Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Marathon destroyer runner shell using shield to block explosive
FPS Games Overwatch lead says using Steam player counts to dunk on Marathon is "big unemployed, maidenless behavior"
A close up of a blue woman Runner during the Marathon game PS5 reveal.
FPS Games Marathon's battle pass slammed as the "worst value for your money" as limits on cosmetics remind players of Destiny 2
Marathon Triage runner shell throwing out medic drone
FPS Games New Marathon patch seemingly makes the whole game a touch easier as Bungie nerfs UESC enemies, to fans' relief
Screenshot of Overwatch hero Domina, a woman in a sleek business suit and black hair, holding a futuristic gun while smirking into the camera.
FPS Games Overwatch's 69.1% ban rate for Jetpack Cat will surprise "absolutely no one," but Domina haters need to get good
Helldivers 2
Co-op Games Helldivers 2 support agent says "there's no balance team" at Arrowhead because "it's all a team effort"
Overwatch x Project YoRHa
FPS Games Overwatch's Nier collab is here, but with no voice lines and a price higher than the action RPG, players aren't happy
A screenshot of Fortnite's Jonesy looking serious.
Battle Royale Games Fortnite faces backlash over V-Bucks price increase, but Epic lead argues it helps devs keep "building stuff you love"
FPS Games Overwatch is only in "the beginning of a comeback," lead says, as Blizzard plans to keep "making the best game" for fans
Arc Raiders Bettina assault rifle on dark blue background
Third Person Shooters "The highest PvE damage output of any weapon" in Arc Raiders was from the Bettina, and that was before its buff
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft After cutting down WoW classes, Blizzard "heard loud and clear from players that it was not what they were looking for"
FPS Games Overwatch co-creator says he left Blizzard after an exec threatened to lay off 1000 devs based on the game's performance
Arc Raiders characters standing together
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders patch nerfs Hurricane Caches so you can't just "walk away from every session" with an armful of blueprints
Jetpack Cat flying through the air
FPS Games Blizzard plans to nerf Overwatch's Jetpack Cat as the hero suffers from constant bans: "She can be very, very lethal"
Nier Automata
FPS Games With Nier Automata, Overwatch is collecting JRPG crossovers like Infinity Stones, but fans aren't happy with the skins
Arc Raiders trailer screenshot of a man's face in red lighting
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders devs "understand your frustrations" with Wolfpack nerf and new crafting recipes, but are changing nothing
  1. Games
  2. Overwatch

And now it's D.Va's turn to be nerfed in Overwatch and players aren't happy

News
By Leon Hurley published 6 January 2017

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Nerfing Roadhog's hook in Overwatch I get, because that thing was nasty. However, I didn't have a problem with D.Va, she was just the right amount of heavy handed fragility for me - dangerous but defeatable. 

However, Overwatch has tweaked both her and Ana as well, and while people are fine with the latter (her biotic grenade's healing boost has has been decreased by 50%), D.Va's changes have gone down... less well. 

This is what's happening to the character: 

You may like
  • Anran in Overwatch 2 Blizzard yields, new Overwatch hero Anran will be redesigned after players complained about everyone looking like Kiriko
  • Jetpack Cat flying through the air Blizzard declaws Overwatch terror Jetpack Cat in a new hotfix, but gives new heroes like Emre and Anran some needed TLC
  • Jetpack Cat flying through the air Blizzard plans to nerf Overwatch's Jetpack Cat as the hero suffers from constant bans: "She can be very, very lethal"
  • Health increased from 200 to 400
  • Armor decreased from 400 to 200
  • Fusion Cannons Bullet damage decreased from 3 to 2
  • Number of bullets per shot has been increased from 8 to 11

According to developer comments, "D.Va’s armor often made her feel like she had no weaknesses, even against heroes that are often effective against bigger targets (like Reaper). The changes to her Fusion Cannons will result in a small overall decrease in damage, but they should feel more consistent now."

Overwatch fans are not happy. This comment below sums up the overall vibe:  

General consensus is that D.Va's combination of armour and short range is what made her work. "Her survivability was the only thing holding her kit together, as it allowed her to get into enemy's face. If D.Va cant survive getting into enemies faces, it makes her gun, which is meant for close range useless," points out the top rated comment on that thread. 

