Blizzard has released the details on the latest changes coming to the Overwatch PTR, and one of the highlights is that Capture the Flag is becoming a mainstay, moving onto Arcade and losing the Rooster (unfortunately).
"Capture the Rooster has been, without a doubt, Overwatch's most popular brawl," the notes say. "We don't want that excitement to end, so we're bringing Capture the Flag to the Arcade as an ongoing game mode. Starting today, we're adding Capture-the-Flag versions of Nepal, Lijiang Tower, Ilios, and Oasis, which gives you 12 maps to try when creating a Custom Game."
Server Browser is also being introduced, allowing players to adjust the setting on modes, heroes, and maps, to create a custom server. What this means is that you can increase things like Pharah's missile speed (an example Blizzard used). You can also limit the amount of people joining your game by making it invite only or friends only too, although if you want your custom settings to be public you can do that as well. Blizzard are looking to test this part in particular with the PTR, so they can apply this feedback later on.
As with any Blizzard update, the heroes have been tweaked, and with Ana you have the option for adjusting the Nano Boost's targeting sensitivity. Also, there's now no minimum distance things need to travel before being destroyed by D.Va's Defense Matrix, and Mei can now be targeted by allies while in Cryo-Freeze. More heroes like Sombra, Mercy, and Zenyatta are also changed, and these can be seen in the notes.
Bastion is facing the most changes, however, as he is being buffed. Firstly, in regards to Sentry configuration, the deploy time has decreased from one and a half to one second, bullet spread has gone up 50% (and is always at maximum, instead of increasing as the weapon is used), magazine size has been increased to 300, headshot damage multiplier is gone, and critical damage cannot be dealt.
In terms of Recon mode, bullet spread has instead gone down 25%, and magazine size increased from 20 to 25. Also, self-repair can now be used while moving, is now bound to secondary fire (it used to be ability 2), is no longer interrupted by taking damage, and a new resource meter has been added, which depletes while Self-Repair is active, recharging when unused.
Lastly, with the Tank configuration, no bonus armour is granted any more, and a new passive ability called Ironclad has been added, in which you take 35% less damage while in Sentry OR Tank mode.
"The goal of these changes is to move some of Bastion's power from Configuration: Sentry to Recon, while keeping its sentry mode a strong option, especially versus tanks and barriers. Overall, Bastion should feel stronger and more flexible with these changes," the developers commented.
Eichenwalde also faces some changes as well, as the second gate doesn't close when the payload passes it, and instead rubble from the doorway blocks the entrance, but only partially. "Once the offensive team gets through the castle entrance, the map becomes very heavily stacked in the defense's favor. This change will give the offense more entrance options, which should improve the map's overall balance," Blizzard said.
As with all updates there's also plenty of bug fixes too. Players have expressed concerns that buffing Bastion could be dangerous as he could become overpowered. Do you think these changes are reasonable, or could they make him too OP?