Overwatch 2’s Season 18 marks the arrival of several new features, additions, and changes to gameplay. This includes a series of new hero perks in Overwatch 2, as well as a number of them that are being changed or taken away. If you find yourself curious about all the new and changed Hero Perks in Overwatch 2, all relevant information has been explained in the guide below.
Overwatch 2: All New & Changed Perks in Season 18
Overwatch 2’s Season 18 marks the most significant change to Perks since they were first introduced into the game. Not only are several Perks being changed or removed from their heroes, but over fifty new additions have been implemented for players to experience – as announced in the Season 18 Patch Notes.
A complete breakdown of every Overwatch 2 hero and their Perk changes has been outlined below:
Press Reload to reduce Fusion Cannon’s spread by 75% for 3 seconds
Doomfist
Perk Changes
One-Two Minor Perk changed:
Now updated to where hitting an enemy into a wall with Rocket Punch reloads Hand Cannon and overfills ammo by 2
Seismic Empowerment Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Aftershock
Major Perk
Enemies hit by Seismic Slam are slowed by 30% for 1.5 seconds
Power Matrix
Major Perk
Damage absorbed during Power Matrix now provides equivalent Empowered Punch amount to Power Block
Hazard
Perk Changes
Off the Top Minor Perk removed
Deep Leap Major Perk turned into a Minor Perk
Violent Leap’s range is now only increased by 15% (down from 20%)
Anarchic Zeal Major Perk turned into a Minor Perk
Spike Guard’s spikes now only gain 25% lifesteal (down from 40%)
Reconstitution Minor Perk changed into a Major Perk
Now drains additional resource before base resource
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Explosive Impalements
Major Perk
Bonespur hits mark targets with spikes. Quick Melee and Violent Leap’s Slash detonate them for 40 explosive damage
Junker Queen
Perk Changes
Rending Recall Minor Perk removed
Deep Wounds Major Perk removed
Willy Willy:
When recalling Jagged Blade, its radius is increased by 100% and it deals 30 additional impact damage
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Rampant Charge
Minor Perk
Gain Unstoppable and refresh all cooldowns when using Rampage
Mauga
Perk Changes
Two Hearts Minor Perk Removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Pyromaniac
Minor Perk
Igniting enemies with Incendiary Chaingun grants 50 overhealth
Orisa
Perk Changes
Heat Dissipator Minor Perk removed
Fleeting Bulwark Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Defense Protocol
Minor Perk
Regenerate 100 health per second while charging Terra Surge
Mobile Fortification
Minor Perk
While Fortify is active, Orisa has no move speed reduction and no heat generation
Ramattra
Perk Changes
Prolonged Barrier Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Relentless Form
Minor Perk
While Nemesis Form is active, eliminations extend the duration by 1 second, half that during Annihilation
Reinhardt
Perk Changes
Crusader’s Resolve Minor Perk removed
Crushing Victory Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Barrier Re-Charge
Minor Perk
Distance travelled while using Charge regenerates your Barrier Field by 150 per second
Ignited Fury
Major Perk
For each enemy you hit with Fire Strike, gain 2 seconds of 25% increased attack speed
Roadhog
Perk Changes
Pent Up Minor Perk removed
Hogdrogen Exposure Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Shrapnel Launcher
Minor Perk
Extend the range of Scrap Gun’s secondary fire by 50% and tighten its burst spread by 25%
Pulled Pork
Major Perk
Gain overhealth based on how far you pull enemies with Chain Hook, up to 250
Sigma
Perk Changes
Massive Impact Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Hyper Regeneration
Minor Perk
50% of Hyperspheres’ damage restores Experimental Barrier’s health
Winston
Perk Changes
Short Circuit Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Barrier Toss
Minor Perk
Winston now throws his Barrier Projector forward when used
Wrecking Ball
Perk Changes
Transfer Efficiency Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Adaptive Barrier
Major Perk
Adaptive Barrier generates a 1.4 second barrier on activation, consuming 50 overhealth
Zarya
Perk Changes
Graviton Crush Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Energy Converter
Minor Perk
Hits with Particle Cannon’s secondary fire generate 3 energy
Ashe
Perk Changes
Rapid Fire Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Remote Detonator
Minor Perk
After using Dynamite, pressing E again causes it to detonate after a 0.5 second delay
Bastion
Perk Changes
Smart Bomb Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Configuration Reload
