We now know the details of Symmetra’s second Overwatch rework

With Hanzo’s new and reworked kit available to play on the Public Test Realm, everyone has been looking to Symmetra. She’s the only hero who has never been played in the Overwatch League, and her first rework wasn’t able to solve her problems of being too slow, too ultimate dependent, and too reliant on her team. The second rework is starting to take shape, and developer Geoff Goodman stepped onto the forums to share what’s happening.

As always, this work is in development and is subject to change at any time. The full post, with all of the context, can be found here.

The first thing to note is that Symmetra’s teleporter—much like Mercy’s resurrect—is moving to a standard ability and losing a lot of its power. Here’s how Symmetra’s teleporter, now on E, works on Blizzard’s internal tests.

The teleporter now works as follows: You place the exit like you normally do, except that you can place it up to 25 meters away, instead of only right in front of you. When you place the exit, the entrance automatically gets built right in front of you instead of at your spawn. It lasts only a short time but allies can use it freely as they normally do, but there are some new things that can teleport as well. We’re experimenting with what works and what doesn’t but currently you can teleport things such as Torbjorn turrets, D.Va’s exploding mech, Junkrat tire, etc. This has lead to some sneaky/fun plays that are really unique to her. It also allows you to get onto high ground on offense with a comp that might otherwise have trouble doing so. The health has been lowered to 300 and the entrance is now attackable as well. If either die, the other is destroyed as well.

This is pretty sweet — it turns the teleporter from an eternally present problem until the entire team uses it or it’s destroyed into a short-term, highly volatile gameplay option. A whole team can pour through... or an exploding D.Va MEKA. Or a RIP Tire! Truly, the teleporter is capable of bringing everything. Symmetra can now project the teleporter entrance, so it’ll be interesting to see some of the teleporter points players can claim and how that affects the game.

Her Photon Barrier, added with her first rework, is also getting a major promotion.

Her Photon Barrier has moved to her ultimate and is now very different as well. Instead of placing a moving barrier, she places a static barrier wall that effectively is infinite in size and has 5000 health. She places this wall much like Mei places her Ice Wall, which means you can place it at some range and you can also change the orientation.

After Symmetra’s rework, there’s one more mystery hero up on the rework schedule. Torbjorn will also go under the knife and receive a rework. Symmetra is the first hero to receive two reworks; hopefully this new Symmetra with a flexible teleporter and giant, inexorable shield wall is what the game needs and we can see her in games of all skill levels. Yes, even in the Overwatch League.