Most discussions start with titles like "Did the D.Va nerf go too far?" while other posts break down the maths and suggest the changes won't really help any issues felt by average players, only damage the character's use as high/competitive level - "Unfortunately, this nerf will do little to address these concerns [her effectiveness in mid-tier games]. It will, in all likelihood, simply ruin D.Va's high competitive and pro pick-rates," argues this breakdown. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Twitter's less articulate but the concerns are pretty clearly communicated: 

@perfectdeIusion d.va did not need a damage nerf pic.twitter.com/pqIAh9XzjgJanuary 6, 2017

@Muscle_of_Erazo @PlayOverwatch LMAO okay you obviously don't know how serious of a change it is. Nobody thinks this nerf is fair.January 6, 2017

Me when they nerf D.VA pic.twitter.com/eei9YtdZZYJanuary 6, 2017

What do you think about the D.Va patch? 

Seen something newsworthy? Tell us!

CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox One PS4 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Leon Hurley
Leon Hurley
Social Links Navigation
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.

Read more
Anran in Overwatch 2
Blizzard yields, new Overwatch hero Anran will be redesigned after players complained about everyone looking like Kiriko
 
 
Jetpack Cat flying through the air
Blizzard declaws Overwatch terror Jetpack Cat in a new hotfix, but gives new heroes like Emre and Anran some needed TLC
 
 
Jetpack Cat flying through the air
Blizzard plans to nerf Overwatch's Jetpack Cat as the hero suffers from constant bans: "She can be very, very lethal"
 
 
Deadlock Celeste
Deadlock icon Celeste survives first round of nerfs, with fans hoping Valve's "slap on the wrist" isn't the last
 
 
Overwatch x Project YoRHa
Overwatch's Nier collab is here, but with no voice lines and a price higher than the action RPG, players aren't happy
 
 
Screenshot of Overwatch's Anran hero, a woman dressed in orange holding a flaming fan, smirking into the camera.
New Overwatch actor addresses the "elephant in the room," says she had to "mourn" her character's redesign
 
 
Latest in Games
The Adventures of Elliot
Oh, the Octopath Traveler creators' new action RPG is "filled with cats," and suddenly it's the only game I care about
 
 
A woman in witchy garb surrounded by crows and dead trees in Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert's first PS5 Pro footage looks promising but Steam suddenly warns of Denuvo DRM
 
 
A woman in an underwater suit receiving a danger warning during the trailer for Subnautica 2.
Subnautica 2 devs say new base-building system uses "techniques that haven't been used in games in this way before"
 
 
Hades 2 character Dora, a feminine appearing shade with a grey face and long teal hair, smirking
Hades 2 studio doesn't want to make bigger and better games, but titles that might "be someone's favorite game from us"
 
 
Key art for Solasta 2.
"We're 2 different beasts": Studio behind CRPG Solasta 2 bought their team copies of Baldur's Gate 3 and they "love" it
 
 
Slay the Spire 2 character in a skull mask looking shocked
Slay the Spire 2 players are torn on one Elite who can break your deck, but whose "debuff will be more of a buff"
 
 
Latest in News
The Adventures of Elliot
Oh, the Octopath Traveler creators' new action RPG is "filled with cats," and suddenly it's the only game I care about
 
 
Family Guy characters sitting on a couch and watching TV in a screenshot from the show
Family Guy is getting a Stewie spin-off that sounds a lot like The Magic School Bus, and we're as confused as you are
 
 
Michael Johnston as Bear and Inde Navarrette as Nikki in Obsession
You'll wish you'd been ghosted after watching the new trailer for upcoming horror movie Obsession
 
 
A woman in witchy garb surrounded by crows and dead trees in Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert's first PS5 Pro footage looks promising but Steam suddenly warns of Denuvo DRM
 
 
Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter staring at each other in prison during the movie The Silence of the Lambs.
Hannibal creator says his "dream" Silence of the Lambs adaptation is "still out there in the universe"
 
 
A woman in an underwater suit receiving a danger warning during the trailer for Subnautica 2.
Subnautica 2 devs say new base-building system uses "techniques that haven't been used in games in this way before"
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling and Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter staring at each other in prison during the movie The Silence of the Lambs.
    1
    Hannibal creator says his "dream" Silence of the Lambs adaptation is "still out there in the universe" and that Zendaya remains his top pick for Clarice Starling: "[She'd] bring a completely different temperature"
  2. 2
    Console and PC players trade hope and despair while they await Crimson Desert, as first PS5 Pro footage looks promising but Steam suddenly warns of Denuvo DRM
  3. 3
    You'll wish you'd been ghosted after watching the new trailer for upcoming horror movie Obsession
  4. 4
    Running the Curse of Strahd D&D campaign? I highly recommend these additions
  5. 5
    Fans agree that new Lego Tintin set is an "Instant-buy"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...