Minor Perk
Refresh the cooldown of A-36 Tactical Grenade when changing configurations
Cassidy
Perk Changes
Quick Draw Minor Perk removed
Bang Bang Major Perk changed into a Minor Perk
Now reduces the damage from both Flashbangs by 40% (up from 30%)
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Silver Bullet
Major Perk
Peacekeeper’s secondary fire is replaced with a piercing shot that inflicts bleeding. Combat Roll and Deadeye reset its cooldown
Echo
Perk Changes
Friendly Imaging Minor Perk removed
Enhanced Duplication Minor Perk removed
Full Salvo Major Perk:
The damage reduction has been removed from all sticky bombs fired
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Focused Rush
Minor Perk
Focusing Beam’s range is increased by 4 meters and movement speed is increased by 10% when active
Partial Scan
Minor Perk
Duplicate starts with 50% of its ultimate charge
Freja
Perk Changes
Frost Bolts Minor Perk removed
Tracking Instinct Minor Perk removed
Ready to Hunt Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Hunters Instinct
Minor Perk
Direct hits with Take Aim reveal enemies to Freja for 3 seconds
Momentum Boost
Minor Perk
Quick Dash distance is increased by 20%
Aerial Recovery
Major Perk
After using Updraft, heal for 30 health per second until Freja touches the ground
Genji
Perk Changes
Acrobatics Minor Perk removed
Enhanced Duplication Minor Perk removed
Blade Twisting Major Perk:
Now Swift Strike deals 25 additional damage over time if the enemy is below half health
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Swift Cuts
Minor Perk
Quick Melee reduces the cooldown of Swift Strike by 3 seconds
Hanzo
Perk Changes
Yamagami Technique Major Perk removed
Scatter Arrows Minor Perk changed into a Major Perk
Now on first ricochet, Storm Arrows split into 5 shots dealing 33% damage and bounce 1 extra time
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Swift Lunge
Minor Perk
Arrow hits reduce the cooldown of Lunge by up to 1 second, based on charge
Junkrat
Perk Changes
Aluminum Frame Minor Perk removed
Tick Tock Major Perk removed
Now on first ricochet, Storm Arrows split into 5 shots dealing 33% damage and bounce 1 extra time
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Mine Recycling
Minor Perk
Killing blows with Concussion Mine restore one charge
Bomb Voyage
Major Perk
After launching with Concussion Mine, Junkrat gains 35% increased attack speed for 3 seconds
Mei
Perk Changes
Biting Cold Minor Perk removed
Permafrost Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Skating Rink
Minor Perk
Allies within Blizzard gain 25% increased movement speed and heal for 50 health per second
Glacial Propulsion
Minor Perk
Double jumping creates a small ice pillar that launches Mei into the air
Pharah
Perk Changes
Concussive Implosion Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Sky Spy
Major Perk
Concussive Blast reveals targets to Pharah for 3 seconds. During this, the next direct Rocket Launcher hit per target deals 30% extra damage
Reaper
Perk Changes
Death’s Shadow Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Shadow Blink
Miinor Perk
Shadow Step’s cast time and cooldown are 25% faster, but the range is reduced by 25%
Sojourn
Perk Changes
Extended Mag Minor Perk removed
Adhesive Siphon Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Deceleration Field
Minor Perk
Enemies hit by Disruptor Shot are slowed by 25%
Friction Generators
Major Perk
While sliding, Power Slide generates up to 50 energy
Soldier: 76
Perk Changes
Field Emergency Minor Perk removed
Stim Pack Major Perk:
Now changed so that Stim Pack replaces Biotic Field and now heals Soldier: 76 for 30 health per second and gains 20% increased attack speed for 5 seconds
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Tactical Salvo
Minor Perk
Helix Rockets cooldown is reduced by 80% during Tactical Visor
Sombra
Perk Changes
White Hat Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Adept Hacker
Major Perk
Hacked health packs provide up to 50 overhealth to Sombra
Symmetra
Perk Changes
Advanced Teleportation Minor Perk removed
Perfect Alignment Major Perk changed to a Minor Perk
Now only increases the range of Photon Projector’s primary fire by 20% regardless of the charge level of the beam
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Hovering Barrier
Major Perk
Teleporter gains the option to create a forward moving barrier instead. Pressing E again slows down the barrier’s movement
Torbjorn
Perk Changes
Craftsman Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Hammer Time
Minor Perk
Move 20% faster while Forge Hammer is equipped
Tracer
Perk Changes
Blast From The Past Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Kinetic Reload
