Summary
Overwatch 2has received a hotfix update that nerfs Freja in Stadium mode. While many fans were calling for this nerf, the new patch still caught someOverwatch 2players off-guard, mainly due to the manner in which it was deployed.
Stadium is a new game mode introduced inOverwatch 2Season 16, which kicked off in late April 2025. It features two five-player teams competing in a best-of-seven series. Compared to the traditionalOverwatch 2experience, the new mode allows players to earn Stadium Cash used for upgrading heroes.
Freja’s cash-generation ability was hit with a significant nerf on Friday, May 23, when Blizzard rolled out its latestOverwatch 2hotfix update. The patch reduces Freja’s Stadium Cash generation by 25%, with the change affecting both damage- and healing-made income. Theofficial changelogaccompanying the update characterizes the nerf as a conscious effort to reduce Freja’s ability to snowball in Stadium. Freha’s Lille Faelde power—allowing her to fire a Bola Shot with Take Aim after using Updraft—has also been removed from Stadium as part of the nerf.
Some Overwatch 2 Players Were Hit With the Freja Nerf Mid-Game
While a subset of the fandom complained about Freja feeling overpowered in Stadium mode in the past, the nerf has still caught someOverwatch 2playersoff-guard. That reaction was largely due to how the update was deployed: as a live hotfix without a server restart. This led to unexpected situations, such as Lille Faelde being disabled mid-match. One such instance was reported by Reddit user Abc0w, who recently shared two replay codes showing that the nerf hit them between the fourth and fifth rounds of their match. Dozens of fans reacting to their report claimed to have had a similar experience.
Overwatch 2 Making More Freja Stadium Changes Next Week
The newly deployed nerf is not the end of Blizzard’s efforts to rebalance Freja in Stadium mode. According to the developer’s latest patch notes, “a targeted set of changes” is planned for release during the week of May 26. The update will adjust the uptime ofFreja’s Bola build inOverwatch 2Stadium modeand tweak her crowd control effectiveness. Some of her “weaker options” will also be buffed, Blizzard said, albeit without sharing any specifics.
Reflecting on the new changes, Blizzard acknowledged that Freja could feel extremely overpowered when ahead in Stadium mode due to her high damage ceiling. While someOverwatch 2players welcomed the hotfix on social media, others argued that Freja should have been completely disabled from Stadium until Blizzard finished working on her set of rebalancing changes.
Overwatch 2 Hotfix Balance Update (Jul 02, 2025) Patch Notes
Stadium Mode Changes: Freja
Developer Comments: Freja is a hero with a very high damage ceiling, which can feel especially powerful in Stadium when ahead. We’re lowering her economy gain from damage to reduce the consistency and speed at which Freja can snowball in Stadium. We’ll be making a more targeted set of changes next week, including looking at the crowd control effectiveness and uptime of the Bola build and improving some of her weaker options.
