduced by 50%.
- Wrecking Ball gains Overhealth proportional to his size.
Roll
- Damaging enemies during Roll increases Wrecking Ball’s size.
Piledriver
- Area of effect expands based on Wrecking Ball’s size.
Zarya
Developer Comment
Zarya‘s enemies have always feared her combat skills, but now they will also recoil in fear of her reflection.
Particle Cannon
- Primary Fire projectiles now ricochet off enemy heroes and environmental surfaces.
Ashe
Developer Comments
Bob’s arm cannons are undergoing maintenance, but he is now even more eager to engage in close-quarters combat.
Coach Gun
- Increased knockback on enemy heroes and briefly diminishes their air control.
B.O.B.
- B.O.B. no longer fires his weapon.
- B.O.B. now repeatedly dashes towards the closest enemy hero, attempting to knock them airborne.
- Ultimate Cost reduced by 70%.
Bastion
Developer Comments
Bastion has befriended a new companion, conveniently sized like a grenade.
A-36 Tactical Grenade
- Now deploys an explosive training bot.
Configuration Artillery
- Impacts deploy explosive training bots.
Cassidy
Developer Comments
Cassidy recently borrowed Hanzo’s scatter arrow technology and devised a method to manufacture new ammunition employing this tech.
Peacekeeper
- Primary and Secondary Fire projectiles now ricochet three times. Ricocheted bullets inflict enhanced damage.
Echo
Developer Comments
Echo is evaluating advancements in flight technology, though it appears her other capabilities have been impacted.
Tri-Shot
- Now fires Sticky Bombs.
- Damage reduced from 25 to 14.
Sticky Bombs
- Now launches a volley of Tri-Shot projectiles.
- Damage increased from 17 to 20.
Flight
- Flight is now perpetually active.
- Activating Flight now propels Echo a short distance forward.
Focusing Beam
- Now inflicts bonus damage to enemies above 50% health.
Genji
Developer Comments
Genji can once again utilize that irritating emote to self-heal, albeit with potential negative consequences this time.
- Genji can occasionally restore his health by requesting healing via emotes.
- Exercise caution with this feature. Consider this a fair warning.
Hanzo
Developer Comments
It is not an absurd proposition. Hanzo is realizing a long-held aspiration.
Storm Bow
- Fully-charged arrows now ricochet twice.
Storm Arrow
- Each arrow ricochets up to 5 times.
Wall Climb
- While wall climbing, press Reload to adhere yourself to the wall.
Samurai Kishu
- New Passive
- Press Interact while near Orisa to ride her into combat.
- While riding, gain 25% damage reduction.
- While riding, Orisa controls Hanzo’s movement.
- While riding, experience a 20% increase in coolness.
Junkrat
Developer Comments
Junkrat has such an affinity for explosions that he has resolved to become one himself.
Concussive Mine
- Can now deploy up to 5 mines simultaneously.
- Maximum damage reduced by 50%.
- Max charges increased to 5.
- Cooldown reduced to 4 seconds.
RIP-Tire
- Junkrat becomes invisible and untargetable while deploying Riptire.
- Junkrat teleports to Riptire upon its detonation.
- Junkrat perishes if the Riptire is destroyed.
Mei
Developer Comments
The cold no longer troubles Mei, but it may discomfort her adversaries.
Cyro-Freeze
- Now generates a miniature Blizzard effect.
- Mei can now move while in Cryo-Freeze.
Moira
Developer Comments
Corrected an oversight where Moira was mistakenly categorized as a Support Hero and eliminated all unintended healing capabilities. We appreciate your patience while resolving this longstanding, seven-year-old issue that has hindered Moira mains from achieving their full damage potential.
- Role reassigned to Damage.
- Now possesses Damage role passive abilities.
- No longer possesses Support role passive abilities.
Biotic Grasp
- Primary fire no longer heals, instead inflicts damage.
Biotic Orb
Coalescence
Pharah
Developer Comment
Pharah now offers her enemies an exhilarating rocket-propelled journey.
Rocket Launcher
- Direct hits now inflict increased damage against airborne enemies.
Jet Dash
- Draws nearby enemies along with Pharah during the dash.
Jump Jet
- Draws nearby enemies along with Pharah upon activation.
Reaper
Developer Comment
Talon became displeased with Reaper‘s extravagant shotgun expenditure and has restricted his weapon budget until he demonstrates improved resource management.
Hellfire Shotguns
- Reaper can no longer reload and discards his shotguns upon emptying their ammo capacity.
- Discarded shotguns must be retrieved to replenish ammo.
- Movement Speed increased by 25% when ammunition is depleted.
- Picking up shotguns temporarily increases attack speed.
- Note: Melee attacks become challenging without shotguns.
Sojourn
Developer Comment
Railgun can now be overcharged to inflict greater damage. WARNING: Okoton Kelvin-87 Railgun’s recoil dampeners are not rated for high energy payloads.
Raingun
- Maximum charge capacity is now 300%.
