Looks like D.Va is about to eat her words yet again. Geoff Goodman took to the Blizzard forums to announce that the popular character’s Defense Matrix ability would be getting nerfed. All is not lost however, as the new update for D.Va will also introduce a new Micro Missile ability.
Talking specifics, D.Va’s Defense Matrix ability will be receiving a 50% decrease, effectively reducing the time players can have it up. Encounters with the opposing team will now force players to use D.Va’s shield ability more sparingly, requiring players to think out each and every skirmish going forward.
To balance things out, D.Va’s new Micro Missiles ability will give the mech-equipped heroine an aggressive boost in offence. D.Va will now be able to launch a salvo of small missiles that explode on impact. This new ability can be used in conjunction with her dual fusion cannons, transforming D.Va into a more offensive character.
Below is a copy of Goodman’s post from the official Blizzard forums:
“Defense Matrix: Energy drain increased by 2x. This means her effective uptime for this ability has been reduced by 50%.
Boosters: D.Va can now use her Fusion Cannons while flying.
New ability: Micro Missiles: D.Va launches a long salvo of small missiles that explode on impact, dealing damage in a small radius around them. This ability can be used while using her other abilities or firing her Fusion Cannons.
The combination of these changes allow her to play more aggressively and deal more damage at the cost of not being able to Defense Matrix as often as before. Defense Matrix still remains an extremely powerful tool when timed correctly, but the reduced uptime means D.Va won’t be able to use it nearly as often.
Her new Micro Missiles ability in combination with her ability to fire while flying allows for some more aggressive play, as well as opening up some new options against heroes such as Pharah.
Overall the goal here is to reduce her reliance on Defense Matrix and make her more fun to play. As far as balancing goes, we want to nerf Defense Matrix as an ability, not D.Va as a hero.
She has been a ton of fun to play with these changes, and we’re looking forward to letting you guys play with them as well. Hopefully we’ll have a new PTR up soon!”
