As the Overwatch Contenders playoffs commenced, participating teams reportedly gained access to a testing phase for the forthcoming balance adjustments aimed at Illari. This pre-release testing aimed to enable teams to familiarize themselves with the changes and refine their strategies accordingly.
The revealed alterations sparked considerable discussion and concern among the teams, with some expressing reservations about allowing the hero to remain playable in the game. However, insights from British main tank player JkAru19 indicated that the planned nerfs are "less impactful than the ones already planned."
Subsequent to this insight, an individual known as 'varuna' - recognized for their leaks related to the game - shared screenshots purportedly displaying the original set of nerfs. This leak provides a glimpse into the development team's intentions before these changes are formally integrated into an upcoming game patch.
Details of the Original Illari Nerfs
As per varuna's leaks, the developers had specifically honed in on Illari's Healing Pylon, intending to decrease its output by ten while simultaneously reducing its shield health by 25.
Turning attention to her Captive Sun ultimate ability, the proposed changes aimed to reduce the Sunstruck effect's duration from 7 seconds to 5, alongside shortening the slow decay duration from 7 to 4.
Interpreting the Leaked Changes
It's important to acknowledge that the current state of these adjustments might differ from the leaked information. Given the leak's accuracy, we can speculate on the developers' intended direction.
The Healing Pylon nerfs may have been modified or discarded, with the team potentially focusing solely on the Captive Sun adjustments. Alternatively, the overall severity of the nerfs could have been tempered.
On a related note, teams reportedly remarked that the nerfs seemed "less impactful than previously stated." This feedback raises the possibility that the changes might be implemented as originally detailed, and the professionals may have miscalculated the extent of the nerfs' influence.
Ultimately, the conclusive verdict on these changes will emerge when Illari enters the competitive arena next week, joining the game's roster and revealing the impact of the evolved adjustments.
