Overwatch PTR update silently buffs deadly D.Va and Symmetra combo
Blizzzard EntertainmentAn undocumented change on the Overwatch PTR appears to have buffed the combo of D.Va’s Self-Destruct and Symmetra’s teleporter.
D.Va’s self-destruct can be one of the most devastating ultimates in the game when it catches enemies unawares, capable of wiping out an entire team.
To balance its destructive power, however, the self-destruct has several limitations. It’s relatively slow moving, has a predictable trajectory once set off, is very easy to keep track of and allows several seconds for enemies to react between the voice line that warns of it and the actual explosion.
As a result, experienced players should be quite accustomed to playing around the self-destruct, either by having a tank block it or simply moving out of range. Massive self-destruct multi-kills are therefore much less common than they were in the early days of Overwatch.
There are still tricks that can be used to increase the odds of landing a big self-destruct, however, and one of the most powerful involves combining with Symmetra. In her current form, Symmetra can place teleporters much more frequently than when it was her ultimate ability, and these can be used to transport the exploding mech behind enemy lines to catch them unawares.
D.Va’s self-destruct is incredibly powerful, but enemies can often avoid it.The latest update to the Overwatch Public Test Realm (PTR) featured an update to Symmetra designed to make it easier for her to place her teleporter, but there also seems to have been another undisclosed change that affects this particular interaction.
On the live servers, sending a self-destruct through a Symmetra portal will result in it continuing its trajectory in exactly the same direction on the other end. On the PTR, however, the bomb now flies out vertically.
Overwatch player u/AndyGMB, who has a reputation for identifying creative spots and tactics, demonstrated the change in the latest PTR update.
It’s not exactly clear whether this is an intended update or a bug, but it’s arguably a buff to this combination. Sending D.Va’s self-destruct into the sky is often a better play, as it’s harder for Reinhardts to cover their teammates when the explosion is above them, and moving their shield skywards leaves them exposed from all angles.
As this is the PTR, Blizzard still have time to adjust this interaction with the teleporter before the change hits the live servers, but as it stands the combo could soon be even more deadly than before.