- Railgun Secondary Fire inflicts augmented damage above 100% charge.
- Railgun Secondary Fire propels Sojourn backward if discharged above 100% charge.
Soldier: 76
Developer Comment
Soldier: 76, with his characteristic stubbornness, insists he requires no assistance and can still outpace anyone on the battlefield.
- Soldier 76 can no longer visualize allied or enemy health bars, including his own.
- Passive healing initiates more quickly and provides significantly accelerated healing.
Sprint
- Running speed increased by 100%.
Sombra
Developer Comment
Sombra is exploiting a memory leak, and the sole method to neutralize her is by pressing Alt+F4.
Hack
- Hacking enemies confers a stacking buff (maximum 10 stacks) of movement speed and magazine size.
- Stacks are lost upon death.
Symmetra
Developer Comments
Symmetra is showcasing the latest Vishkar fashions on her allies: turrets! She has also exchanged her conventional weapon for a new, overcharged tank-busting gun.
Photon Projector
- Primary Fire now inflicts damage based on the target’s maximum health.
- Secondary Fire charge time reduced.
Sentry Turret
- Turret health increased by 50%.
- Cooldown reduced by 40%.
- Projectile speed increased by 100%.
- Turrets can now adhere to allies.
Torbjörn
Developer Comments
Torbjörn’s turret merely requires some hammering to attain its maximum potential.
Deploy Turret
- Turret can be Overhealed by Forge Hammer.
- When Overhealed, Turret gains increased size, damage, and health.
Tracer
Developer Comments
Reinhardt instructed Tracer on executing short-distance charges, provided she remains sufficiently low to the ground.
Blink
- Blinking while crouching now results in collision with enemies.
- Colliding with enemies inflicts damage and knockback.
Venture
Developer Comments
Venture grew weary of subterranean work. We trust you will appreciate these modifications.
Burrow
- Can now achieve flight while burrowed.
- Emerge charge duration can be extended for a more potent effect.
Widowmaker
Developer Comments
Widowmaker has mastered the art of ensnaring prey within her webbing.
Grappling Hook
- Can now ensnare enemy heroes, inflicting damage and granting Widowmaker Overhealth.
Quick Melee
- The initial successful melee attack after grappling a hero with Grappling Hook inflicts bonus damage.
Ana
Developer Comment
We have received feedback from Ana players indicating that teammates disregard their reload status announcements and subsequently rush into enemy lines anyway. We anticipate this adjustment will encourage teammates to pay closer attention to their Support teammates’ status.
Biotic Rifle
- Magazine size reduced from 15 to 1.
- Reload speed increased by 25%.
- Damage and healing increased from 75 to 150.
Baptiste
Developer Comment
Baptiste has recently discovered classic retro platformer video games, which have now become his sole preoccupation.
Exo Boots
- Press Crouch while airborne to stomp upon enemies.
Brigitte
Developer Comments
Mace to the face proved highly effective, prompting Brigitte to experiment with her shield as well.
Shield Bash
Shield Throw
- New Ability.
- Shield Throw launches Brigitte’s Shield, stunning and ricocheting between enemies.
Rally
- During Rally, Shield Throw can strike a greater number of enemies.
Illari
Developer Comment
Illari, frustrated by allies positioned beyond her healing range, has adjusted her rifle accordingly.
Solar Rifle
- Primary Fire now heals allies and does not inflict damage.
- Secondary Fire now damages enemies and does not heal allies.
- Secondary Fire range increased by 50%.
Juno
Developer Comment
We rectified an issue where allies and enemies were not consistently being “welcomed into orbit” as her Ultimate voice line suggests.
Quick Melee
Oribital Ray
- Reverses gravity for all allies and enemies within its effect area.
Kiriko
Developer Comment
Kiriko has diverted some of her swiftness into attack speed. What potential complications could arise?
Swift Step
- Swift Step now grants Kiriko overhealth and enhanced attack speed, but she can no longer select her teleport target.
Lifeweaver
Developer Comment
Exercise caution, as you definitely do not want Lifeweaver to become a persistent annoyance.
Thorn Volley
- Projectiles now lock onto and pursue enemies.
- Projectiles per shot reduced from 2 to 1.
- Rate of fire reduced by 35%.
- Projectile speed reduced by 70%.
- When sufficient projectiles strike an enemy, they detonate, inflicting 160 damage.
Lúcio
Developer Comments
“Can’t stop, won’t stop.”
Wall Ride
- Lúcio progressively gains increased Move, Reload, and Attack Speed while wall-riding.
- Buffs from Wall Ride persist for several seconds after ground contact.
Mercy
Developer Comment
Mercy’s new pistol is analogous to a loot box… its contents remain unpredictable.
Caduceus Blaster
- Now fires projectiles with random properties.
Zenyatta
Developer Comment
“We are all unified within the multitude of googly irises.”
Orb of Destruction
- Now launches sticky googly eyes instead of traditional orbs.
- Damage reduced by 25%.
- Attack Speed increased by 50%.