Minor Perk
Melee hits grant 20 ammo
Venture
Perk Changes
Seismic Sense Minor Perk removed
SMART-R Excavator Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Deep Burrow
Mainor Perk
Drill Dash distance is 50% longer while burrowed
SMART Extender
Major Perk
Empower SMART Excavator with E to increase its maximum projectile range by 100% for 4 seconds
Widowmaker
Perk Changes
Focused Aim Minor Perk removed
Deadly Deux Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Sniper’s Instinct
Minor Perk
Scoped shots charge 100% faster for 2 seconds after using Grappling Hook
Seeker Mine
Major Perk
Venom Mine now fires poison darts at enemies within 10 meters and remains active after triggered
Ana
Perk Changes
Shrike Major Perk removed
Biotic Bounce Minor Perk changed into a Major Perk
Now deals 60 damage and healing (up from 25)
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Speed Serum
Minor Perk
Nano Boost grants a 40% movement speed boost to both Ana and her target
Baptiste
Perk Changes
Field Medicine Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Biotic Reloader
Minor Perk
Hitting an entire three-round burst reloads a healing projectile. Healing projectile direct hits reloads 3 primary fire ammo
Brigitte
Perk Changes
Barrier Restoration Minor Perk removed
Quick Fix Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Combat Medic
Minor Perk
Melee attacks reduce the cooldown of Repair Pack by 0.5 seconds
Inspring Strike
Major Perk
Shield Bash grants 30% increased movement speed for 2 seconds. Inspire’s healing is instant when activated by Shield Bash
Illari
Perk Changes
Solar Power Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Solar Flare
Major Perk
Press Primary Fire while using Solar Rifle’s healing beam to consume all energy, healing allies in front of Illari for up to 120 healing
Juno
Perk Changes
Re-boots Minor Perk removed
Master Blaster Major Perk removed
Locked On Major Perk changed into a Minor Perk
Cooldown reduction now 1 second (down from 1.5 seconds)
Faster Blaster Major Perk:
While Glide Boost is active, Mediblaster fires continuously
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Lift Off
Major Perk
Martian Overboots can now triple jump
Kiriko
Perk Changes
Shuffling Major Perk removed
Foxtrot Major Perk:
Projection Suzu now only grants 30% increased movement speed for allies (down from 40%) but now grants 100% increased cooldown recovery
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Ready Step
Major Perk
Swift Step grants Kiriko 40% increased attack and reload speed for 2 seconds
Lifeweaver
Perk Changes
Life Cycle Minor Perk removed
Lifeweaving Major Perk changed into a Minor Perk
Rejuvenating Dash now only adds 20 healing to the next Healing Blossom (down from 40 healing)
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Petal Power
Major Perk
Allies gain 25% attack speed while standing on a raised Petal Platform
Lucio
Perk Changes
Bass Blowout Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Soundwave Rider
Minor Perk
Wall Riding empowers your next Soundwave, increasing its knockback by 25% and damage by 50%
Mercy
Perk Changes
Winged Reach Minor Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Divine Momentum
Minor Perk
Increases Mercy’s travel speed by 15% after cancelling Guardian Angel
Moira
Perk Changes
Vanish Minor Perk removed
Uprush Minor Perk removed
Contamination Major Perk removed
Ethical Nourishment Major Perk changed into a Minor Perk
The instant healing is reduced to 30 (down from 50 healing)
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Destruction’s Divide
Minor Perk
Coalescence can be toggled between pure healing or pure damage, with 25% greater effect
Reversal
Major Perk
Reactivating Biotic Orb reverses its direction
Phantom Step
Major Perk
Fade lasts 0.5 seconds longer and boosts jump height by 50%
Wuyang
Perk Changes / New Perks
Wuyang has newly released with the same Perks from his hero trial, so no changes or new Perk additions have been made.
Zenyatta
Perk Changes
Zenith Kick Minor Perk removed
Duality Major Perk removed
New Perks
Perk Name
Perk Type
Perk Description
Transcendent Condemnation
Minor Perk
While using Transcendence, apply Discord Orb to all enemies within range
Dual Harmony
Major Perk
Gain a 2nd Harmony Orb but they both heal for 70% effectiveness
With a love for fiction and storytelling, Grace has been playing games since childhood and enjoys a range of different genres and titles. Forever obsessed wirh OW2 & Marvel Rivals, as well as anything involving Pokemon, Life is Strange, and Baldur’s Gate 3. Often approaches games with impulsive chaotic decisions, making things far more difficult than they need to be. But hey, sometimes that makes for a good story.
