Overwatch 2 Pharah rework explained: New ability, movement changes, more

Overwatch 2 Season 9 patch notes finally revealed Pharah’s rework. With a new ability and a major change in her horizontal movement, Pharah players will need to figure out new strategies with her limited time in the air. Here’s Overwatch Season 9 Pharah rework explained.

Overwatch 2 Season 9 just introduced players to the long-awaited Pharah rework, where Blizzard shifted her on-air abilities and granted some major buffs to her horizontal movement.

According to the latest patch notes, devs are trying to make her less reliant on heroes like Mercy, and enabling a new ability that might help her to be more effective at higher-ranked matches. “This more active Pharah means a healthier game and offers new levels of skill expression,” described Blizzard.

Here is everything you need to know about the Overwatch 2 Season 9 Pharah rework, including her brand-new ability.

Pharah rework in Overwatch 2 Season 9

Overwatch 2 Season 9 will see Pharah get a new ability, some buffs to her damage, and some changes to the way she moves. 

While Pharah’s rework is not the same overhaul Sombra got in Overwatch 2 Season 7, players who like using her will likely need to relearn how to use her movement abilities. Here’s a guide to Pharah’s rework confirmed by Overwatch 2 Season 9 patch notes: 

• Health increased from 200 to 250.

Rocket Launcher

• Recovery reduced from 0.85 to 0.80 seconds.
• Projectile speed increased from 35 to 40 meters per second.
• Explosion self-damage reduced from 50% to 25%.

Jet Dash

• New Secondary Fire Ability.
• Provides a quick horizontal boost in the direction Pharah is moving.
• 8-second cooldown.
• Added a setting to activate Jet Dash on Double Jump instead.

Jump Jet

• Now restores 50% of Hover Jets fuel and can briefly overfill the maximum fuel amount.
• Vertical boost height reduced by 20%.
• Cooldown increased from 10 to 14 seconds.

Concussive Blast

• Cooldown decreased from 9 to 7 seconds.
• Explosion now deals 30 damage to enemy targets.
• Explosion radius reduced from 8 to 6 meters.
• Knockback reduced by 10%.

Barrage

• Now instantly refills Hover Jets fuel.

Hover Jets

• Speed boost increased from 20% to 40%.
• Now requires landing to recharge fuel.
• Can now be activated without fuel to slow your descent.

In the meantime, you can check out more Overwatch 2 guides below.

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